How do you ever know for sure?

Question

I'm planning out a tattoo right now, and I'm wondering, how is it possible to know that I will want something forever? I don't know how I will change in the years to come.

It's not that I am worried about having ink on my body, its just how can a tattoo be right for life? I'm worried that in 20 years I'll think, man I wish I had more space on my back so I that could get (blank).

What are your thoughts on this? If you have tattoos, what made you know that what you picked out was right for you?

Why I'm asking:

I'm stuck between going with something really wild and original (a red cape that starts on the left side of my chest and flows down my back) and something safe (the words "lead me to the rock" on the back of my left shoulder and "that is higher than I" on my right...kind of similar to Jenna Jameson's Joan of Arc tat)

Answer 1

i thought about mine for a long time. i have an 'unofficial rule' that i have to want a tattoo for 6 months before i get it. and i get one a year, over the summer, so i have lots of time to think about it. but really, i just find one and it seems 'right'.

if you're not sure if you will want it always, wait. there's no big rush, you have to know it's right for you.  

Answer 2

if you think you want something big then give yourself loads of time to think about, maybe even a year or so. dont rush into it. make sure that its something you love, or an idea or belief that you are very sure about. i wanted a back piece for a long time, but i wasnt 100% sure of how exactly i wanted it to look, it took almost 2 yrs before i finally knew.  thank god i waited and didnt rush it, cause ive had it for 4 yrs now and i still love it.

also, my tattoo is really original, i have never seen anything as extreme as it, and people always come up to me and compliment it.

im soo glad i didnt rush.  

just take your time and have patience. good luck.

Answer 3

If you are at all unsure, then don't do it (at least not yet).  Give yourself a certain amount of time (maybe even a year or two) and if you still want to get the same tattoo, then you'll be a little bit more sure (although not completely sure) that you'll want it for the rest of your life.

Answer 4

I'm covered in tattoo's and i'll tell you, i don't regret any of them. You have to remember that when you get a tattoo, it's also a memory. Every piece i have on me tells a story of my life, of who i was and what i was feeling at the time of picking out the piece (even the silly one that i deny having.

My last piece i got right after i got out of a bad relationship (ended with him holding a knife to my throat kinda bad) and so three days later i went and got a tattoo of a phoenix that starts under my left ear and flows down the side of my neck on to my shoulder blade. I got the phoenix to remind myself every time i look in the mirror that i could have lost everything that night, but instead i rose from the ashes once again and became who i am today.

moral of the story: There are a few tattoo's that i wish i had done a little differently (but that's why they make cover ups!) but i honestly wouldn't change them for anything because it's kinda like my own personal story path into becoming the person i am today.

Answer 5

If you have the slightest doubt, don't do it, there are no life time guarantees which is why it is so important to really think about what you have done.

Answer 6

I was 15 when I got my first tattoo. My name pretty big on my lower back in old English.

I have accepted it and love it. When people ask me what it means to me I tell them "it means I was young and stupid".

I wish I had it to do over ONLY because I have such better tattoo ideas now!

But...whats done is done. It made me so happy back then that I don't know if I would ever actually take it back if I had the chance.

All my other tattoos were done when I was older and I truly love them and they have real meaning.

Im pretty sure if it actually means something special to you it will make  you happy for life.  

Answer 7

I agree with the other answers - if you have any doubt at all, don't get it done yet.  You'll know when it's the right tattoo and the right time.  If it is meaningful to you, I don't think you will ever regret it.  However, you might regret getting something really big and not having space for something else; so I would suggest not getting a big piece (like the cape) if you've only started your tattoo collection.  For that, you should wait several years until you know for sure you don't want anything else in that space.

Answer 8

Really, the only way to know that you're going to want something forever is to select something that meets two qualifications:

1) Looks good

2) Is meaningful.

If it is meaningful to you and is attractive and tasteful, you'll never regret it.

Answer 9

If you have any doubts about it, then you will regret it in the future.

When something comes along that catches your eye like no other tattoo has, and you can put in to words why you want it, exactly, (besides "It looks cool") then you won't regret that.

Answer 10

I pretty much agree with everyone here if you're having doubts now you should probably not get it. Its something that you get knowing that its for life. Unless of course you want to go through the pain of getting it removed. And trust me its very painful probably more painful than getting the tattoo. My best bet is to just not get it. I mean i've thought about it and i know i want it and no doubt that its gonna be there. So if you want something small start off that way. Get something small and go from there. The artist i'm sure will be happy to leave room for a later tat or help you to customize one later to fit into what you want. I just think that its one of those things that should i or shouldn't i do it and then you do it and then you think d**n y did i do it. Plus its one of those choices you gotta live with. Hope that helped.