https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:19:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902505 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:29:48 +0000 cindysmith 1902505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jessiekams, thank you for being so open &amp; honest, and congratulations on your recovery XOXOXOXO </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902493 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:02:16 +0000 Jessikams 1902493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jussie you make a great point about visual vs verbal expression! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902492 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:01:07 +0000 Jessikams 1902492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this and Love your honesty in general. I am also in recovery and I also think of my tattoo as a sort of “scar” or burn mark- a mark of life’s passage,<br /> but one that I actually chose for a change. Mine is a ritual Cambodian tattoo, combining elements of shamanism, Hinduism and Buddhism (SE Asian Buddhism is fascinating and syncretic). I should add that I was living in Phnom Penh when I got it, it wasn’t just random! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902385 Thu, 29 Mar 2018 02:37:41 +0000 Windchime 1902385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the gift of your stories! I often think that every person has a compelling story, once we get to know it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902336 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 21:46:42 +0000 Lisa 1902336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I adore tattoos, and especially when they have stories behind them.&nbsp; Yours are lovely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902239 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 13:35:09 +0000 RobinF 1902239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing! Very interesting equating your tattoos with scars, they really are visual pictures of life's events. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902215 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:46:20 +0000 Bijou 1902215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now this is why I like tattoos even if I don't have them myself, they help tell a story. I also like your fairy tattoo very much and am so glad that you feel safe sharing your journey with us.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902205 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:22:35 +0000 jussie 1902205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing. It’s interesting how much humans need to express themselves and make sense of their experiences through art, including body art. This is what painting is for me- the meanings behind what I paint are much deeper and (sometimes darker/more complex) than what the painting looks on the surface- but it often has a profound connection to my life experience that is beyond what I can explain verbally, or would even want to explain verbally. Somehow my psyche needs to expel this stuff out into the world, and painting is how I do it.<br /> Best to you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902154 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 04:31:11 +0000 Lyn D. 1902154@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank-you- your stories are our stories, and your pictures are bravely portraying what many of us choose to hide! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902151 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 04:12:30 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1902151@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cindy, thanks for sharing this glimpse into your tattoos and their very personal meaning. Your reflections on them are inspiring. Like Carla, I was struck by the fantasy and fairy-tale motifs that run through them. They are uniquely you, expressing your true tales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902130 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 02:17:05 +0000 Jaime 1902130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your tattoos seem very authentically you and tell the story of your life in a visceral way. Thank you for sharing - I was very touched by your story and brought me back to different places in my life that I don't revisit that often - which I guess is the beauty of tattoos. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902113 Wed, 28 Mar 2018 00:22:07 +0000 rachylou 1902113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tattoos tell an interesting story always. I like the mushroom fairy! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902107 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 23:54:48 +0000 Mainelady 1902107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your bravery and courage are inspiring. Thank you for sharing your life’s journeys and the tattoos that create a time stamp for periods of your life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902095 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 22:35:17 +0000 Style Fan 1902095@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for sharing your tattoos and the stories behind them Cindy.&nbsp; YLF is a safe place and I love what has been created here.&nbsp; You are a special woman and a very brave one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902082 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 21:33:13 +0000 Sal 1902082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for sharing Cindy - they do mark your journey and the good and tough times you have experienced.</p> <p>I also love what some others with more of a way with words have said!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1902014 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 18:14:51 +0000 Vicki 1902014@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are a beautiful writer and sharing your tattoo story reflects the challenges and transformations we all make in our lives. Thank you for opening up in this safe space. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901993 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 17:07:38 +0000 Beth Ann 1901993@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing the story behind your ink --- we all have stories to share about what we've learned along the way.&nbsp; Perhaps your tattoos help prompt your memory and make it easier for you to process and own each stage -- even the tough ones.&nbsp; Many people hide from and repress these stories -- which can be more disastrous than even Ben Affleck's back tattoo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901990 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:59:44 +0000 Amy Isabella 1901990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are unbelievably brave to share the very personal story behind your tattoos. Thank you Cindysmith. