Anyone get super anxious when change happens or making a big decision? (Tattoo specific question) Mine might be minor but I have anxiety about wanting a tattoo (or more) one day. I really like them and would like to get some, but it makes me nervous to do so for a couple of reasons. One is the opinion of my parents. Even though I’m 24, I still live at home (happily I might add) and they (especially my mom) don’t like them at all. I’ve made choices in the past that they didn’t agree with, like color my hair a bunch, but I think maybe because hair can be changed back and a tattoo really can’t that that part gets me? Two is how I’ll react to it. I normally like change but I don’t tend to react to it well which is an interesting predicament. For example I normally have brown hair but I went and got it silver blonde once because it was something I really wanted for awhile, but it was so different that I broke down crying thinking I made a mistake even though this was what I wanted! I got over it eventually and then I liked it! So I’m afraid that if I get a tattoo that it’ll hit me what I did, even if I do like it, and just break down again (so annoying honestly). I’m also indecisive about it, as in the type of image or words I want. I’ll have an idea and just sit on it for months at LEAST to make sure if it’s what I want and I end up changing my mind. Lately I had an idea I wanted for over a year and I still like it, but I’m still nervous I’ll change my mind again and regret it. I also am worried about changing my look so drastically. I see images of people with super cool tattoos on their arms and legs and whatnot and I’m in awe they look awesome! And I’d want some too! But then part of me feels like I’d be someone I’m not, even thought it’s been something I wanted for actual years, if that makes sense. Any thoughts or opinions on this? I feel like once the virus has lightened up and it’s safe to do more things it’d be cool to maybe get one on my birthday, starting off small, but I don’t know!

Alyosha

Date posted: 5y

I think wanting to like things 100% can be a kind of perfectionism. I spent weeks shopping for the perfect dishes. It’s a commitment buying dishes (because I’m a frugal minimalist). I opened them and felt disappointed. They weren’t the right blue. The blue made me feel off/anxious. But, I know that I’m this way, and so I knew I needed to sleep on it. I love them now. I think in a weird way you can become “compassionate” toward inanimate things like dishes and tattoos for not being perfect, and even come to like their imperfections.

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

I never even knew this was considered perfectionism but I relate a bunch with what you said, being disappointed or panicked but later on growing to love it, thank you a bunch for your answer!

Sanom Shd

Date posted: 5y

Yes I also do have perfectionism.I always used to to asses each and everything as very good or very bad.There was no way for me judge anything as moderate.This always increased my anxiety.I also can not tollerate any change in anything.

catattak

Date posted: 5y

Good lord I can barely decide what to make for dinner these days. I have one tattoo. Got it when I was 15 somewhere the wasnt legal. Thank goodness I still like it. But if I didnt it would still be fun because it would remind me of the free-spirited person I was or the head space I was in. However, there are tats I have wanted to get and decided against and am glad I dont have those ones. They were crummy, pretentious ideas.

Evelyn4416

Date posted: 5y

That’s the hard part with tattoo ideas, we like them one time in our lives and later on have the chance to not. I guess we just have to decide on something we like and go for it sometimes ?

catattak

Date posted: 5y

@Evelyn4416 Agreed! To be fair, art is always going to be fun!

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