There are three types of people in the world: those without tattoos, those with tattoos, and those with tattoos that you'll only see if they let you see. I am one of the latter, of my own choice. I have two tattoos (right now), but they're both in places that are covered not only by my clothes, but even a high-waisted bikini. I chose their placement. I like where they are. But I'm also jealous of girls whose tattoos are out there, a visible piece of their body, exposed for the world to see.
Having tattoos immediately changes someone's opinion of you. Your tattoos say something about who you are - just having a tattoo makes a personal statement. And so does not having a tattoo. I see girls with tattoos exposed and I immediately think that they're cool, edgy, and unafraid - things that I would like to be. And yeah, it's a little petty, since I have tattoos too. But in a world where just about everyone is getting tattoos and showing them off on social media - a world that you feel like you should identify with - you get a little left behind. Yes, my tattoos are for me, but I also want to be a part of them. A part of the immediate understanding and sisterhood that happens between girls with tattoos.
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It's kind of a let down to have hidden tattoos. Everyone will be talking about their experiences, and when you try to pitch in, they look at you like you don't know what you're talking about. When people realize you do have tattoos, they'll look at you differently, confused. Are your tattoos new? No, this one is almost two years old. Why didn't I know you have one? You never asked. It's almost like people make assumptions about girls that they shouldn't have tattoos, and unless yours is clear as day, they'll never expect you to have one. Which is pretty insulting.
So I'm jealous of the girls in the world with beautiful floral pieces, or inspiration on their forearm. Girls with a cute back piece or a meaningful ankle tat. They're not afraid to show the world who they are. They aren't afraid of the judgements that will come for them. They're not scared that their tattoos will affect their career. And if it does, they know that the job wasn't for them anyways because their tattoo is them. And they own it.
I'm not jealous of their tattoos, and I'm not jealous that they have tattoos. I'm jealous of their courage and truth to themselves, and they are the girl I aspire to be.
