Tattoo Tempted Tori - Just Jill Advice, Rambler Cafe Blog

Tattoo Tempted Tori - Just Jill

Just Jill is the creation of Jill Cohen Morris. Jill is an avid rambler and married mother of two from Toronto, Canada, with a remarkable zest for life and a fabulous sense of humor. 
Dear Just Jill,
To tattoo or not to tattoo … that is the question.

When I was younger, I toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo. What stopped me? Let’s start with the pain. I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to pain. Also, I never had a clear vision of what I wanted. I just liked the idea of a tattoo. In the back of my mind, I always feared that I would have regrets.

Here I am now, thirty-five years later, still thinking I would really like a tattoo. You would think I would be able to just go for it. Wrong!! I still can’t seem to take the plunge.

Looking for advice from my wise Sole Sisters. Do any of you have tattoos? Any regrets? Did you do something meaningful or just a design that you liked? Did it hurt?
 
What’s a gal to do?

Sincerely,
Tattoo Tempted Tori

Sole Sister Advice & Comments 
  • I had my tattoo done six years ago, and I have never regretted it for a second! I had a little discomfort, but it didn't really hurt. Go for it!!!

  • I have always been fascinated with tattoos. I’m curious about the designs that people choose and the reasons why. I understand why you feel scared about taking the plunge. It is permanent, after all. About 15 years ago, I finally took the plunge and got one. I love mine and don’t regret it at all. It is a part of me. One of the things I did before getting mine was research the different artistic styles of tattoo artists in my area. Some are better than others, and they might have ideas that inspire you. Another thing, I would wait until you find a design that really has meaning for you. As for the pain, it’s very temporary and not very memorable

  • My daughters and I got tattoos on our ankles many years ago. It was a wonderful bonding experience. I've since gotten four more, and each has meaning for me. I love them. I didn't find the experience painful.

  • I am most afraid that I will not like it once I get it or that the artist made an error. I really want to get a tattoo with my sister in memory of our mom, but I can’t take the plunge.

  • I got my first tattoo at 48, a big one on my upper thigh, and I ADORE it! Fast forward 15 years, and now I have ones on my arms. I wish I had gotten them sooner! I "felt them" before I had them; they are super specific to my soul, so I did the basic design myself, and that's the key to me. GO FOR IT

  • Coming from a gal with a similar background on tattoos. I went for it and now have 9. Do I regret it? Not for a moment. Each one has a deep meaning for me. Pain? Very little to No pain on arms or ankles, pain on fingers and ribcage. YOLO!!

  • No to tattoos. They don't age well. They cover beautiful, healthy skin.

  • As a person with a lot of tattoos who has been getting them for the past 25 years, a couple of things to know: They hurt, and there’s very little that you can do about it, but that’s also the point. The pain helps it stick in your memory. The best thing to do is to pick an area on the outside of your body and stay away from the soft inner bits, like the inside of your arms or the pit of your knee. Bony parts also don’t feel great. The next thing is to start small. A small tattoo can be done in one sitting. If you go big, it may take multiple times, and if you find it uncomfortable, you may hesitate to return and finish it. 

  • Tattoos can mark an important time in your life, remind you of a person you love, or sometimes they can be of no importance at all. They are just something that you enjoy. Get over the idea of picking something that you will love forever. I have several tattoos that aren’t the best; either my original idea hasn’t lasted the test of time, or the quality of the work ended up not being that great. Either way, trying to project what future you will still be in love with is silly. Tattoos remind me of a point in life; even if they’re faded or blurry, they make me laugh. So go get your tattoo!! 

  • I’m a proud tattoo wearer! I didn’t get my first tattoo until I was 45. Then I got my second, third, and, well, my seventh last year at the age of 53. If pain is what is holding you back, think of body placement. Some areas are far more sensitive than others. Anything close to the bone (shin, feet, spine/ribs) will be much more sensitive than areas with a bit more cushion (bicep, thigh). My first tattoo was in honor of my mom, who I lost to cancer. Took me five years to figure it out, but the meaning gave me the power to do it. All my tattoos have very specific meanings, and each is very special. But be warned…tattoos are addictive!

  • I have pondered having one, but I have a severe needle phobia. I think there’s a scene in Friends where Phoebe ends up with just a dot as she chickens out - that would be me!!

  • I don't care for them. To each their own. I'm told they are expensive as well. Friends and relatives have them, and many are in remembrance of someone who passed away. To me, they feel like a walking tombstone.

  • I love tattoos—I have three—but my husband hates them. I got one last year (behind my ear), and he didn’t talk to me for three days. I so very much want more. 

  • I also had this same dilemma, and then a good friend asked me what I was getting myself for my 60th birthday. I talked to a good friend about her tattoos and said that I was thinking of getting one and was not sure of the pain, if I would like it, etc. When I asked her if I was to get a tattoo, would she come with me? She said absolutely, and if it wasn't for her making the appointment and coming with me and staying until it was all over, I don't think I would have done it. I absolutely love my tattoo!! 

  • I'm not pro- or anti-tattoo; most of my friends have at least one. I feel more like a rebel because I do not have any tattoos! I suppose my choice has to do with discomfort with body modifications, too. 

  • The best advice I received was to post a picture of the tattoo I wanted onto my computer or phone as a screensaver for six months. The idea was that if I saw it at length on my computer or phone every day and still liked it, I would probably not regret it later. I ended up getting the tattoo, my first one, at age 57. I have no regrets, and it's still the screensaver on my phone.

  • If it's something you really want, do it. Personally, I have never felt the desire... not due to pain, etc.

  • I have two tattoos. One is in memory of my dad, and I love it. The other one, not so much… always trust your gut about inking your body. I got the second one for someone, and it turned out he wasn’t who he portrayed himself to be. If you’re going to get a tattoo, make sure it’s for you

  • I used to be anti-tattoo; I thought, especially on women, that they were unfeminine. Old-fashioned thinking, I guess. I'm starting to come around to at least appreciate the art, but I have mostly been of the mindset that to each their own, and I'm not likely to get one for myself. However, a couple of years ago, I read about the fad of semicolon tattoos, and it really spoke to me. Having lived through an intense depression in my life and battled depression on and off, I felt if I ever got one, it would incorporate a semicolon. If I ever put something permanently on my body, it won't just be for art; it has to have a deep meaning.

We look forward to hearing your advice in the comments!

Happy Rambling!

SSR doesn't endorse the advice or content shared in this column. Our goal is to access the wisdom of our incredible Sole Sisters.

READ MORE > Ask Just Jill, Rambler Cafe Blog


2 comments


  • Cynthia

    Just came back from beautiful Curacao where I was introduced to a local artist and had a sea turtle tattooed on my right top shoulder. Absolutely stunning will never ever forget this trip and will never regret this tattoo. My suggestion, wherever you get your tattoo, do it somewhere that is significant to you.


  • Selina Steele

    I have a traditional Maori tattoo under my boob and the words “Haven has a plan for you” entwined it. It was my reminder to not unalive myself and I’m very happy to say it worked!! I think tattoos have to have a really strong personal meaning.


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.