There is a myriad of reasons why someone would get a tattoo. Many of them blur the line between personal and social. I have no doubt some people get tattoos because they desire a certain aesthetic - to be part of a trend. However, I strongly believe most people want something permanent and meaningful that they can look to for strength while also appreciating it as an art form.
It is a there own way of expressing what they care about, what they love and what they stand for. Now the argument would be that there are other ways to do this. That's fine, people can agree to disagree. For me, I want tattoos because I'm seeking permanence and somewhere to look for strength. To me its worth exploring.
I want the lyrics to a song by my favorite band (Beach Slang - you should all know this by now) that say "We are not alone - We are not mistakes". I want it with a biological heart as the image surrounded by the lyrics. For me, it is a constant reminder because often times I drift into the feeling that we are mistakes, and that I am frighteningly alone in this world.
That there is no point to doing anything and therefore I should give up. So to put that on my bicep, to look at it every day and have it as a part of my being, is important to me. I don't believe in fate and I don't believe in God but I still believe that who I am today is no mistake and I was raised to make a difference. And those people who raised me, and those who befriended and mentored me are why I am not alone. sometimes I just need a reminder.
Again, we are back to the argument of "well there are other ways you could do that" such as getting a sign that says that and hanging it in the house, or writing it in a notebook, etcetera. But for me I want it to be permanent, to be an extension of myself.
They are words I live by and although it may not be for everyone, I want them on my body. The common refrain from people who don't like tattoos is that people will change their minds and not want it when they are older. But a phrase like that, something that I can live by, will never get old.
Now I don't have a tattoo, and it will probably be some time before I can have one. But as someone who respects the hell out of tattoo artists and the people that have them, and someone who wants many in the future, I feel like its worth standing up against the prevailing perception. It isn't silly, or a fad or something people do to give the middle finger to the man (well it may be for some). Also, its okay to disagree with any of this, it may just not be your preference. But for me, and others, it's just an artistic expression of beautiful permanence.
