Now I cannot sit here and pretend that I have gone through this experience time and time again. Hell, I can’t even say I have experienced getting a tattoo myself. However, after years of trying to figure out what I would get and when, it’s safe to say that I feel really great about my decision to finally get one for my 21^st. And within those few years of deciphering what I would get and why I would get it, I feel as though I have spent an insurmountable amount of time coming up with reasons as to why it is such a good idea and here’s what I have come up with:

1. It makes you unique

Not saying that this is the only way to define yourself as “unique”, but I always enjoy seeing people’s different tattoos and hearing the reasoning behind why he or she decided to get one. Truly we are all just blank canvases, so why not add your own flare to yourself? Maybe something that tells a story… which brings me into my next point.

2. They can be a wonderful reminder of the things we love and can be a fantastic life motivator

I have nothing against the tattoos that don’t have a super deep meaning behind them, but I also think the ones that do have a significant meaning behind them are the best. This can also go for any life motto that you feel will help you get through the hard times. If you could always have something with you that helps remind you of the best times and helps get you through the worst, why wouldn’t you get one?

3. It gives you a little edge

This especially goes for the ones that can’t be visibly seen every day. To me, it’s almost like a metaphor for you as an individual; there’s so much more to you than what’s on the surface. You’ve loved, lost, and made it through life thus far and knowing that you have something that you took the initiative to get for whatever reason or circumstance makes you pretty badass.

4. It can be liberating

Let’s be honest, you’ll never be this young and reckless again (let’s hope) and this is the time to do all of those things that you’ve always said you would. Your 20’s are the prime of your life and by getting this now you can look back on it when your older and reminisce about all of those wonderful memories you made. You’re young, able, and free to do as you please now after years of being under your parents supervision. Live a little.

5. It’s not as big of a deal as some people make it out to be

Sometimes I feel like we are all living life just a little too cautiously. Sure you should take care of yourself, eat healthy, get lots of sleep, and stay active, but what’s really the big fuss to make about getting a tattoo? Yes it’s permanent, but life is so uncertain and honestly no one knows when their time is up, so what’s the point of walking through life on egg shells and always doing things the “right way”. At the end of the day, life is about living, enjoying the time we have now and doing all of the things that we always said we would. Don’t live with regrets. Get that tattoo you’ve always thought about!