Turning 18 is a big deal, and a lot of freedom comes with officially being an adult. One of these "freedoms" is the chance for one to get a tattoo if they so desire. As I slowly crept towards adulthood, my desire to get permanently inked grew immensely. After I finally turned of age last week, my wish was granted.

Getting a tattoo wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, nor was it a negative experience in any way; it will definitely not be my last. That being said, I highly recommend going through with it if you've recently been considering getting a tattoo.

But if you are seriously planning on getting inked, here are some important things to keep in mind.

1. Your tattoo should have significant meaning

There are no limitations on what design you can or cannot get, but getting a tattoo is still serious business. Whatever you get tattooed will be on your body forever, so it's important to assign meaning to each element in your design. For example, if you want to incorporate flowers into your tattoo, how many flowers are you going to have, and what do they represent? Small details such as this make all of the difference. Take your time deciding on a design so that in the long run you have no regrets.

2. Do your research

If you just wander into a tattoo shop on a wimb, there's no guaruntee that your tattoo won't get infected or come out looking terribly awful. In other words, do your research! Find a shop that has positive reviews, passes inspections and has artists who specialize in the kind of design you're looking for.

3. Know your pain tolerance

Depending on where you decide to get inked, the pain can be excruciating, nonexistent, or anywhere in between. I got my tattoo on my upper back, just below my neck, and it felt great. Imagine getting a soothing back scratch for an hour and a half; that's exactly what if felt like. But by no means think that this pertains to just any body part. There are more sensitive areas than others, not to mention everyone feels differently about needles.

4. Keep an unapologetic attitude

No matter what anyone says: your body, your choice. Friends and family can hate, criticize and frown upon your new ink, but none of that matters as long as it's unique and special to you. Don't let unpopular opinions influence your expression.

Keep calm, and tat on.