Tattoos have a negative stigma surrounding them for all of the wrong reasons. Tattoos are a form of expression, emotion, passion, and remembrance.

Tattoos in the past were viewed as “dirty” or “trashy” but why? Why do we put down a form of self-expression? Maybe it’s because society tells us that expressing ourselves can only be done in a way that is barely expressive at all. Sure, we can SPEAK our mind all day long but what if we want to permanently express ourselves? Tattoos are permanent, giving our bodies alone a permanent stance.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with tattooing your body. Comparatively, there is absolutely nothing wrong with having no tattoos. Like I said, they are a form of expression, but there are many ways to express yourself, all of which should be accepted and cherished.

Coming from a girl with nine tattoos and counting, I have found a love for the permanent expression of tattoos. I love when people ask me the meaning behind them. It is an opening to a door enclosing some of the most rewarding conversations I have had.

Think of all of the times you have seen an intriguing tattoo and wanted to know the meaning behind it. For the people who built up the courage to ask, was that conversation meaningful? I’m sure at least once in your life you have experienced an amazing conversation that started with, “What does your tattoo mean?”

I’m not saying you have to drag a needle dipped in ink through your skin to express yourself. If that were the case, we would all be completely inked up. Tattoos are one of the forms of expression that I have found most beneficial and impactful. For some, that might not be the case and that is completely okay. Support and acceptance is important, especially when the vulnerability of expressing yourself is at its peak.

Tattoos, undeniably, have a negative stigma surrounding them. They are thought to prevent jobs and they are viewed as a dirty version of art. Nonetheless, art is art and expression is expression. Hopefully one day tattoo’s will not suffer from the lack of acceptance that surrounds our society. Hopefully, with time, they can be seen as not dirty, but powerful.