I’m 75 years old and I just got my first tattoo. It’s something I’ve always wanted. When my daughter saw it, she said, “Mom, what were you thinking? At your age, getting a tattoo is not appropriate, it’s embarrassing. You’re supposed to be a dignified grandmother, not a rebellious teenager. It looks ridiculous and people will laugh at you.” Her words really hurt me and now I’m not sure about my decision.
This tattoo was something I always wanted, and I thought that by the time I turned 75, I wouldn’t care what others thought. I thought I could finally do something just for me without stressing about other people’s opinions. But when my daughter saw it, I started to doubt if I had done the right thing.
I’m stuck between feeling bad about my tattoo and thinking about getting rid of it, or just accepting it as a part of me. I’m not sure if I should listen to what my daughter thinks and let it affect my mood, or if I should stick to my choice and show off my cool new tattoo.
Has anyone else faced tough criticism from family or friends? How did you manage it? Should you focus on your own happiness, even if it disappoints the people you care about?
