Starting at the age of 18, there are some people who chose to get tattoos. This rite of passage has been in practice for thousands of years and has allowed people to permanently decorate their bodies. Over the years, tattooing has transformed and gone through various styles, similar to fashion; which can be seen in this YouTube video. In modern times, tattoos allow people to express themselves through the artwork on their body. Once someone decides to get a tattoo, they go through an intense process:
1. The image search stage.
When you finally decide to get a tattoo, you have to pick the design. Sometimes this is the easiest step, sometimes it's the hardest. Either way, you can guarantee you'll spend a lot of time searching on Google or Pinterest for ideas on the placement or style.
2. The YouTube stage.
Maybe you started by watching how tattooing is actually done, but at some point you'll find a tattoo tag video and you'll be sucked into a dark vortex that seems impossible to escape.
3. The "I got this!" stage.
You've picked your design. You've picked your placement. You know which shop you're going to. You feel like you could experience the wrath of 202 titans and live, what's going to stop you from getting a tattoo.
4. The questioning stage.
You start to rethink things. Are you sure that you're ready for this? It is permanent. Can you still find a job with a tattoo? Is it going to turn out OK? Is it really worth it?
5. The waiting stage.
Once you make it through the questioning stage, you're left waiting. If you're lucky enough to be a walk-in, you avoid this step. However, most of the time, you have to wait a few days, weeks, or even months to have the artist you want.
6. The anxiety stage.
Your appointment is almost here. The wait is almost over. The time is coming.
7. The preparation stage.
When you make it to the shop, you have to wait for the artist to prepare for your tattoo; and you'll be preparing too. Once the stencil is applied, you have to sit back and wait for the action to start.
8. The first mark stage.
All you can think is: Oh man, here we go, this is it, there's the needle, will this hurt, it kinda hurts, this is weird, what is happening?...
9. The "Oh this isn't terrible" stage.
Once you make it past the first mark, it's smooth sailing. You finally get used to the feeling of needles covered in ink repeatedly going in and out of your skin while leaving a permanent image.
10. The finished stage.
You may have been sitting for 10 minutes or 10 hours but at some point, your tattoo will be finished. You'll experience an immense sense of relief when you can finally leave that chair.
11. The repeat stage.
It's true what they say, tattoos are addictive. Before you know it, you'll start this process all over again.
