My ramblings

My tattoo

So yeah, I got myself a tattoo, which you can see on the top. Getting a tattoo is something I've wanted to do since last year. I couldn't do it then because I was 17 at the time. And while there isn't an imposed age limit to getting a tattoo in Norway, most reliable tattoo studios have a self-imposed age limit of 18. Back then I was also wanting a different design, but later that year I discovered that I was asexual and aromantic. So then I really wanted a design to reflect that, even if I already have pride bracelets and an aromantic ring. But I wanted a tattoo as well and I settled on this design with an ace of spades, symbolizing asexuality (ace), and an arrow, symbolizing aromanticism (aro). (if you don't see those jokes, then I'm very disappointed)

Anyways, so I first hoped to get my tattoo shortly after my birthday in February. Unfortunately I underestimated how fully booked the local tattoo studio is, so I ended up with an appointment in March. Of course, this is 2020 and we can't have nice things. So due to the coronavirus my government implemented many restrictions, which included a closure of tattoo studios, about a week before I was supposed to get my tattoo. Of course, that didn't bother me nearly as much as not getting to see Weathering with you in the cinemas, but it meant more waiting. Weeks passed and eventually the restrictions where slowly lifted as the coronavirus got under control. This allowed for me to get my tattoo on the 28th of May.

And man was I tense before I got it. I don't know what it is about me, but sometimes I just get so filled with stress that it physically hurts. It never happens for any real reason, I mean, I wanted a tattoo, but I still felt stomach pains just from sheer stress. Could have been a lot of stuff that suddenly came up, I don't know. You know that feeling when your stomach hurts so much that you almost just want to throw up, but you can't since you don't fell nauseous at all. That is what I feel when that happens, and all I can do is to try my best to relax and focus on breathing. And of course I got that an hour before I was supposed to get my tattoo.

Luckily, once I got into the studio and talked a bit with the tattoo artist, and filled out some papers, it started calming down. The tattoo artist was a really kind woman by the way. Talked with me about the tattoo very well. And best of all, she accepted it immediately when I explained about what my tattoo symbolized. She said she knew a few asexual people, but she hadn't heard about being aromantic, but she accepted it once I explained it. Those are some of my favourite people

So after my stress reaction had calmed down and she had asked about the tattoo a bit, she began the process. First she drew the tattoo onto some special paper that she then placed onto where I wanted the tattoo, which then left the outline on my skin. After a 10-minute wait so that the outline could dry she began actually drawing the tattoo on my skin with ink an needles. It actually didn't hurt as much as I expected. It had the pain level of taking a needle. And considering that it wasn't constantly on the skin so that she could brush away excess ink, it didn't really bother me at all. Of course, the skin became really sore afterwards and for a good while afterwards, but not that bad. By the time of writing this the soreness is practically gone.

Once the tattoo was finished it got wrapped in plastic wrap. I then got a paper with information on aftercare for the tattoo, which is really important. After all, it's practically an open wound for the first two day. Anyways, I got the information, paid, went to get the recommended products and then went home. Took away the plastic wrap after a few hours, washed the tattoo and put on some ointment. I also had to sleep with plastic wrap around the tattoo the first two nights in addition to the regular washing and regularly applying ointment. There isn't much more else to be honest. I got a tattoo and I'm very pleased with it. Don't know if I'll get another one, not anytime soon at least. It isn't cheap. Anyways, I'm hoping you're all having a wonderful day. Goodbye.