I Don't Like Tattoos, Get Over It

WARNING: Unpopular opinions below.

ONE: I am too feminine for tattoos. Heavily tatted women tend to look manly & macho. I am not sorry for thinking in this. I will not change my views or who I am just so I can fit in & please the world. I don't find tattoos flattering. They are distracting & they would ruin my timeless look. I want to wear dresses without looking like a tough man.

TWO: They are meaningless. I love & believe in many things. I can't represent them all on my skin. I rather live my passions, love & faith than have them on my skin for show & tell. I can easily hang a good quote & piece of art on my walls. I want people to know what I stand for & what my passions are by how I carry myself, NOT for what's on my skin. I find that to be the most genuine form of self-expression; flaws & all.

THREE: Tattoos can become addicting. If you know me personally, you may know that I struggled with self-harm for about a decade. Roughly 90% of the people I know with tattoos have told me that they are addicted to getting tattoos. They love the feeling, it numbs them & it relieves them. If someone asked me why I cut myself, my reply would be exactly the same. Both tattooing & cutting are associated with adrenaline & the release of endorphins. I still struggle with the urge not to cut. I need to stay far away from anything that can lead to a similar addictive behavior.

FOUR: When I get older, I know for a fact that I will regret having tattoos. I wasn't the same person I was 5 years ago, let alone the same person I was 6 months ago. I'm constantly changing & growing. What I enjoy today, may not be what I'll enjoy down the road. Believe it or not, I used to have a list of small tattoos I wanted to get. I made that tattoo list about 2-3 years ago & to be honest, I would have regretted each & every one of those tattoos by now.

FIVE: I rather engrave beauty in my mind, heart & soul than on my skin. People often explain to me that their tattoo is to remind them of a certain something. For example "loved" or "forgiven". I even come across a scripture from time to time. I feel as if these people think their tattoos make their belief "legit" & more true than if it wasn't permanently on their skin. As if having "blessed" or "beautiful" on their skin makes them more blessed & beautiful than those without it. Tattoos are their stamp of approval that validates their cause. I've struggled with low self-esteem & doubts for most of my life. I've overcome my hardships the old-fashioned way. I engraved beauty, love & grace in my heart. I surrounded myself with lovely people who encouraged me & wanted what was best for me. If someone doesn't know that they're loved, blessed or whatever it may be, I don't believe a tattoo that labels them as such will help. That's something we all need to find within, not on our skin. If someone needs constant "reminders" of how worthy they are, I suggest from the bottom of my heart that they let go of all the negative people in their lives & surround themselves with positive people.

SIX: I don't view my body as a canvas. I view life itself as my canvas. Self-explanatory.

SEVEN: Tattoos & narcissistic attitudes seem to be best friends. This pride is unattractive & it leads to self-worship in a not so obvious way. The most common example is when I say "tattoos are ugly" & people with tattoos react by feeling personally attacked as if I damaged their soul & self-worth. They twist the situation & make my feelings out to be all about them. I do not want to find my worth in tattoos. My skin does not define who I am.

---------------------------

Many people act "personally offended" by these opinions. They need to realize that they are the ones with the problem. Why would they give me the power to "offend" or effect their life? I am the type of person who has a hard time feeling "offended" because I don't make other people's personal feelings & convictions all about me when I know it's really about them. I'm not self-absorbed. Calling me "judgemental" for thinking differently is uncalled for. These people really believe that everyone has to think just like they do. They have dragged the word "judgemental" through the mud. The word has practically lost its meaning. Having a different opinion & being judgemental are two separate things.

I'm known my for my unpopular opinions & outspoken nature. People choose to label me "judgemental" when they disagree with me. Yet, whenever I have a bold opinion that they agree with, all of sudden I am "strong for being outspoken". EXCUSE ME?! I've noticed that I lose a lot respect from people when I don't follow the crowd. I will not be bullied into silenced just so I can be "politically correct". I have love for all people from all walks of life, but I have the right to have a mind of my own & think for myself. I'm good friends with people who are completely passionate about tattoos or they think people with tattoos are more attractive than those without. That's fine. I don't feel belittled or hurt. You'll never hear me calling anyone "judgemental" over a disagreement.