Think happy thoughts

[exsequar]

Okay girlies, I need some feedback!

I've been considering getting a tattoo for a long long time. I've just never known what I wanted. However, I think I finally came up with an idea I love! I want to get "Think happy thoughts" on the inside of my right wrist, in some kind of pretty script, though the font isn't decided yet. This phrase has twofold meaning for me. 1) I played Wendy in my high school's production of Peter Pan, and one of the key ideas of the story is that you have to think happy thoughts in order to fly. And I really got to fly! With a harness and everything! It's one of my favorite memories of my adolescence (the whole show, not just the flying *g*). and 2) It's a line in My Chemical Romance's song "Headfirst for Halos," which is absolutely one of my top three favorite MCR songs, and also they played it as a special treat at the show I went to in London, which was one of the best nights of my life.

So! Thoughts? Opinions? Advice? I'm really excited about this, but I want to know if it's glaringly stupid or cheesy for any reason, hee. Thanks darlings! ♥

Comments

[theamyrlin.livejournal.com]

You might want to consider putting the tattoo somewhere else. I had a friend who had a tattoo on her wrist and she regretted the decision on a daily basis.

Fonts: Maybe you could have it done in SUPERNATURAL font. Just combine all of your loves! ;-)

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Oh dear. Why did she regret it so much? I was thinking the wrist because there it's easily visible, but at the same time you can cover it just as easily with a watch or a bracelet. I don't really want it hidden away. Although maybe I'd change my mind on that. Hm.

Haha, that would be pretty hilarious. :)

[floridapeaches.livejournal.com]

My best friend got "you get what everyone else gets, you get a lifetime" around his wrist, and I may get the same phrase at some point. And we also both want to get "you could 'cause you can so you do" at some point. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting lyrics, whether they have some other significance to you or not, but you have a double meaning for yours, which is awesome. I like it. :)

I think that probably just getting lyrics because they're from your favorite band is something that someone would regret later, because, well, your favorite band will probably eventually change. But getting lyrics from a band you love, because they mean something to you, outside the context of the song, too? So cool.

Good luck! And I'd love to see pics once you get it done. :D

[mybabyangel.livejournal.com]

I think a tattoo has to mean something to YOU - it's your body and you're the one who has to live with it. If other people think it's stupid or cheesy (and I don't, just by the way!) then screw them. If it makes you happy, go for it.

But just in general, I would get it somewhere that's easy to show or hide, depending on the scenario. Some employers aren't too fond of tattoos, so you probably wouldn't want it on display all the time.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Oh hey, that is absolutely one of the MCR lines I was considerign! I've been listening to all their stuff for weeks with a tattoo in mind, but everything's so violent and negative without the context of the band's intentions, you know? I wouldn't exactly want "lately i've been sprawled on these cathedral steps while spitting out the blood and screaming SOMEONE SAVE US" (one of my favorite Gee lyrics) tattooed on my body, yaknow? Haha. But the lifetime line is definitely a beautiful one, and I think it's a great idea :) And aww, Panic! <3

Yeah, that's why I was hesitant on the just-lyrics thing. But when it suddenly clicked in my head that Gerard was referencing Peter Pan with that line, and that Peter Pan has a lot of personal meaning to me, well. It just makes a lot of sense :)

Thank you! I will absolutely be posting pictures, don't you worry *g*

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Well. That's true :D I'd just appreciate input and advice of any kind, because this whole tattoo idea is so new to me! I don't want to dismiss the experience of others as a resource :)

That's why I like the wrist, becaue it can be easily covered with a watch if I move it to my right hand, or a thick enough bracelet, or long sleeves. Is that being overly optimistic?

[mybabyangel.livejournal.com]

Oh, of course! I didn't mean you shouldn't get advice! But one of my best friends has this tat across her lower back that she designed herself. And a lot of people don't get it, but she loves it and it means something to her, so that's what matters, if you know what I mean? And if "think happy thoughts" has some significance to you, and you think it will continue to have significance for you many, many years into the future, then other people can WTF over it as much as they like.

Obviously I'd say it kind of depends on the size. And whether you would be annoyed by having to wear bracelets/long sleeves whenever you want to hide it. That would shit me, personally, but I certainly don't think it's too overly optimistic - it'd be doable, I reckon. That said, I don't think I've ever really had to hide anything on my wrists! Perhaps you should try it out for yourself - see how well your bracelets/watch cover the area.

