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Tattoos

Thinking about a tattoo or piercing? Find inspiration and advice on our Tattoo forum.

Original poster

Tattoo: good idea or mid life crisis?

43 replies

BigBirthdayDilemma · 16/02/2024 23:04

I’m heading for a big birthday and I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while. The tattoo itself is something very meaningful to me. My only hesitation is that I have a fairly senior professional job, and DH isn’t keen. If I go for it will I spend the rest of my life regretting it, feeling conscious, and trying to cover it up?

OP posts:
2024WasNotInFactMyYear · 16/02/2024 23:15

I think it depends how long ‘a while’ is. A decade? A few months?

If it’s going to come between you and your DH or job, presumably two core components of your life, then I’d be hesitant.

It’s completely your choice, but I’d personally not want the inconvenience that might come with it, no matter how incredible the tattoo is.

shellyleppard · 16/02/2024 23:18

Op could you have it on your shoulder or back???

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 16/02/2024 23:18

I got a tattoo for my 21st, and another when I was 25
They're not great, if I'm honest, but no rerets, they are a part of me thar will always be that age.
I'd go for it

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 16/02/2024 23:19

I would just add, my tattoos are not noticeable unless I want you to see them!

dementedpixie · 16/02/2024 23:19

It depends where it is. I got my 1st tattoo in my 40s and now have 4. They can all be covered

Doglegs · 16/02/2024 23:23

Go for it. I was thinking about one for a couple of years. Done it recently. Also work in a proper job. It's so normal now! My tattoo artist at a very nice studio said she'd had lots of women in their 40s in recently getting delicate meaningful tattoos.

You only live once.

Make sure you find someone decent who does the style you want

WelshNerd · 16/02/2024 23:31

I had mine before I turned 40 and consider it to be both a good idea and a mid life crisis.

Mine is on my forearm so often visible in work. I've never received any negative comments.

DH has two tattoos (one of which is awful) so that wasn't an issue. I probably wouldn't have done it if he wasn't happy.

Original poster
BigBirthdayDilemma · 17/02/2024 06:36

Thank you for all your responses. They’re so balanced and helpful. I’m glad I asked.

To answer a few questions/respond to comments. I’ve been thinking about it for a few years. It would be on my wrist. Strangely, the idea of somewhere more hidden doesn’t appeal as much. I know a tattoo artist who I trust.

@WelshNerd I love the concept of it being a mid life crisis AND a good idea.

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 17/02/2024 06:45

I have a lovely tattoo on the underside of my wrist, it’s simple and elegant and I absolutely love it.
I also have 4 others. There was one I decided I wasn’t so keen on anymore and got it covered with a better one. I love all my tattoos (I’m mid 30’s and got all mine between the ages of 24-30). I’m considering tattoo number 6.
Main thing I’d suggest is making sure you find the tattooist who suits what you want, be prepared to travel for that.

marshmallowfinder · 17/02/2024 07:00

I think tatoos don't look good at all, especially random blobs on the wrist in a professional workplace. I know if I had one, I'd get truly fed up of looking at it after a few weeks. Plus they all turn dark blue and smudged in the end and look terrible. I just wouldn't, OP.

Tatonka · 17/02/2024 07:32

I feel given you're a bit wary of it, you shouldn't do it. Wait til the next milestone birthday

LaPalmaLlama · 17/02/2024 07:37

I’d have the design created and then sit on it for a bit. If you still want it in a year, do it. I am quite fickle and I worry that what I thought looked amazing now seemed kind of trite or I’d just have gone off the script.

E.g. I used to love a certain saying and now I realise it’s a bit problematic and I’m glad I didn’t write it on myself.

FrangipaniBlue · 17/02/2024 07:45

Plus they all turn dark blue

No they don't.

DustyLee123 · 17/02/2024 07:46

I’ve been considering one for several years, and I’ve decided that if I really wanted it I’d have done it by now. So I’m not going to get it.

