What a coincidence that this writing prompt has come out today!
My relationship with tattoos has only just begun, despite my advanced age. I’ve never seriously considered getting a tattoo. The fear of making a permanent choice and its lasting impact has always held me back, reflecting somewhat my outlook on life itself.
I always had the idea that tattoos had to be perfect at all times, and I didn’t like the idea that they could fade or become damaged over time. Given my fluctuating tastes, I thought I wasn’t suited to such a permanent decision. However, I found it fascinating to observe tattoos on others and how they integrated with their personality.
But something changed. I changed, my perceptions changed, and even a fundamental belief changed: that of always having to make the right choice, of living a perfect life, and of having to please everyone at all costs.
I met two fantastic girls, big tattoo lovers, who accepted me for who I am, without me having to be perfect or prove anything. We became three sweetly imperfect friends. During a trip to Madrid, we decided to get our first tattoos together, and my first tattoo ever.
The sly smile of the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland was our choice. An imperfect tattoo like us, done in a tattoo studio called “La perra verde“. It doesn’t need to have a particular meaning, but the phrase associated with the design is unmistakable.
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
Lewis Caroll
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”
One of my dearest friends has embarked on the journey into the world of tattooing, discovering a talent she didn’t even know she possessed. With joy, I offered my skin for her first experiments. She never disappointed me, despite the initial uncertainties she faced.
There was a mix of emotions: the fear of making mistakes on my skin, the insecurities of learning a new art as an adult, and that feeling of being an impostor. However, I couldn’t help but be excited about the progress she was making, her constant improvement day after day.
I asked her for a particular tattoo, an Unalome, a Buddhist symbol representing the path of life. I thought it was a simple design, but with its straight lines, it seemed to be her biggest challenge. As we progressed, I decided to add a lotus flower, also rich in lines and geometries, and I noticed how her work kept getting better and better. With a “fake it until you make it” attitude and a dose of inner positivity, she overcame every obstacle.
Not even a year has passed since that first tattoo, and already I harbored the desire to get another one. A tattoo I’ve always wanted, but never had the courage to get, both because of its imposing size and because it might scare many people.
A snake, entwined among the flowers, but still a snake.
This week we finally started the work, my first large tattoo. Four and a half hours under the needle and it’s still not finished. It’s rich in nuances and intricate lines. I look at it ecstatic, unable to believe I’ve finally made this decision. The snake can have multiple meanings, but for me, it symbolizes only one thing: the freedom to live my life as I damn well please, without caring about others.
Miss Adore.