For 2019, I’ve set myself a new monthly challenge to pick a random page from “The Writer’s Block” (by Jason Rekulak) and write about it – be it something personal about myself or a prompt for creative writing. I found this book by chance on Amazon back last year and couldn’t resist buying it for those moments when I’m stuck in a deep rut of inspiration drought.
Writer’s Block 01 – Tattoos
“If the body is a temple, then tattoos are its stained glass windows.”
— VINCE HEMINGSON
You’d think that the fact I have seven tattoos would make this a really easy one for me to start off with, yet here I am drawing blanks. I got my first tattoo on my 18th birthday, and it’s a little Chinese symbol for happiness and good fortune (hopefully…). It wasn’t a reckless “I’m 18 so I must get a tattoo just because!” moment either, I’d been in love with tattoos forever and had planned to get something small for several years.
There’s only tattoo that I slightly regret. I have a small tribal tattoo just below my collarbone and for 99% of the time, it’s no problem at all. It was only when I had my end of college ball and I put my dress on that I realised I couldn’t wear the accompanying necklace. It was then too fussy with a necklace, the tattoo and neckline of the dress. It’s less of an issue these days though, as I barely even leave the house these days, let alone go somewhere that involves putting on a fancy dress.
While each person has their own opinion about tattoos, I find them to be a form of self-expression and identity. Each tattoo has a story or memory attached to it and symbolises a chapter of my life; of lessons learnt and battles fought. I spend a lot of time contemplating each tattoo that I’ve had and have four intentionally left open for extension in later years.
My latest tattoo is my favourite so far, and the one I sent the longest working on. After going through such a long time of negativity (starting way back when I still lived in Pershore), I finally decided to go for a combination of symbols and imagery that was deeply important to me on several levels, and all with a multitude of meanings.
By the time I finished adapting this tattoo, it became a piece of artwork that encompasses so much of me in it, including my spiritual journey and learnt knowledge up to the day it was inked into my skin. There are symbols for identity and soul, strength, protection and direction throughout the design. It’s all connected by dots and swirls which is something I’ve always used when doing my artwork and felt a natural way to link it together, as well as it reminding me of a dream catcher in its design.
Depending on where life takes me next, I’m hoping to get the moon on my arm extended in some way. Either over the shoulder next or into the inner arm…or both ultimately!
“Tattoos are like stories – they’re symbolic of the important moments in your life.”
— PAMELA ANDERSON
What do you think about tattoos? Do you have any yourself? Let me know in the comments! ♡
