 But what the heck is up with everybody and their mom getting tattoos? It used to be this super niche thing that, you know, criminals and sailors, I guess, did. My mom asked me this the other day from a point of actually wanting to understand why people get tattoos. I thought I'd answer it from my perspective. Two reasons. As someone who has experienced physical violation and trauma perpetrated by other people, it leaves you feeling really disconnected from your own body. Like, this feels like a crime scene is no longer safe, and getting tattoos has actually been one of the most healing things for me in reconnecting with my physical body. My parents were taken away from me, and now I am making very intentional choices about what I am going to do with my skin. Thing number two, kind of related. I have gone through a great deal of physical pain and illness in my life. So often I have hated the body that I am in because of the pain that it causes me. Doing things like this and this make me feel like I'm decorating a house that maybe I don't want to be stuck in, but I'm gonna make it mine as long as I'm here. Getting ink put on my skin has been something that has been very therapeutic and helpful to me. What are your reasons for getting tattoos? If you have any. They look cool, but that's beside the point.