Just as I was beginning to feel like I had moulded into a graceful young woman and was finally rid of my 4^th form rebellious behaviours when an overwhelming urge to shave my head, acquire a skateboard and buy a new pair of DC street shoes was upon me.

A couple of weeks after getting my nose pierced (you know – to ‘complete the look’)  did I decide to undergo yet more pain and get my first tattoo with one of my closest friends by my side.

What you must know is that this was not one of those split second decisions that could have the potential of ruining my life, but something I had planned for quite some time. It would be a 21^st present to myself and a memory I would always remember and cherish.

It reads “To be loved like a watered flower” and is placed horizontally along my ribs.

It is a modified excerpt from Buddha and can simply be described as an unconditional love and respect for something pure and beautiful.

“When a flower is picked, it is shown affection until its appearance begins to deteriorate. When a flower is loved, it is cherished, watered and enabled to grow”.

I was filled with anxiousness and riddled with fear of the unknown but it wasn’t long before my nerves began to feel unwarranted. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the feeling of being stabbed repetitively by multiple tiny needles was not as daunting as it would first appear. Not only was it merely a moderate scratching sensation (however, a little uncomfortable at times) but once the tattoo was completed, the pain stopped; entirely – unlike my piercing which hurt for multiple weeks following.

The biggest and only disappointment of the whole experience was not being allowed to bathe in bubbles until the tattoo had healed – a huge sacrifice but a tolerable one none the less.

It is now a month after I decided to permanently scar my body with ink and I can confidently say that my tattoo looks absolutely f**king perfect.

Thank you to Kieran at Flax Roots for your exceptional handwriting skills. You killed it!

Much love,

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