FrangipaniBlue · 17/02/2024 07:46

I have a very senior professional job, nobody has ever commented on my tattoos other than to say they like them/how much I suit them/ask about them.

My only advice is to really think carefully about what you want, but it sounds like you already have!

hattie43 · 17/02/2024 08:11

I think you are me OP.

Most of my adult life I had a professional job where it wouldn't have been appropriate.
I had wanted a small tattoo on my wrist for years but now I have left said job I still haven't had the tattoo. I am 60 in a few years and determined to get one but I'm also filled with inertia , do I like the thought of one more than the reality , will I regret it , will it hurt , what if I get bored of the design etc etc .
I'm amazed at how some people get them with gay abandonment yet for me it seems such a big decision .

Startingagainandagain · 17/02/2024 08:18

Tattoos are very common these days so there is less of a stigma.

I would say go for it but spend time researching to find a good tattoo studio/artist.

Something you could do as well as a test is put on a little fake on in the place where you are thinking of getting the real one...if you are not fed up with it after a couple of days then you can go for the real thing!

It is on the list of things I want to do too.

I had some really bad health issues recently and I am getting better but it made me think about what I would want to experience in my life and getting a small tattoo was on my list! I told myself that if I got better I would get one.

Now I just need to get the money together and I am still thinking about the right design.

SwedishEdith · 17/02/2024 08:21

So many people have tattoos now that they're not really things anyone even conments on any more. I think the fact that you feel hesitant is more of a sign to wait until you don't. A big birthday is just an artificial date in the calendar so wait until you're sure it's what you want.

AcridAndStanLee · 17/02/2024 08:29

Wrist tattoos are so commonplace now, most work places don't have an issue with them. I have one plus a small one on my inner bicep and above my elbow on the outside. On the rare occasion they have been on show, they have not caused any issues.

I will say there is a difference in opinions for more senior employees but are you concerned they will judge you? If so, why? It's a wrist tattoo which is not the same as a neck or face tattoo which while lovely for some is not appropriate.

OldTinHat · 17/02/2024 08:31

I had my first tattoo on my 30th birthday. XDH had said he'd divorce me if I got a tattoo - I divorced him for cheating 4yrs before!

They're addictive! I went from tiny to large. I have many although there's only two that are seen all the time, one on the edge of my palm and one large one on the inside of my forearm (which I'm regularly complimented on).

Go for it, I say! But be prepared to get addicted!

OldTinHat · 17/02/2024 08:35

marshmallowfinder · 17/02/2024 07:00

I think tatoos don't look good at all, especially random blobs on the wrist in a professional workplace. I know if I had one, I'd get truly fed up of looking at it after a few weeks. Plus they all turn dark blue and smudged in the end and look terrible. I just wouldn't, OP.

They absolutely don't turn dark blue or smudged! My watercolour tattoo still has every yellow, pink, turquoise, red, orange, green, red after 15yrs.

Maybe you're looking at prison tattoos??

Darkenergy · 17/02/2024 08:36

I got my first at 40. No regrets, I still love it and the process of choosing a design and artist. Take your time over that.

A senior manager at my work is heavily tattooed himself so definitely no issues there. Tattoos are so commonplace now that I would be surprised if no other managers at yours have one.

AgnesX · 17/02/2024 08:38

Why? What's your thinking behind getting one. I ask as getting one doesn't seem terribly radical these days (although it may still be frowned upon in some professions)

Maireas · 17/02/2024 08:39

Getting a tattoo is not the sign of a mid life crisis.
They are not alternative now, and like multiple piercings, very mainstream. (As long as they're not offensive!)
Many teachers have them where I work, the nurse who took my bloods, the woman in the Building Society who helped me - they're everywhere, so I wouldn't worry about the "professional" look. That ship has sailed!

Brawcolli · 17/02/2024 08:40

It’s your body, personally I don’t think your husband gets a say in what you do with it! You could get it on an easily hidden area if you’re worried about people judging or wanting to cover it up. I’ve got loads of tattoos, some decades old, none have ‘turned blue’ or smudged yet.