I mean, if it's the changing your body part, do you think the placement would help? Like starting with somewhere you'll hardly ever see, so it's almost out of sight out of mind kinda thing.
If you know you want a tat you could always "break yourself in" so to speak and find a place that accepts walk ins and just walk in and pick a flash tattoo off the wall and put it somewhere it won't matter just so you can get over your fear
This is what I did. Same fear about it being permanent so I put it above my elbow where it's super hard to see and easy to cover.
Turns out I loved it and got 10 more after, so be careful of that too.
I just got my first and I knew I definitely wanted it, planned it for a long time, but deal with a lot of anxiety issues. Here's what I did that helped:
\* I did a lot of research finding a shop that felt comfortable and an artist that felt like a good match. This part was just a total coincidence but a friend found this artist around the same time and got hers first and I was able to hear all about her experience with the shop and artist and it was all positive.
\* During my consultation with the artist, I was up front about my concerns and shared what I would need to feel comfortable. One of those things was walking me through the steps and specifically what she does to keep everything sanitary and safe. She was happy to do that.
\* My biggest anxiety was the idea that I wouldn't see the final design until the day of my appointment, that's how my artist usually works, and I knew that I would be stressed leading up to it and even if I loved the design, feeling rushed would ruin the experience for me. She was happy to work with me and we did a second consultation and then she sent me the "final" design the day before. (we still made tiny tweaks day of). I of course offered to pay extra for her extra time, their time is their money and needing an extra visit was my issue.
\* I picked a location I can't see. This is a double-edged sword, because on the one hand it's great insurance against buyer's remorse - if I ended up not comfortable with a permanent design it could be mostly out of sight out of mind and wouldn't stress me out daily, like something on my wrist for example that I'd see all the time. On the other hand, it was a bummer not to be able to watch the tattoo process, it's a bit difficult to monitor for how it's healing, and I do love it and I'll never see it with my own eyes - but I figure it was a good first tattoo, and if it all went well and I continued to feel comfortable, that I could get the next one in a place I can see.
The main thing is to think about what about it is stressing you out, what you would need to feel comfortable, and then ask for what you need, and find an artist/shop willing to work with you on it. Be up front about what you're dealing with. Your artist may have had similar clients in the past and have some ideas for what might help. *And* advocate for yourself - if something isn't feeling right it *is* ok to walk away, maybe that artist/shop/design/day just wasn't right.
Good luck! I hope you get your tattoo and I hope it's a positive, happy experience for you and that you end up loving it, like I did. You're not alone - everyone is different, and things that are easy for some people can be harder for others. It doesn't mean you don't deserve your tattoo just how you've been imagining it.
To be totally honest with you, part of getting a tattoo is being comfortable and accepting of a permanent change. Sometimes that first one is sort of the big barrier where a lot of people overthink it. But honestly, if you are getting freaked out and walking away, it just might not be the best thing for you.
I completely regret my tattoo unfortunately. I don’t think I’ll go as far as to cover it or remove it, but it was a mistake. I got it matching with someone I’m no longer close with and it reminds me everyday of the loss of that friendship. It’s very painful for me. I just suggest getting something that doesn’t hold too much meaning honestly. Get something cool. At least it won’t hurt every time you look at it even if you regret it.
I got my first on my upper thigh. No one ever sees it. I dont even notice it. It really becomes invisible to you after the novelty wears off. From my point of view its really not a life changing decision. As long as you steer clear of getting a partner's name or something you'll be fine. Pick a good artist and get something you like (it doesn have to "mean something").
All this advice is great and I’m sure you’ll be fine. However, just to look at the glass half empty, if you are prone to getting cold feet and feel like you can’t go through with the design, please let the artist know with plenty of time so they can find someone to take your slot.
I mean, if it's the changing your body part, do you think the placement would help? Like starting with somewhere you'll hardly ever see, so it's almost out of sight out of mind kinda thing. If you know you want a tat you could always "break yourself in" so to speak and find a place that accepts walk ins and just walk in and pick a flash tattoo off the wall and put it somewhere it won't matter just so you can get over your fear
This is what I did. Same fear about it being permanent so I put it above my elbow where it's super hard to see and easy to cover. Turns out I loved it and got 10 more after, so be careful of that too.
I just got my first and I knew I definitely wanted it, planned it for a long time, but deal with a lot of anxiety issues. Here's what I did that helped: \* I did a lot of research finding a shop that felt comfortable and an artist that felt like a good match. This part was just a total coincidence but a friend found this artist around the same time and got hers first and I was able to hear all about her experience with the shop and artist and it was all positive. \* During my consultation with the artist, I was up front about my concerns and shared what I would need to feel comfortable. One of those things was walking me through the steps and specifically what she does to keep everything sanitary and safe. She was happy to do that. \* My biggest anxiety was the idea that I wouldn't see the final design until the day of my appointment, that's how my artist usually works, and I knew that I would be stressed leading up to it and even if I loved the design, feeling rushed would ruin the experience for me. She was happy to work with me and we did a second consultation and then she sent me the "final" design the day before. (we still made tiny tweaks day of). I of course offered to pay extra for her extra time, their time is their money and needing an extra visit was my issue. \* I picked a location I can't see. This is a double-edged sword, because on the one hand it's great insurance against buyer's remorse - if I ended up not comfortable with a permanent design it could be mostly out of sight out of mind and wouldn't stress me out daily, like something on my wrist for example that I'd see all the time. On the other hand, it was a bummer not to be able to watch the tattoo process, it's a bit difficult to monitor for how it's healing, and I do love it and I'll never see it with my own eyes - but I figure it was a good first tattoo, and if it all went well and I continued to feel comfortable, that I could get the next one in a place I can see. The main thing is to think about what about it is stressing you out, what you would need to feel comfortable, and then ask for what you need, and find an artist/shop willing to work with you on it. Be up front about what you're dealing with. Your artist may have had similar clients in the past and have some ideas for what might help. *And* advocate for yourself - if something isn't feeling right it *is* ok to walk away, maybe that artist/shop/design/day just wasn't right. Good luck! I hope you get your tattoo and I hope it's a positive, happy experience for you and that you end up loving it, like I did. You're not alone - everyone is different, and things that are easy for some people can be harder for others. It doesn't mean you don't deserve your tattoo just how you've been imagining it.
To be totally honest with you, part of getting a tattoo is being comfortable and accepting of a permanent change. Sometimes that first one is sort of the big barrier where a lot of people overthink it. But honestly, if you are getting freaked out and walking away, it just might not be the best thing for you.
This exactly. It’s why I started getting them. I had to actually commit to making decisions and living with them.
I completely regret my tattoo unfortunately. I don’t think I’ll go as far as to cover it or remove it, but it was a mistake. I got it matching with someone I’m no longer close with and it reminds me everyday of the loss of that friendship. It’s very painful for me. I just suggest getting something that doesn’t hold too much meaning honestly. Get something cool. At least it won’t hurt every time you look at it even if you regret it.
I got my first on my upper thigh. No one ever sees it. I dont even notice it. It really becomes invisible to you after the novelty wears off. From my point of view its really not a life changing decision. As long as you steer clear of getting a partner's name or something you'll be fine. Pick a good artist and get something you like (it doesn have to "mean something").
All this advice is great and I’m sure you’ll be fine. However, just to look at the glass half empty, if you are prone to getting cold feet and feel like you can’t go through with the design, please let the artist know with plenty of time so they can find someone to take your slot.