It’s here! My semicolon is now permanently inked to the inside of my left wrist.
I’ve attached the video I took of the whole process. I had the opportunity to share the story of The Semicolon Project while he tattoo’d my arm, so I’ll let it tell its own story. Aron from “Gothic Realm” does an excellent job,of both tattoos and listening!
My Tattoo (This is the link to the video)
Please read back over my blogs to see the rest of the story and feel free to share.
As always,
Veritas – Eski!
Here are my final 4 options for the tattoo I will have by this time in 7 days:
1
2
3
4
See HERE for more details on why I’m choosing a semicolon at all.
I’d love to know your preference. Comment below with your favourite number and tell me why if you’d like to.
Veritas, Eski
In just over a week, I am going to a tattoo parlour with three of my friends to be inked with my first tattoo.
Since writing this post, “Permanent Ink,” I have found, once again, that people need someone to talk to. Sharing such a tiny part of my story has opened the gates for friends and acquaintances to ‘feel ok’ to talk about their own emotional story.
So, for those of you who still aren’t sure why I would choose to get a tattoo; I, who change my mind about what I like more often than others change knickers; I, who have a needle phobia; I, who do not have a style and if I did, it wouldn’t be a tattoo that was the symbol of it; here’s why.
Today, I read this article and last fortnight I read this blog post and in between I’ve read about The Semicolon Project.
I want to start a conversation with those who need it; I want to let people (including me) know that it’s ok to not be ok and that you are loved; I want to remind people (including me) to “pause and keep going.”
And that’s why, next week, I will be voluntarily extending my hand for permanent ink.
I have never considered getting a tattoo before. This has been for two main reasons:
1) Apart from God and my family, I’ve never stuck to one thing long enough to warrant contemplating having it inked permanently onto my person.
2) I have a relatively severe needle phobia. This is self-explanatory.
This afternoon, I came upon this blog post:
And I felt a blast of decision. I will do this. I will tattoo a semicolon on my inner wrist to:
1) Remind me to take a pause and keep going. When I struggle with my depression, I need this. Life throws all manner of things at us and we all need to pause and keep going.
2) Start conversations. When I’ve shared my experiences of depression on Facebook, I’ve been whelmed by the conversations that are ignited. People vent and share and feel they’re not alone. I’ve had some people say that they’ve been on the verge of taking their own lives and, having seen my posts, have felt less alone and kept going.
One woman, hearing me describe my decade at a ladies’ conference, came up to me afterwards and said that her grown up daughter felt the same way as me and they’d never understood each other. She was going home that day to apologise and help her seek help. I’ve seen her since and apparently all is going much better.
During times like this, when I feel like my depression is somewhat sorted and under my control, I often forget to share and the world sees me as ‘normal’ me. I’d like to remind others and myself that depression is often ongoing and the need to support each other is also ongoing.
If experiencing some little pain will help even one person, it’s enough. I’ve been through much better and much worse than an hour or so of needle pricks; I can do this.
I will do this. Who would like to join me?
Eski Caterpillar! 