an_inhaler

Cmon people, this thread was aimed to help people going through some tattoo-related anxiety, and your personal opinions or statistics about the use of tranquillisers are completely irrelevant here and not helpful at all.
I don't agree with someone saying later don't get any more tattoos. I had terrible anxiety after my first tattoo and less severe ones about my next two, and I am still happy I've got them and I will definitely get more. Anxiety is not rational, and researching your options about laser removal doesn't come from the real wish to get rid of a tattoo but is just a way to come down your mind and see that there are safety nets available in the worst case scenario. 
Some people don't have this tattoo-related anxiety at all, but in my opinion it is strongly correlated with your general mental state and how prone to anxiety your are. For me, anxiety is my mind's natural response to changes, and I am very happy I am strong enough to make those changes despite that.

Cmon people, this thread was aimed to help people going through some tattoo-related anxiety, and your personal opinions or statistics about the use of tranquillisers are completely irrelevant here and not helpful at all.
I don't agree with someone saying later don't get any more tattoos. I had terrible anxiety after my first tattoo and less severe ones about my next two, and I am still happy I've got them and I will definitely get more. Anxiety is not rational, and researching your options about laser removal doesn't come from the real wish to get rid of a tattoo but is just a way to come down your mind and see that there are safety nets available in the worst case scenario. 
Some people don't have this tattoo-related anxiety at all, but in my opinion it is strongly correlated with your general mental state and how prone to anxiety your are. For me, anxiety is my mind's natural response to changes, and I am very happy I am strong enough to make those changes despite that.

@an_inhalerThank you so much! I think you're absolutely right. This time last year, we got our first kitten. And I remember having crying jags while he would sit on my chest and be incredibly adorable – but I was full of dread and anxiety for having to take care of this brand new helpless creature. Now I can't imagine life without him (he's actually the subject of one of my very big tattoos). So I think you're very right about the brain confusing "change" with "danger".
And the meaning of my tattoo is about time being short, making the most of your time, and the 3 stars represent certain people in my life. So, yeah, it's a lot of FEELS and very VISIBLE to boot. I'm going to use this thread as a resource to keep you all updated, since I have SO appreciated you all leaving your own updates over time.
Also, your tattoo is so pretty and the placement is nice and unique. As is @Theralex's. I don't know much about Harry Potter (one person actually thought my hand tattoo was a Harry Potter one at first cos I guess there is some kind of significant hourglass in that story?) but I was immediately like "Wow, that is so dope – I want one like that but designed for my hometown". It's funny how, like with all things about ourselves, what we're critical of other people are in awe of.
Much love to everyone here!

I will also give you guys an update on how things have been going on since that first post I wrote here 4 years ago. I was a huge help for me to get support here and maybe it'll be an inspiration for someone else to see how all the anxiety fades away with time.
I LOVE my tattoo. I've got two more since then: one pretty big one on my chest (beautiful blooming flowers) and a smaller one on my back. None of them is perfect, and I love them all completely.
I've never had any problems at work (in the university) and if anything it only makes my students more interested in me and my courses :). I've never received any negative comments about my tattoos anywhere actually, and they just help me to discover and embrace my true self, which has already brought me to the most beautiful places in life.
I am much more fulfilled with my life now than I was 4 years ago and the first tattoo was one of the first steps out of the life that I didn't enjoy. 
Now I just want to get more of course.
 
Hugs xx

I will also give you guys an update on how things have been going on since that first post I wrote here 4 years ago. I was a huge help for me to get support here and maybe it'll be an inspiration for someone else to see how all the anxiety fades away with time.
I LOVE my tattoo. I've got two more since then: one pretty big one on my chest (beautiful blooming flowers) and a smaller one on my back. None of them is perfect, and I love them all completely.
I've never had any problems at work (in the university) and if anything it only makes my students more interested in me and my courses :). I've never received any negative comments about my tattoos anywhere actually, and they just help me to discover and embrace my true self, which has already brought me to the most beautiful places in life.
I am much more fulfilled with my life now than I was 4 years ago and the first tattoo was one of the first steps out of the life that I didn't enjoy. 
Now I just want to get more of course.
 
Hugs xx

I will also give you guys an update on how things have been going on since that first post I wrote here 4 years ago. I was a huge help for me to get support here and maybe it'll be an inspiration for someone else to see how all the anxiety fades away with time.
I LOVE my tattoo. I've got two more since then: one pretty big one on my chest (beautiful blooming flowers) and a smaller one on my back. None of them is perfect, and I love them all completely.
I've never had any problems at work (in the university) and if anything it only makes my students more interested in me and my courses :). I've never received any negative comments about my tattoos anywhere actually, and they just help me to discover and embrace my true self, which has already brought me to the most beautiful places in life.
I am much more fulfilled with my life now than I was 4 years ago and the first tattoo was one of the first steps out of the life that I didn't enjoy. 
Now I just want to get more of course.
 