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901985 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:41:25 +0000 NancyW 1901985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isn’t is a wonder that one life can hold so many chapters? Thank you for your stories of the past and your intentions for the future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901977 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:16:39 +0000 tulle 1901977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very brave.&nbsp; Like Runcarla, I'm struck by the sweetness in the images you've chosen.&nbsp; May you live happily ever after. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901969 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:03:56 +0000 Ginger 1901969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(((HUGS))) Thank you so much for sharing! Echoing what Lisa said. &lt;3 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901957 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:34:55 +0000 Anonymous 1901957@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing, CindySmith. &nbsp;I always benefit and grow from your posts. &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901952 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:19:00 +0000 deb 1901952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing your stories, Cindy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901950 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:16:27 +0000 cindysmith 1901950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, ladies, you're seriously making me fight back tears. XOXOXOXO</p> <p>And thank you, Runcarla, for giving me a new perspective on my older tattoos. I like it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901949 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 15:12:00 +0000 Carla 1901949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Cindysmith, thank you for sharing your tattoo stories. There is an ethereal fantasy/ fairy world/story quality to your markings that make me think of old world fairy tales of the brothers Grimm variety in which not everything is sweetness and light, but good will out! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901943 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:37:54 +0000 Angie 1901943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cindy</b>, thanks for sharing. I loved hearing your tattoo stories, and am nodding along with what&nbsp;<b>Lyn67</b>, <b>Lisa p</b> and<b> Cardiff girl </b>wrote. Rock on and much love to you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901937 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 14:07:22 +0000 Cardiff girl 1901937@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are very brave to share such personal details.Regret is a normal part of human existence and probably a part of avoiding relapse but don’t let it overwhelm you.I wish you all the very best for your future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901930 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:51:11 +0000 Anonymous 1901930@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marks of a life lived. &nbsp;Don't cry for &nbsp;what could have been - there would be no end to that for any of us. I'm glad to hear you feel safe here &nbsp;- that's a testament to the unique place Angie has provided for us.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901928 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:47:31 +0000 lyn67 1901928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for sharing, Cindy, I am touched of all your stories behind your tatts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-my-tattoos#post-1901923 Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:35:48 +0000 cindysmith 1901923@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>While I wouldn't mind having some cover-up or touch-up some to some of my tattoos, I don't hate any of them. They each have a story behind them, and deep meaning for me (which means you're about to journey into the corners of my psyche in a way that I generally reserve for my BFF or a 12-step setting, because I've grown to trust you all at YLF).</p> <p>My first ever tattoo has long since been covered up, thank heaven. It was some sort of cross with rose and it was just revenge on my first husband for getting a tattoo without consulting me. A few years later, married to my second husband, the opportunity to have a really good artist cover it presented itself, and I chose Fantasia Mickey Mouse because life seemed rather fairy tale magical at the time. It used to be very vibrant and clear; however, weight gain and age have taken their toll. It's in a completely unseen area (carefully cropped photo LOL), so I haven't bothered to have it touched up. </p> <p>My next tattoo was a band of tribal roses around my ankle. It was the 90s, when tribal was huge, and it was done in the very early days after my second divorce. It was kind of supposed to symbolize a fresh start, or new life, or something. It needs color added after all these years, but they said I turned green and quit breathing when the artist got to the Achilles tendon so I haven't been brave enough to try again LOL.</p> <p>Next came a couple of drunken disasters that I eventually covered with this fairy sitting atop a large toadstool. It took me a few days of serious thought and soul searching to decide what to put there, because I knew that I was going beyond the point of no return with this one--there wasn't going to be much that could be done to cover up this cover-up of a cover-up if I ever changed my mind. This was in the late stages of active addiction; my subconscious knew it was time to stop but my conscious didn't (or something). I deliberately asked that the fairy look a bit faded and worse for the wear to symbolize all I had been through and survived. The mushroom is the cover up, and it needs major professional help; however, it can be easily covered and I have other priorities (and other tattoos I want to add that speak to who &amp; where I am now). This is the one that absolutely, positively HAD to be covered by clothing for my sister's wedding.</p> <p>The last tattoo I got was a symbol that represents the particular 12 step fellowship where I got clean and learned how to live. It is discreetly tattooed on the inside of my right wrist, right where a medical professional would take my pulse. I got it around 6 months clean to remind myself where home was in case I ever thought about doing some more "research" (aka relapse). This is the tattoo I want to build upon; adding more bits of my recovery until it's more of a sleeve than a collection of "badge" tattoos.</p> <p>In a small way, my tattoos are like scars, in that they are the story of my life. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent; there they are. If you're still here reading and looking, thank you for being a safe place to show them and talk about them. Now, I'm going to go cry for what could have been, and for the hope I have about what could be in the future. </p>