On Tattoos.

Thursday, August 1, 2013


Question: How many tattoos are too many? I ask because I want another. 

I know this really is a matter of personal taste, and surely if you work in some creative field in Brooklyn, the answer likely differs from someone who works in a corporate law firm, or teaches elementary school, but since I clearly am not on either extreme I feel like I need some advice on how many I can pull off, without raising the eyebrows of my kids when they get older. I tend to think the answer is 2 or 3, and if I were to make the jump, just one more time, I think I'd be maxed out. This is a problem only because, those of you with tattoos know, once you get one you just want another. And another. And another. Is it better to always wonder about #3, or just do it, and make a pact not to get #4... ever. I'm not really sure. 

The thing is, I love my tattoos. I have a dime sized heart on my lower back, that I got at the old age of 26, funny enough to try to prevent my sister from getting a tattoo. She was 16 at the time, and wanted some large butterfly (I think), I told her if she waited until she was 18, I would get one first, and then she would have something to look forward to. I picked out something small enough so that neither of us would end up regretting it later, and sure enough the day she turned 18, she got inked with the same thing. 

My second was done on a whim about two years ago when, again with my sister, I decided that we had to get a bird tattoo that we had seen a few months prior. We had been talking about it forever, and a kid free weekend in New York seemed like the perfect opportunity. Even though I had to do multiple touch ups, I consider that tattoo to be one of my best decisions ever, and, of course, this just makes me want more. 

I've asked a lot of people this question, and for most it comes down to their own personal history with tattoos. Some have had ones they love and say do it! Some, the exact opposite. The rest, side with my husband, and say that I should leave well enough alone and enjoy the two I have. I'm kind of in the middle. Because mine aren't all that visible, I feel like I can get away with just one more, especially if it is also not visible. But, yes, they can all be seen in a bathing suit, and I'm not quite sure how that's going to work out, when I get older. Like way older. Maybe it will just make me more bad ass? That would be nice!

I'd love to know what you all think. Ideally I would like a small constellation on my rib, kind of like this one. To ink or not to ink... that is the question!

4 comments :

Anonymous said...

Tattoos, hmm where do I begin? Ok, so I'm about to be 54 and my daughters are 19 and 22. My eldest daughter got her belly button pierced when she was 15 and I phoned the store to complain because they didn't check her id. Little did I know that this was just the start. She got her tongue pierced years later (I told her if she wanted me to pay for her university, she had to remove it). She came home with a tattoo on her ankle about a month later. So, I've survived thus far. My youngest daughter has ear spacers and I cringe every time I see her. I know we're talking about tattoos but I see tattoos, piercings etc... as a form of creativity. It didn't come easy and it's not worth arguing with my daughters as I hope that I have raised them with confidence and good judgement. Personally, I wouldn't get a tattoo and I think it's a reflection of how I was raised. My girls...as long as they are happy and healthy, some ink on their skin is fine with me. I wish I had the "want" to ink a pretty something somewhere but at this point in my life, I'll leave we'll enough alone. Deep down I'm probably a "prude" but I'm happy with the body I've been dealt with. Enjoy your tattoos!!!!

Anonymous said...

Forgot to say my anonymous name ~ Gayle ��

Twinsmum04 said...

Love this blog post because I, too am in the same boat and would love another tatoo which would be my
3rd one. My first is a tiny little dolphin I got when I turned 18 for my love of dolphins and the ocean. My 2nd I got on a whim and is on my back. This one I totally regret and is on my lower back. Both are low enough that they are unable to be seen even with bathing suits on. Like the previous poster, I think it's a sign of creativity and a symbol of something you love unless you do it on a whim and regret it later, but even so is a reminder of that time in your life. I would like for my 3rd one to be "love" written out on my wrist with my daughters initials. I've wanted it for 9 years now and after reading this blog post am going for it. So with that said, I say be brave and go for it too!

Kelly

Twinsmum04 said...

I love this blog post! I also have 2 previous tatoos and would love another. My first I got when I turned 18 and is a small dolphin for my love of dolphins and the ocean. My 2nd is on my lower back and while I regret getting it, it reminds me of a certain time in my life. Both of mine are low enough they are never seen even with a bathing suit on. My 3rd I have wanted for 9 years and is for my daughters. I would like the word "love" with their initials coming off on my wrist. I'm nervous, but after reading this blog have made up my mind to do it! With that being said, I say go for it!!

Kelly