The Dream of a Tattoo - Tattoo or not tattoo?

Tattoo or no tattoo? The dilemma of decision making, and how I deal with it on the beach...

A humorous insight into the thoughts and doubts that people go through before getting a tattoo.

Hello dear readers,

Today I would like to talk about a topic that is as old as the art of tattooing itself: The decision to get a tattoo or not. It's a dilemma that many of us go through when we stand outside the tattoo parlor, with a wild mix of anticipation, doubt and the pressing question: "Is this really a good idea?"

Let's be honest, tattoos are so much more than just images on the skin. They are statements, memories, works of art and sometimes an expression of whimsy. The idea of having something so permanent on our bodies can cause a mixture of tension and fear - as if we are standing in front of a shaky stepping stone into the unknown.

The dream of cool ink

We all know those moments when we imagine what we would look like with a cool tattoo. Maybe it's the dragon winding across our back or the delicate floral pattern on our wrist. The idea is tempting, and for a moment we can already see ourselves in our "tattooed" skin.

The endless search for meaning

Another dilemma is the question of meaning. Should a tattoo have a profound meaning or just be beautiful? Some of us have the epic story behind our tattoo at the ready, while others say, "I just thought it was cool." Both approaches are perfectly fine. Because at the end of the day, it's all about how the tattoo fits us and our life story.

And then there are those who get tattoos out of pure self-irony. A funny motif that tells a story about your tendency to be clumsy, or the unforgettable moment when you tried to make sushi yourself and failed miserably. Yes, such tattoos exist, and they are wonderful.

Ink, tricks and frolicking

But you know what? In this colorful world of tattoos, there is no right or wrong way. Sometimes we take the ink seriously, sometimes not so much. Sometimes we opt for the wings of a phoenix to symbolize our transformation, and sometimes for a cheeseburger because the hunger is real.

On that note, dear adventurers, let's embrace the dilemma. Tattoos are like life itself - a wild, colorful ride with ups and downs, forks and turns. In the end, when we decide to get a tattoo, we turn it into a party on our skin - and invite all our fears to dance along.

Show me, show me, show me you love me

Let's talk about the ultimate testing ground for a freshly inked tattoo - sand, sun and salt water! We're already in the final weeks of summer, so let's head south. Ready for a wild ride?

So there we are, on the white sandy beach, with our brand new artwork on our skin. We feel like works of art on display at an open-air art market. The sun is smiling, the waves are dancing, and you're holding your freshly tattooed shoulder in a bow as if it were a sacred treasure. But wait a minute, what about sunburn? And the cursed salt water?

Sunscreen: The holy elixir for the newly tattooed.

Sunscreen becomes your tattoo's best friend, promising to protect it from the sun's harmful rays. You smear and dab as if you were restoring a work of art. And then the question: "Is that enough? Or do I need a thick layer like a wall of sunscreen?"

Now we're ready for the ultimate stage show: the unveiling of our brand new tattoo in front of an assembled beach crowd!

Beach exhibitionism: when ink becomes a star

Imagine taking off your beachwear on the beach and letting your new tattoo shine in the spotlight for the first time. Not only do the waves applaud, but every beachgoer seems to have their own opinion of your new tattoo. It steals the show, collects glances and compels admiration. People whisper behind closed doors as you stroll past. And while some may think you're crazy to flaunt your tattoo like this, you feel like a bold ink revolutionary redefining the norms of beach aesthetics. In that adventurous spirit, my intrepid ink enthusiasts, life with a new tattoo on the beach is a wild mix of color, exhibitionism and bold mayhem. Your ink becomes the canvas in the open-air museum, and you are the curator of this quirky work of art.every look you get feels like a judgment on your decision. But hey, you took a chance, you survived the tattoo tornado, and you deserve to be proud!

Until at some point you don't care what others think and you enjoy an Aperol Sprizz at the bar. The sun casts a spotlight effect on you and your tattoo. And that's a good thing.

The return: A wild adventure in memory

And then, after sun, salt and sand, you return home. Your tattoo has survived the journey, perhaps a little more tanned, a little flakier, but definitely richer in experiences. It's like a trophy that you wear on your skin - a story of sun, sand and a dose of craziness.

On that stormy note, tattoo travelers, let's celebrate our tattoos, whether they've caught grains of sand or not. Because at the end of the day, life is an adventure, and our tattoos remind us that we were brave enough to face the storm.

Text: Julian Bachman

Graphic: Jonas Bachmann