When you decide to go ahead with the plan of getting a tattoo, you are also making a permanent life decision. For many people a tattoo is not a split decision, it is one that has been thought out for a while.

Many conservative family members and friends may be shocked at first when you tell them you are getting a tattoo/ have already gotten a tattoo. Without asking, everyone seems to think it is acceptable to share their own opinion, “You are going to regret it when you get older!" After you explain the reason behind your tattoo choice and why it is important to you more questions will follow: “What if you don't like your tattoos later? What if they don't age well? What if you regret them?"

We would appreciate it if you didn't sit there and judge us about our life choices. If we hypothetically robbed a bank, then you would have the right to judge us, do not sit there and say, “Well, I wouldn't get that." Well, it's a good thing it's not your body, isn't it?

Whatever you may or may not think about someone's tattoo choice, at the end of the day, it's not on your body. So respect the person and their life choices.

The fact is: the only person who your tattoo should concern is you.

There may be tattoos that you end up not liking when you are older, just like there are choices people make in life that they aren't proud of. However, with every choice you make in life you learn a lesson. Every tattoo a person gets has a story behind it. Whether it was a drunken love affair tattoo or a tattoo that is in memory of someone you love, there is a reason you chose it.

Reasons why you should never regret tattoos from your past:

1. You liked them at one point in your life

When you decided to get your tattoo, you decided for yourself. You didn't sit there and ask yourself if your parents would like it. Never lose sight of why you originally decided to get this permanent artwork tattooed on your body.

2. They remind you of your past

People get the majority of their tattoos because they mean something very important. They may symbolize something bigger than yourself or a life-changing person, however, temporary he or she was to you. Whether you went through a dark period or a happy period, it is nice to have a permanent reminder of how the period or person transformed you.

You survived, you have changed and you will forever be strong. You deserve to look at your art and remember how far you have come.

3. Each one tells their own story

Most of the time, tattoos are excellent conversation starters. Whether it be a common interest or mutual ink, it becomes a bonding experience and who wouldn't want to make more friends?

4. Old people look badass with tattoos

Older people look totally awesome with tattoos. Tattoos give someone the impression that the person has had an exciting life.

“When I'm older and my health is deteriorating, and I struggle to get around, I'm sure my first thought will be 'Damn, I wish I didn't have tattoos that remind me of the good days.' Yeah, right.“

Years later, you may not be able to relate to the tattoo you got when you were a teenager, but that does not mean you will regret it.

Most tattoos represent who you were at that moment, it is the culmination of everything you were at that point in time.

When you look at a painting at an art museum you think to yourself, “Wow that is beautiful, the artist must have put a lot of time and effort into that canvas." You need to look at tattoos in that mindset, you may not like the artwork, however, the tattoo is a piece of artwork and an artist contributed to your canvas, the tattoo becomes a part of you and you are a walking art museum in a way.

A tattoo, good or bad, is more than just a tattoo or an image on your body, it becomes a part of your body and it's a permanent memory.

Don't think that getting a tattoo is some easy task, we go through pain, but it becomes our pain. We sit through hours of needles stabbing into our skin and we deserve to wear that artwork as a badge

Sure, your tattoo will age, along with the rest of your body. It will fade, or stretch, but so do other parts of your body. Why not be reminded of the good times?

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just remember that if it isn't your body then it shouldn't concern you.