I love tattoos, so that’ll give you a bit of a clue about my conclusions
I want to give you some things to think about, if you are considering getting a tattoo or body art, I love it, I’m an absolute tattoo addict.
My mantra is ‘Midlife Isn’t A Crisis’
There are so many reasons we shift paths and refocus in our midlife. Midlife can be a time when people buy the sports car, the motorbike and look at having a tattoo.
It might be a subconscious decision, a sign of rebellion or statement of empowerment.
Not everyone realises that a tattoo is a piece of artwork.It is something beautiful and it enhances your spirituality or your skin.
Sometimes it can be the embracing of a rebellious attitude.
Maybe you’ve not been confident enough in yourself and your body image until now.
The reason I had my second tattoo, was body empowerment. I was bullied as a child about freckles. It sounds really silly, but kids can be horrible and they can bully each other.
[I totally adore kids too!]
I never wore backless tops until literally I was tattooed on my back.
I took ownership of my back again by having that tattoo
It can be a midlife confidence thing.
People have scars covered, to take ownership of the area that was scarred.
Are you covering it up or are you declaring it as a piece of beauty? If you have got a scar that you’ve been self-conscious about isn’t midlife about time to embrace it, own it, declare it as a part of you and your body.
Would a tattoo be the solution to your self assurance around that scar?
Tattoo artistry is a fantastic skill
It’s creative, it’s artistic, and I love creativity and art.
Obviously tattoos are beautiful, if you get the right ones.
They’re permanent as well, unless you’re getting a henna tattoo.
Make sure if you get henna art that you go to a trustworthy artist who knows about inks, even henna can be damaging.
It can sound really pretentious when you say ‘my’ tattoo artist, but you will build a relationship with ‘your’ artist. They’ll become ‘your’ tattooist.
Most tattooists, have tattoos all over themselves, they practice on themselves and their friends. As a result they don’t seem to have so much of a personal meaning or spiritual connection to their art as other people do, as I do.
I believe you should have art that‘s in line with your personality, your spirit, chi, whatever you call it. They are something very personal to you.
Do your research, please, please, please
Don’t go to the first tattooist that you find, pick a number from the board of designs and get inked.
Please don’t do that
Artists don’t want you to do that, a tattoo artist deserves some credit for their talent. Allow them some creativity.
Create an album, maybe in Pinterest or a scrapbook of some sort with all the pictures that you like.
There are plenty of tattoos out there to look at. You aren’t stealing the art, just collecting images to show to your artist so they understand what you like, and importantly what you don’t.
It might be that you’re artistic and you want to use your own art, you can still allow the artist to put their creative slant on it.
Go and talk to different people
Most people who’ve got tattoos are more than happy to discuss who did it, and why. It’s something wonderful about the tattooed community, they’re usually approachable and happy to talk about their ink.
If you see someone with beautiful artwork, ask them where they’ve had their tattoo, and which artist they used. It might be a studio with multiple artists, start to build a relationship with that person. Call in and talk to them.
Take images of what you like and what you don’t like. Talk about whether you want colour, whether you want just black.
Why? What style? Ponder if you want a retro, classic, minimal tattoo, a watermark, whatever, go in and talk to the artist.
Payment
It always makes me smile, when people see your art, and the first question is
‘How much did you pay for your tattoo?’
It’s forever, it’s there on your body for the rest of your life. Money shouldn’t be the first thought in your mind.
Think about how much you pay for a piece of jewellery, a wedding ring, pair of earrings or even a good quality fishing rod or pair of boots.
You pay in line with what it’s worth to you
If you’re putting something on your body that will literally last you for the rest of your life, then that’s worth paying for.
The artist
You are commissioning an artist to create a piece of art, to draw and paint it safely, hygienically, and to do it creatively and with care. That is worth payment.
If you can’t afford it yet, don’t cheapskate and go for something different. Save up for the piece of artwork that you like.
It’s for life.
Artists maybe struggling globally with the lockdowns
Some artists have voucher schemes, where you can pay them now and build up pre-payment. It’s helping them survive creatively and in their business. It’s worth considering isn’t it?
If you find a good artist, you can talk to them on Zoom, Skype or FaceTime, build a relationship now, ready for when they can do your tattoo.
Where are you going to put your tattoo?
Which part of your body is it going to go on?
I would suggest most tattooists won’t do hands or faces. As I’ve mentioned I totally adore tattoos, but I would definitely not recommend facial art.
If a tattooist just says, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it on your face’ straight away, for your first tattoo, I would walk out again. I don’t think that’s a tattooist you should be working with.
Your tattoo maybe for a spiritual reason
You might want it over your heart, on your chest or the ribs because of an emotional connection.
On your back if it relates to your shadow side or if you want somebody covering the back.
Do you want it to be able to be shown all the time?
If you’re in a career where appearances matter, and to be honest rightly or wrongly that’s most careers, think about the implications of it.
It’s OK thinking, ‘I’m not bothered. I’m just going to have it where I want.’ but if your career depends on what you look like, unfortunately some people do still find them offensive. In some cultures they’re not seen as attractive or acceptable.
Think about it, it’s there forever.
When will you see it, is it something that you want to see?
Is it reassuring you spiritually or for therapy?
Do you need to physically touch that place each day to get reassurance?
If you’re having the name of somebody or a date connected to something, is it something that you want to be able to touch?
The pain
Does it hurt? No, not really.
Some places do, on your bone and some other areas. I had one on my foot that twitched a nerve, that was hilarious because obviously you need to stay still for your tattoo.
Women are superior to men with regards to pain thresholds and management
Controversial? I think women take pain a lot better than men. I’d like your opinion on that. See if you agree with me, but it can hurt. It’s just the price you pay.
If you get in the zone and manage your mindset and do some deep breathing, you’ll be fine.
And finally…
Don’t pick one off the shelf or off the wall. ‘I’d love butterfly, number three’ you know, don’t do that.
Be more creative than that.
Who cares whether it’s a midlife cliche?
You’re now confident enough to put a piece of art on your body for the rest of your life.
Enjoy the process.
Enjoy the commissioning of an artist who is skilful.
Invest in it.
Take your time and then enjoy having the tattoo done, whatever it may be.
Don’t forget to follow me for more adventures in midlife.
Are you facing or struggling with changes in midlife?
Ambition but no direction?
Ideas but no idea how to start that shift?
Mid-life snuck up on you?
Feel like time’s ticking by and you are being left behind?
Ready to step up but haven’t got a scooby do how or where to start?
Oh boy, do I know how that feels. Scary and frustrating.
No judgment, it’s hard to see the wood for the trees sometimes.