[pushingyouaway.livejournal.com]

personally, i think your idea is very cool. first and foremost, it's a positive saying (something that helps you along) and second, it has MEANING to you. if it's your favorite movie, then that's another decent reason as well. the fact that that just happens to be a lyric in a band whom you adore isn't bad either, but yes, bear in mind that favorite bands change

if you don't get it on your wrist, perhaps the back of your neck? in case you ever needed to camouflage it for any reason

if you're looking for advice, i have one tattoo but have plans for a few more. they're addictive! my first tattoo deals with my ukrainian heritage and the rest will deal with my cherokee heritage (i'm a lot more than just these two things, but these are the two that played the biggest role in my life). i really really want my parents names across my wrists, but my mother is definitely not keen on the idea. i know I KNOW it's my body so why should i care what she thinks and even SHE has a tattoo but whatever. i think i'maw just wait until i fully move out of the house to get their names done =P

....aaaaaand i'm done wasting space o_O *cookies*

[floridapeaches.livejournal.com]

This might be a strange thing to suggest, I don't know, but this has helped me make up my mind on whether I wanted a tattoo or not.

I hadn't really considered a tattoo until the "you get a lifetime" line got stuck in my head, and I still couldn't really imagine myself with ink on my skin. (I'm comfortable admitting to myself and anyone else that I am incredibly fickle.) My best friend, the one with the tattoo around his wrist, had written on his arms a few times with sharpie, and one day I was just really frustrated, and I wrote "I'm the kind of human wreckage that you love" on myself. And it was like, once I saw the ink on my skin, I just. I wanted a tattoo *so much*. I love the way my skin looks with ink on it. I've since written "you get" and "you could 'cause you can" and a few other things on me, and I definitely want to get something done eventually.

That was a really long and roundabout way of saying, you might consider getting a sharpie and writing your potential tattoo on your wrist. That way, you could play with placement, see how easy or hard it is to cover, etc. Just a thought. Also, it's really fun. :)

And I do think the wrist it a good place. According to my friend, the wrist kind of hurts like a bitch, but it is an easy place to cover.

Wow, that god wordy. Sorry. XD But, yeah, I'm really excited about tattoos lately. :D

[teaspoon.livejournal.com]

i like it -- i'm a big fan of peter pan, and i have no qualms about lyrics as tattoos as long as it means something personal to whomever is getting it (your example totally qualifies). as for placement, i don't know -- if you think it's something you'll be able to read over and over and over on your wrist every day and be fine with it, and you're willing to cover it up for jobs/interviews/etc., then go for it! if you think you might want it somewhere a little less visible, then start considering other options. whatever you decide, it really comes down to what you want.

[snuffkin.livejournal.com]

absolutley freaking good idea! really.
1.) You have a really good memory linked to that line
2.) another really good memory involving MCR
3.) you seem pretty sure about that anyway. I think you've already decided and just need some positive feedback ;)


haach I want a tattoo too, but I just ... a tattoo is too permanent and seeing how my mind changes every too weeks I don't think it's a good idea for me! But I think you should really do it. You seem to have thought about it a lot!

*hums* Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts

[coverlies.livejournal.com]

I think it's a pretty good idea as long as it means something to you. I like it.

[nmhrbrtsn.livejournal.com]

that's so weird, that is one of the tattoos i was considering for when i turn 18. same placement and lyrics.
you should get it. i think it's lovely.

[sorchasilver.livejournal.com]

I think you have made a good choice with the phrase as it has multiple layers of meaning for you, but I'd agree with some other commenters that the wrist may not be the best placement. Yes, you could cover it up if necessary, but it takes effort and the need to wear something over it for work etc. might be irritating in the long run (depends on the field you want to work in, of course, but most employers don't like visible tats). Somewhere less obvious, where you could choose to display it when you want to but not need to go to such lengths to cover it up when required, might be a better bet. Think long-term for a minute - your current lifestyle wouldn't make such a tattoo a problem, but in ten years?

Of course, if you absolutely definitely want it there, you should go for it.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Calmer and older heads have prevailed on this matter, and I'm definitely rethinking the wrist thing. Right now I'm leaning towards curving over the outside part of my shoulder, above my bicep, you know? Easily covered with any kind of sleeve, but also visible if I want it to be. I was also considering ankle but I'm not sure how a line of text would work there - circling around the whole ankle? Three words stacked on top of eachother down the outside? I dunno. But I do like the shoulder idea.

