While tattoos have become much more accepted in society, there is still a stigma surrounding them. "You'll never get a professional job." "Why would you permanently do that to your body?" "Does it at least have a good meaning?"

But here's the real truth:

"You'll never get a professional job."

As of 2013 (4 years ago!!) Forbes even said that "Tattoos No Longer A Kiss Of Death In The Workplace".

86% of young professionals did not think tattoos reduce the chances of getting a job.

Grooming and your business attire prove to be more important factors in the hiring decision.

People are finally starting to realize that your physical appearance should have no effect on your ability to perform a job.

Why should ink on your skin place a higher importance than your professional skills? Shouldn't a good work ethic, responsibility, and accountability be more important than your own personal dislike of tattoos?

"Why would you permanently do that to your body?"

Why would I permanently put a beautiful piece of art on my body? For that exact reason. Each tattoo is unique. Assuming you're going to a reputable artist, they won't steal other artists' work and will draw you your own unique design. I love the fact that my tattoos are MY tattoos. No one else in the world has exactly the same work. I find it hard to believe that someone who can appreciate art can't appreciate tattoos, because that's precisely what they are.

"Does it at least have a good meaning?"

Why does it matter? Not all my tattoos have a deep meaning, my most recent was simply because I wanted to. You don't owe anyone an explanation for something that you enjoy. If you enjoy it that's enough of a reason.

I currently have four tattoos, one on each shoulder, one on my ankle, and one on my thigh. I love each one of them so much, they're part of my identity. Everyone in my life may not agree with them, but that's okay. It's amazing that people who don't agree with tattoos will be the first to make a comment about someone with tattoos, yet I've never met a person with tattoos who judged people without them.

We should be encouraging people to be unique. To be different. To be unapologetically exactly who they want to be. I embrace that I have chosen a style different than a lot of people would choose. I will never apologize for my tattoos, and neither should anyone else.