It’s hard to forget your first tattoo. In this ‘My First Time,’ Rasheem recounts walking into a tattoo parlor for a consultation, only to leave with his first tattoo that very same visit. After the heavy decision to drop out of college, despite being the first of his family to attend, Rasheem was left feeling confused and overwhelmed. He went through a tough time trying to manage all of the expectations of his friends and family, and figure out for himself what was next. This experience inspired the design of an anchor. The tattoo placement was also picked with purpose, on the back of his left arm, the same side as his heart.
One day after finishing up work early, he walked into a random tattoo parlor with the design in mind, hoping for a quote and consultation. Instead, the artist urged him to get it right then and there and Rasheem agreed. Shaken up by the spontaneity, he was hoping to listen to One Direction’s newly released album “Take Me Home” for comfort. The artist advised him not to as he believed he should be fully present in the experience since it was his first. Since his first tattoo experience, Rasheem continued to get tattooed (13 more times to be exact) but his anchor remains to be his favorite piece to date.
Thinking about getting your first tattoo? Make sure you read up on these 13 key things-to-know so that you feel confident when deciding to commit. If you’re still wavering on your exact design choice or placement, consider test driving the tattoo with Inkbox. Browse inkbox’s2,500+ catalog designs created by artists around the world or use the custom platform to create any fresh design you have in mind. All of Inkbox’s tattoos look like permanent tattoos, but only last for one to two weeks, so they give you a chance to live with your prospective tattoo and placement of choice to see if it’s the right fit for you. Just a heads up, Inside Out is powered by the folks at Inkbox. It’s all part of our shared mission to empower you to tell your unique story, be it for now or forever.
Related: Why Mei Got Her First Tattoo in Honor of Her Parents