Thanks for your input :)

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Yeah, cooler and older heads have prevailed on this one, I don't think I'll go for the wrist. Right now I'm considering either curving over the outside upper part of my shoulder, or on the ankle somehow. What do you think? I'm not sure how a line of text would work on an ankle though.

[pau494.livejournal.com]

I really love the idea of you getting lyrics, but I think that what I love even more is the memory you have attached to them. Because they relate to you, they're not "just" lyrics, you know? I love the idea of tattoos having multiple layers of meaning. When I catch you on AIM next, I'll tell you about what I want to get!

I've considered the wrist myself, but it would be too problematic, I think, unless you lead the sort of lifestyle that allows it (hello, RYAN ROSS) because it's way too exposed and like someone said above, employers can get kind of annoying about it. Have you thought of other places?

[bluejbird.livejournal.com]

Hey, so, you already know what I think of the tattoo idea, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in about what people have been saying about hiding it at work etc- in general, scientist don't care. Because we're not generally in the public eye, appearance- be it tattoos or piercings or general dress sense- is not a huge issue at all. When I think about the scientists and researchers I know, some of them look and dress like business people, and some of them look like they should be in a band or something. Even at big conferences, when people are giving important talks, it's not what the person looks like that matters, it's the content of their work that people pay attention too. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there seems to be a lot less stereotypes based on appearance in Science than in other career paths. Obvious exceptions to that are, for example, people who want to be drug reps etc.

Anyways. So. I still think a wrist is a good place to get a tattoo. Personally, I'd like to be able to see a positive message like that enough. And I know of someone who keeps a few flesh coloured bandaids in their purse that they occasionally stick over their wrist tattoo on the rare occasions they feel the need to hide it and that seems to work pretty well.

And...I'll stop rambling now!

[sofiaviolet]

I've been planning to get the same words for a while now, but I've been too broke for the three or so months I've been considering it. I also can't make up my mind about placement - I'm thinking high on my back, between or slightly below my shoulder blades. Near where wings would be if people had them.

So go for it!

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Oh that's so cool! May I ask why you chose these words?

I'm pretty sure I'm going with the wrist. I've had the words written there all day and I keep looking at them and smiling. It looks so pretty there! I also think i'm going to try to incorporate fairy wings into the design some how, maybe like perched on the last letter or something. :)

[sofiaviolet]

Honestly, it's to serve as a reminder to myself - think happy thoughts because even your pills can't help you if you don't try. I don't really need to see it every day, because I'm very aware of the surface of my skin; I'll know it's there.

I like the wings idea! It's cute.

[teaspoon.livejournal.com]

that's tough! you can read your own ankle, but you can't read your shoulder without a mirror (in which case it's flipped). so that's something to think about. i'm actually considering getting a short line of text on the inside of my bicep someday, so i can read it and cover it with, say, 3/4-sleeve instead of long-sleeve shirts. i think with the ankle placement, you'd have to talk to the artist about making it work with the lines/bones of the body.

[exsequar.livejournal.com]

Yeah that was my main problem with the shoulder thing. I think I may have switched AGAIN because a friend who is a scientist (see the last comment on this entry, I think) told me that scientists pretty much don't give a damn what you look like, and since I'm 95% sure I'm going to be a scientist for the rest of my life... well. And if I ever NEED to cover it up, that's not a problem. I've had the words written on my wrist all day and I think they're beautiful there. I'm going to write them there every day for weeks and see if I ever get tired of it, because I'm not getting the tat right away in any case.

[theamyrlin.livejournal.com]

She regretted it because of how easily visible it was, and hard to cover up. Hers was a thicker tattoo, and it was very hard to hide with even a large watch. If yours is smaller, then it probably won't be as big of a deal. Good luck!

[crystal-lily.livejournal.com]

I was actually supposed to get a tattoo with my sister and my dad about two months ago, but I totally chickened out at the last minute. Not really chickened out as much as couldn't find anything that I really loved, and figured getting a tattoo just for the sake of getting a tattoo is quite stupid and I'll probably regret doing that. And that's why I really love your idea, cause it has a lot of thought behind it and it has a lot of meaning to you. :D So ummm, no, obviously not glaringly stupid or cheesy, nope.

Also, Merry Christmas sweetie! :D