This is lovely: ‘The idea of regret isn’t something that ever occurs to me any more, simply because I have no shame about any of my previous incarnations— they are all part of the person I will become tomorrow”. A helpful reminder for me, too
Brilliant piece, Kathryn. I’ve been considering my first tattoo (at the tender age of 39) and I related to a lot of what you’ve written here. Weirdly this wasn’t something I ever seriously considered before becoming a mum - but I really get the cry for that personal humanity you speak of. I think your serpent is glorious.
Love love love your writing! ❤️ The way you express nuances and manage to turn seemingly mundane topics into such thoughtful and beautifully flowing pieces is just such a joy to read. Any thoughts on offering writing courses in the future? ☺️😁
Loved this just added 3 more at the grand old age of 49 hate the idea of the end with nothing to show for it . My tattoos are a representing of me, my life and my stories to tell ….
My mid-life "crisis" lead me to getting a full chest piece - I have the fibonacci sequence repeating across my chest, I love it. People are sometimes aghast to see something poking out the top of my shirt. I work in government but I refuse to look the part. My OCD had me picking my skin a lot through the years and scarring myself so this is my way of embracing/ending that mess with some art on top. The tattoo is not my first but by far the biggest and most showy. Some say I'm not allowed to put anything there at this age of my life because I'm going to be a wrinkly-chested old lady soon. These things should go on one's back. But then even less people would see it. I like it being known, if partially. It gave me confidence to get out there and date again (I'm divorced), and brought me into the creative expression phase of my rebirth that ultimately brings me here to Substack to write. Thanks for sharing! (I guess my tattoo will be one of my posts soon in my occasionally midlife-crisis oriented theme).
This is lovely: ‘The idea of regret isn’t something that ever occurs to me any more, simply because I have no shame about any of my previous incarnations— they are all part of the person I will become tomorrow”. A helpful reminder for me, too
Brilliant piece, Kathryn. I’ve been considering my first tattoo (at the tender age of 39) and I related to a lot of what you’ve written here. Weirdly this wasn’t something I ever seriously considered before becoming a mum - but I really get the cry for that personal humanity you speak of. I think your serpent is glorious.
Love love love your writing! ❤️ The way you express nuances and manage to turn seemingly mundane topics into such thoughtful and beautifully flowing pieces is just such a joy to read. Any thoughts on offering writing courses in the future? ☺️😁
This is a very good idea! I will certainly think about how I could do it! x
Loved this just added 3 more at the grand old age of 49 hate the idea of the end with nothing to show for it . My tattoos are a representing of me, my life and my stories to tell ….
Brilliant, as ever ❤️
My mid-life "crisis" lead me to getting a full chest piece - I have the fibonacci sequence repeating across my chest, I love it. People are sometimes aghast to see something poking out the top of my shirt. I work in government but I refuse to look the part. My OCD had me picking my skin a lot through the years and scarring myself so this is my way of embracing/ending that mess with some art on top. The tattoo is not my first but by far the biggest and most showy. Some say I'm not allowed to put anything there at this age of my life because I'm going to be a wrinkly-chested old lady soon. These things should go on one's back. But then even less people would see it. I like it being known, if partially. It gave me confidence to get out there and date again (I'm divorced), and brought me into the creative expression phase of my rebirth that ultimately brings me here to Substack to write. Thanks for sharing! (I guess my tattoo will be one of my posts soon in my occasionally midlife-crisis oriented theme).