I have been getting tattooed since I was allowed to legally. Hell, just yesterday I received my 13th tattoo, spooky I know. (A friend told me that it's actually unlucky to have an even number of tattoos so thank goodness I dodged that bullet.) While sitting and trying to ignore the needle rapidly stabbing my flesh, I had some time to think about how little I care about the deeper meaning of my ink.

Often times while at a shop, especially when you're sitting still and getting tattooed for an extended period of time, you get the opportunity to do some people watching. Normally it's just people coming in looking for an estimate and then walking out in a huff because they think everything is overpriced. Honestly though, bless those people because they make sure the internet has quality imagery for all of the "Shittiest Tattoos Ever" listicles.

Sometimes it's someone who is super green to tattoos and has really unrealistic expectations for how tiny their font can be. Those people are also fun to observe, because they usually think what they saw on Pinterest outweighs the knowledge of a professional artist, usually covered in tattoos themselves. I don't know about you Janet, but I think he knows a little more about this brand of permanent typography.

While this cast of characters is fun to observe, one common thread I find in many of them is that they feel obligated to explain the purpose of their tattoo. Or they will only get tattoos that mean something of great importance. Hell, I used to be one of those people too! I said things to myself like "Well, if it is going to be on me forever, I better have a damn good reason."

Now, I'm not trying to say there is anything wrong with wanting your tattoo to mean something. I have plenty that carry the weight of past memories, decisions, and heartaches. But I also have tattoos that hold no emotional significance to me. Some I just think they'll look badass. Or really pretty. Or cool. Or whatever, frankly it doesn't matter.

I think that this is a common misconception especially in older generations. Perhaps because for so long, it was only socially acceptable to get a tattoo of your mom or wife's name, or something associated with the branch of the military in which you served. But today, tattoos are just one facet of the body modification community.

I think this shift from getting a tattoo out of obligation to getting one as a form of artistic expression is what has really presented this need for deeper meaning. Its almost as if without this meaning, we are doing a disservice to those in our lives who may not approve.

So your tattoo has a deep, emotionally charged meaning? That's awesome.

What's that? You got a tattoo because you thought it would look cool and now you love it? Also awesome.

Well that was pretty simple, huh? Now go out and get the tattoo you've always wanted but didn't get because you thought people wouldn't understand. Or get your mom's birthday in Roman numerals. Whatever, just make sure to tip your artist.