3 things to ask YOURSELF

3 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting Tattooed

Introduction

We cater less to the impulsive trinkets and a lot more towards professional adults taking the time to plan out and shop for an artist they can trust to take over the creation portion. Opting to get a tattoo is more than just selecting a design or choosing an artist—it's a profound decision that taps into personal identity and emotional depth. This commitment can stir a myriad of feelings, from thrill to nervousness. To navigate these emotions effectively, reflecting on certain key questions before embarking on your tattoo journey is vital. This blog post aims to guide you through three essential introspective queries that will help ensure you are mentally and emotionally prepared for this permanent expression of self.

1. Why Do I Want This Tattoo?

The motives behind choosing to get a large scale tattoo vary widely and understanding your own can significantly influence your satisfaction with the tattoo long-term. Are you looking to memorialize an important event, make a statement about your identity, or are you captivated by a particular design? Analyzing your motives can clarify whether your desire for a tattoo stems from a deep-seated personal meaning or a momentary impulse.

Example: If your tattoo is meant to commemorate overcoming a major obstacle in your life, its value might be deeply ingrained in your personal growth. Conversely, if the appeal is driven by a current trend, you might find that your interest wanes as new fashions emerge. Reflecting deeply on this can help ensure your decision is enduring.

2. How do I want to be Perceived?

Working on large scale tattoos has given us insight into clients in many stages of their own growth. Often times they come with a pretty well baked idea of what they want, but once the years go by those initial ideas go out the window and the first few tattoos end up in the way. We want to make sure people look good from across the room or across the street in any position or motion. We don't want people asking you to clarify or read your tattoos to them. We want you to have an interesting piece that inspires conversation for the rest of your life. The permanence of tattoos makes it essential to ponder your readiness for this lifelong commitment. Consider how you might perceive your tattoo in the distant future: Will you be the baddest MFer or old lady in the old folks home? Will your grandkids be able to make it out and ask you stories about the past?

Example: Think about the potential shifts in your personal or professional life. A tattoo that perfectly captures your current passions or relationships might not resonate as strongly in future decades. Pondering future scenarios can aid in making a decision that you will cherish long-term. Words tend to lose their meaning but eve a moth can mean 5 things over a lifetime.

3. How Will I Handle the Pain and Aftercare?

Beyond the emotional and psychological commitment, tattoos require enduring a certain amount of physical pain and diligent aftercare. Preparing for the pain involved and planning for the healing process are crucial steps. Another approach we take is "Bigger is better", obviously you only have one arm... well 2 most likely but a single sleeve only covers one. Using bigger shapes and focusing on contrast and flow is generally the way to go. Booking full days or even multiple days means that you are going to have a day log experience and you will actually see things come back pretty quickly.

Example: If pain tolerance is a concern, discussing it with your tattoo artist can provide strategies or options to mitigate discomfort, such as choosing less sensitive areas for your tattoo. Understanding and preparing for the aftercare process is also essential to ensure optimal healing and maintaining the beauty of your tattoo.

Conclusion

Reflecting on these key questions before getting a tattoo can profoundly impact your readiness and satisfaction with the decision. A tattoo is more than an artistic expression—it's a personal statement that remains with you indefinitely. By taking the time to introspect about your motivations, readiness for commitment, and coping strategies for the physical aspects of tattooing, you equip yourself with a clear and confident mindset for your tattooing journey.

Meta Description

Dive into the critical considerations before getting tattooed with our guide on the top questions to assess your readiness and commitment. Prepare mentally and emotionally for this significant step.

Keywords

• Tattoo motivation

• Tattoo commitment

• Tattoo pain management

• Tattoo aftercare

• Mental preparation for tattoos

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