Hugs xx

I will also give you guys an update on how things have been going on since that first post I wrote here 4 years ago. I was a huge help for me to get support here and maybe it'll be an inspiration for someone else to see how all the anxiety fades away with time.
I LOVE my tattoo. I've got two more since then: one pretty big one on my chest (beautiful blooming flowers) and a smaller one on my back. None of them is perfect, and I love them all completely.
I've never had any problems at work (in the university) and if anything it only makes my students more interested in me and my courses :). I've never received any negative comments about my tattoos anywhere actually, and they just help me to discover and embrace my true self, which has already brought me to the most beautiful places in life.
I am much more fulfilled with my life now than I was 4 years ago and the first tattoo was one of the first steps out of the life that I didn't enjoy. 
Now I just want to get more of course.
 
Hugs xx

It's beautiful! But you know it anyway since you know your feelings are not based on reality.
To give you some comfort, my anxiety passed quite quickly. Now, two and a half years ago,  I fully love my tattoo and it makes me feel so much better in my body. It's a beautiful part of me now and I can't imagine I just had a bare arm once :).
I even got a second big tattoo right on my chest from a different artist. I didn't have the same anxiety right away but a couple of months after getting it I was going through a difficult period so it hit me. Now I just realize it's like that for me with all big changes: I might want it, I might like it, but it is still going outside my comfort zone, so anxiety is natural and it just takes time to accept these things as a part of your new comfort zone.
Hope it happens soon for you, my inked buddy! In the meantime, getting support from the community reeeaaaaaaaally helps :).

It's beautiful! But you know it anyway since you know your feelings are not based on reality.
To give you some comfort, my anxiety passed quite quickly. Now, two and a half years ago,  I fully love my tattoo and it makes me feel so much better in my body. It's a beautiful part of me now and I can't imagine I just had a bare arm once :).
I even got a second big tattoo right on my chest from a different artist. I didn't have the same anxiety right away but a couple of months after getting it I was going through a difficult period so it hit me. Now I just realize it's like that for me with all big changes: I might want it, I might like it, but it is still going outside my comfort zone, so anxiety is natural and it just takes time to accept these things as a part of your new comfort zone.
Hope it happens soon for you, my inked buddy! In the meantime, getting support from the community reeeaaaaaaaally helps :).

I agree, I would not expect any negative attitude towards tattoos in academia, that's why I didn't even think about that before getting one. After that, I started thinking about all possible negative consequences of that (literally ALL, you cannot even imagine what crazy thoughts were in my head). And on one website I read somebody saying that it is a very bad idea to get a big visible tattoo if you are a university teacher. And some woman working in academia wrote in her blog that if somebody is not going to hire her because of her tattoos, then maybe it is not a place for her anyway. So, I thought, there might be this problem! 
Being in a very fragile state of mind, I over-generalized it of course. That is what I often tend to do: focus on some negative possibilities that are only in my head and worrying worrying worrying about them. So yes, I have some anxiety issues in general. The transition to being a tattooed person for some reasons for me was much harder than I could expect it to be, and it magnified all my worries. I've also had some kind of a personality crisis recently, it doesn't help either.
But I am so much better now already, especially during the day time. Mornings and evenings seem to be difficult times in this respect for me. I am starting to accept my new look and I like it very much. 
Thank you for your support a lot, people! I hope that soon I'll stop whining here for good.

Hi Emily! Your tattoo is beautiful! I also got my first one and joined the forum recently, and I am also very happy about finding this place because I have absolutely no one with any interested in tattoos among my friends.  
Welcome!

Not on me (I wish!) but I couldn't resist posting this here.
https://instagram.com/p/2XMZmTnXSj/

I agree, I would not expect any negative attitude towards tattoos in academia, that's why I didn't even think about that before getting one. After that, I started thinking about all possible negative consequences of that (literally ALL, you cannot even imagine what crazy thoughts were in my head). And on one website I read somebody saying that it is a very bad idea to get a big visible tattoo if you are a university teacher. And some woman working in academia wrote in her blog that if somebody is not going to hire her because of her tattoos, then maybe it is not a place for her anyway. So, I thought, there might be this problem! 
Being in a very fragile state of mind, I over-generalized it of course. That is what I often tend to do: focus on some negative possibilities that are only in my head and worrying worrying worrying about them. So yes, I have some anxiety issues in general. The transition to being a tattooed person for some reasons for me was much harder than I could expect it to be, and it magnified all my worries. I've also had some kind of a personality crisis recently, it doesn't help either.
But I am so much better now already, especially during the day time. Mornings and evenings seem to be difficult times in this respect for me. I am starting to accept my new look and I like it very much. 
Thank you for your support a lot, people! I hope that soon I'll stop whining here for good.

