Removing a Day-Drinking Tattoo was the Action I Needed
How it Started
It happened years ago - I was day drinking with an ex on our honeymoon, having a blast and loving the moment. We decided to memorialize the day that seemed to hold so much promise with tattoos. We found a great guy who agreed to squeeze us in. He was cool, and we jived right away. I described what I wanted and he said that he got it, he knew exactly what to do. I chose a spot on my ankle, and based off his confidence, didn’t ask him to draft it out first. One of my greatest strengths (and faults) is believing things will work out.
This is my tattoo artist and me right before getting started. I still love the guy!
But - unfortunately, I hated the tattoo as soon as I saw it. I knew instantly that I hadn’t described that I don’t like a lot of thick black lines in tattoos. He was a delight and it was a great expereince, but with my tipsy-ness, I hadn’t advocated for myself enough. Still in love with the moment, and not wanting to bring the vibe down, I believed it wouldn’t really show all that much and the fun experience outweighed everything else. It would work out!
Fast forward to years later and that relationship failing. Turns out, it didn’t work out…and as I moved on, every time I saw my ankle, I’d cringe. It reminded me of poor decisions and made me look in a way that I didn’t want. The darkness of it bothered me and weighed me down.
The Mulling It Over Stage
I’d hear about tattoo removal and think about it - but it was so expensive! There wasn’t anyone local and I didn’t love driving into Boston. Plus, it hurt and took about 10+ visits! I resigned myself to believing that I’d always simply have to live with it. When people would ask about it, I’d awkwardly make a self-deprecating joke and try to forget about it.
But you know how things nag at you..? And do you remember that ‘someday/maybe list’ I recommended in THIS blog post? Well, I had added to the list that I wanted tattoo removal maybe one day. I wanted to be cleared from that day-drinking decision and I wanted to like my ankles again. I didn’t want constant reminders of a failed relationship.
The Yes - Let’s Do It Stage
There’s a magical tipping point in growth: you decide that you can change, you need to change, you’re worth changing and that it’s time.
I heard about a local tattoo studio getting the PICO machine - it’s supposed to be better, faster acting and less painful. Everything inside my head screamed that I HAD to do this.
So I booked the appointment and set the necessary money aside. And yeah it hurt, but not a lot! (Think of a snapping rubber band. You can handle it easy-peasy.) I chose the perfect place and Saint James from Keepsakes is a nationally sought-after expert on body modification and took care of me, helping me to feel great about taking action on what I wanted. Even though I have more appointments to go, starting the process felt like immediate relief! It’s like a huge weight has started to lift and healing is happening.
So - my question to you on the cusp of NYE and everyone making 2024 resolutions is:
What would you like to change?
What would feel better if it were different? What’s not working out for you? What makes you cringe?
I’m here to tell you that you can change whatever it is that comes to mind.
You are worth it.
It takes ACTION. Small, do-able consistent actions, just like the appointments I need to go to every 6 weeks. Taking action creates change, a snowball effect of goodness and happiness from changing your circumstances. Find a mentor in that area, an accountability partner, a walking or gym buddy, a friend to batch cook healthy food with you - whatever support you need to continue taking action in spite of any setbacks or slip-ups. The harsh reality is that a study by the University of Scranton found that only 8% of people achieve their resolutions, so get clarity on what you want to change, why you want change and find the support you need to keep at it. I believe that we can increase those odds! A critical element in my coaching is creating sustainable change with my clients, because change isn’t change if you just revert back, it’s got to stick. For me, I’m planning more change in 2014, starting with better health and fitness.
And no matter what we pick, it starts with making the decision, and taking a small action. So - I’d love to hear what you’re choosing. What are you going to do?
Please share this post so that we can support each other in creating the life we want!
And remember -I am here for you if you need more support.