Anyone who knows me will tell you that I am one of the biggest crybabies anyone has ever met. I can't handle pain. I cry for twenty minutes if I stub my toe on the kitchen counter. But, after 18 years of wishing, I finally got a tattoo.
A few days after my 18th birthday, I spontaneously decided "I'm going to get a tattoo today." My brother, soon to be sister-in-law, her mom, my boyfriend, and I all packed into one car and made our way to Carrolton after being told we MIGHT be able to do four walk-in appointments.
My boyfriend didn't get a tattoo, he's somehow more afraid than I was.
My group made me go last and let me tell you, after a couple of hours of sitting and watching everyone else wince, get teary-eyed, and squeeze hands, I almost backed out of it.
But lucky for you and the sake of an article, I went through with it.
I had heard that the more nervous you are, the better because of the adrenaline running through you. Apparently, it makes it hurt less. I can tell you firsthand that this is not true. I was more nervous than I had ever been before and it still hurt. A LOT.
I tried to laugh to keep myself from crying, so if you take any advice from this, please take that.
Have you ever been shocked by one of those prank buzzers? Imagine that, but a lot more intense, a lot more focused, and for a really long time.
It's a pain that flows. It goes through weird stages. It starts with "Oh, that isn't bad", quickly to "Wow, I'm about to cry in front of this stranger". It isn't excruciating, but it hurts worse than expected.
Of course, I have a low pain tolerance.
The only advice I can offer every other crybaby like myself is to laugh, have a hand to squeeze (break), and surround yourself with friends who will listen to you complain.