@TrixieFaux I teach middle school special education.
and if anyone cares, its been two weeks and now I have no remorse at all about it. It already feels great and can only be better when its healed.

I agree, I would not expect any negative attitude towards tattoos in academia, that's why I didn't even think about that before getting one. After that, I started thinking about all possible negative consequences of that (literally ALL, you cannot even imagine what crazy thoughts were in my head). And on one website I read somebody saying that it is a very bad idea to get a big visible tattoo if you are a university teacher. And some woman working in academia wrote in her blog that if somebody is not going to hire her because of her tattoos, then maybe it is not a place for her anyway. So, I thought, there might be this problem! 
Being in a very fragile state of mind, I over-generalized it of course. That is what I often tend to do: focus on some negative possibilities that are only in my head and worrying worrying worrying about them. So yes, I have some anxiety issues in general. The transition to being a tattooed person for some reasons for me was much harder than I could expect it to be, and it magnified all my worries. I've also had some kind of a personality crisis recently, it doesn't help either.
But I am so much better now already, especially during the day time. Mornings and evenings seem to be difficult times in this respect for me. I am starting to accept my new look and I like it very much. 
Thank you for your support a lot, people! I hope that soon I'll stop whining here for good.

I think you are over-generalizing the perceptions of people in academia. I am a college president - got my first two tattoos within this past year. I have a great number of staff and faculty who sport tattoos, some visible and some covered. I've not seen any negative reaction to either males of females who have tattoos around my college. Granted, there can be an elitist snobbery at work in some institutions, especially among older members of the community who were raised when tattoos were not as prevalent or accepted, but that seems to be dwindling rapidly as the more junior members of the faculty, staff and administration are promoted into the ranks. For me, I use my decision to get tattooed as a way to encourage acceptance and tolerance of diversity in all forms. Surprising that the more liberal community that demands inclusiveness tends to be at the heart of discrimination and intolerance of people with ink, no?

Love your tattoo! Check out the threads threads over in the Tattoo After Care section. Great info and lots of folks to share the healing process with as you move through the heal. It looks great!

Thanks, @Makar! I do like my tattoo. It makes me very happy when I am not panicking =). Then I just remember why I did it and it al makes sense. 
It is just so very new for me. It's been only a week! It is also itchy now so I am constantly paying attention to it. I think it will also be better when it heals completely. 
 

I had this very strongly with my 2nd tattoo. The nights were the worst where I'd hollow in deep regret. Then I got used to it and I kept getting more. I found out that the problem for me was that I went from feeling like a spectator of the tattoo world to feeling like a member. It felt like an identity shift which was causing all the internal conflict.

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Welcome to LST, hope you find it useful and engaging and you stick around.  May we see a photo of your new tattoo?  As others have already posted, this feeling is not uncommon - you've had 24 years of looking (more or less) the same, and now there's a picture on you!  You'll get over it, and heck you may even end up with a lot more.

I like your tattoo and I hear in your words that you do too!  I also hear words like 'panic attack', 'feel very silly' and 'am unstable'.  Maybe you need to be kind to yourself in the bigger life picture?  Your tattoo is cool - relax about it.  If terms like panic attacks are literal, I can say that I have been there and have overcome them, in time.  Sometimes our angst can be focused on something that actually isn't the issue - that has been my experience.  

our goal is to grow and learn. this is just the next step in your personal evolution. you've found the right place. stick with LST and keep learning.

welcome to LST and to the world of being a tattooed person!
It sounds like your experience so far has already triggered you to self-assess a bit. Perhaps there has always been a tsunami inside of you and this external change has magnified it or forced you to pay attention to it. Now you get to learn to control and harness it. Check out this short, yet meaningful thread, if you haven't already:
https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/5645-cool-stuff-youve-learnedgotten-intoetc-thanks-to-getting-tattooed/?page=1

I think I might have felt this way many moons ago, but now I can't stop. Don't worry about it. You'll get used to it. I have an office job in a great company, and no one is bothered by my tattoos.

Welcome to the forum. Lots of great people and advice to be had here! Both of mine are in places where they can be covered by short sleeves so I haven't had the same experience. I do have many people who work for me who have visible tattoos...and it has had no impact on how they are perceived at work. Hopefully, your experiences will be the same. As you get more confident, you can always test the waters with friends and trusted colleagues and then expand your "circle" beyond them.