The art of tattooing has been dated all the way back to 12,000 BC (debatably), but why is it such a deal today? Surely, tattoos have been around long enough for people to feel comfortable with them but still people have a grudge against them. Tattoo's used to be created to mark criminals, gang members, families, and skill marks. But tattoos have so many different meanings, so why are we so quick to judge. In my opinion, tattoos are a way of saying, "Hey, I have a story." and recently I decided to express my story.

Yes, I'm only eighteen. Yes, I'm young. Yes, I could regret it. But there are so many other mistakes in my life just as detrimental. Also, it is okay to make mistakes because life goes on. But it wasn't about being cool, it was about taking a step towards loving myself and my body. For many who read my other articles, I have been struggling to find happiness in myself for quite some time. I have been trying to deal with my reoccurring anxiety and sadness and I feel like my tattoos help remind me to love myself when I'm feeling down. It's like that sticky note you write down things to remember something, but more permanent. My tattoo is my sticky note that reminds me to be happy.

I love when people ask about my tattoos. Not even a day later, I had an older woman ask about it while I was washing my hands in the bathroom. I want people to look at it and judge it, be curious, embrace them because that's what tattoos are all about. Like any other kind of art, paintings, sculptures, we criticize them, we embrace the art. But we shouldn't criticize the people who have art on themselves. The human body is a canvas waiting to be embraced.