A couple of months ago, I found the courage to go out and get my first tattoo. I was more than pleased with the end result, and could not imagine not having it. However, I am not happy with the fact that people assume since I have a tattoo that I will regret it later on in life. I put a lot of effort and thought into picking what I wanted to get. I went back and forth on what I wanted for a long time, but one day I saw a picture of a tattoo on Pinterest that said "I Am Enough." I automatically began crying, because that statement alone means so much to me being a person who struggles with self-confidence and self-worth. It also meant so much to me, because it would serve as a daily reminder that I am truly enough just the way I am. What people don't realize is that those three simple words mean so much more to me than they will ever know.

With that being said, I do not appreciate people directing such condescending comments such as:

"Aren't you going to regret that later on down the road..."

"Won't that look all wrinkly when you get older?"

"Would you really want that in your wedding photos?"

Well, the truth of the matter is that it was ultimately my decision and it has already been made so I do not need input on what I should or should not put on my body. I am clearly old enough to decide what will go on my body permanently, and I am smart enough to get something that I know I will love for the rest of my life.

Yes, there are plenty of people in the world to recklessly get tattoos or just get really pointless tattoos that they end up getting removed on down the road, but I am not one of those people. I love my tattoo, and I know that I will still love it twenty years from now. Although my tattoo has not been personally commented on, I definitely feel like since I do have one now that I am affected by the negative comments that other people who have them receive. By commenting on someone else's tattoo, they more than likely have that same opinion about other tattoos as well. So, who is to say that they would not comment on mine.

Personally, I am very content with my small tattoo that I have now, but I really hope that I would not be judged on down the road if I decided to get more. No matter how big or small a tattoo is, I still went through the anticipation and discomfort to get something that means so much to me permanently on my body. When it's all said and done, I walked away with a daily reminder of just how much I am worth, and I honestly wouldn't trade it for the world. Yes, it may become faded or distorted as I get older, but at least I will always have those cherished memories and the true meaning behind it forever. I know for a fact that I will never regret getting my tattoo, and no one's opinion will ever change that!