I'm just the same but brand new.

Guys. It's high time I start getting things in order and up to speed! As I've said in a previous post, I'm  still transitioning and adjusting to my new life. I'm so thankful for all the sweet comments and emails I've received! But it also makes me question if I'm complaining too much or being overly dramatic about this period in my life. It's always been a real struggle (and real problem) of mine to not let my expectations of myself get too high. This can happen quick y'all.

I've once described myself as a highly-functioning depressed person.

And I said that to say, I can perform and do well in extreme situations (environmental and mental) but I've seen the results of doing that and it's not somewhere I'd like to visit again..ever. And gosh...we're all busy. We're all kind of super woman and barely (but still) juggling a million things (remember this post about the busy trap??).

I always want this blog to be a place of encouragement for others. This blog has helped me in so many ways but I still blog for other people (Gasp! Did I just break--out loud--the cardinal rule of blogging!?!?! More on that in another post.). So I'm leaving you guys with what I'm doing about my situation.

//I'm going to think of others. When you get into your own head it can be a bad thing. Turn the focus outwards.
//I'm going to do little things for myself (like that yummy breakfast from yesterday that's pictured above!).
//I'm going to become more physically active and be really good to my body. I'm not going to get mad at it anymore when my skinny jeans fit a little tighter than they used to. I'm going to do this for more energy and balance.
//I'm going to keep trying to give myself the grace that God and so many other people have given me.
//And speaking of God, I'm going to continually thank Him for all that I'm blessed with (especially when I feel like I'm not) and I'm going to make a better effort to find a church in this new city.

**Did you know He equips you with everything you need in any situation? Did you know when you don't know what to do or which direction to turn He can make the decisions for you? You just have to get reeeeeeeeeally good at sitting still and letting someone else take control (not such a natural inclination on my part!).

What are you going to do for yourself today (this week/year/life)?

**I try to stay respectful and open (in real life and this blog) to other people's beliefs. I want people with different backgrounds and lifestyles to feel welcome and comfortable here! I've gone through a huge journey with trying to figure out what I believe (and even when I didn't necessarily believe in God I still maintained that it was very important to have something to believe in ). Living a life according to what God wants is my personal decision but when relating and interacting with other people I want them to always feel that love and a mutual respect for others is a great and vast common ground. If you have a comment or thought that stays respectful I'd love to hear it, especially if it's different from mine.

Tattoos: thoughts and life lessons

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After finding this post by Dani Hampton of Sometimes Sweet I was reminded how much of a good thing tattoos have been for me! They are a great people-filter and have boosted my self-esteem and confidence levels. I've shared what each of my tattoos are and why I have them (here, here + here) but I haven't really talked about day-to-day living with tattoos.

There has never been a better people-filter. Sometimes I'm really surprised by the kind of people that are "into" tattoos. And then sometimes I'm completely disgusted with people. I'm always amazed at people's lack of respect for someone else's personal space if said person has a visible tattoo. I can't help but shake my head and silently giggle each and every time I get a "Can I see your tattoo?" while the person is simultaneously grabbing your arm and bending it into a magical contortionist pose. No response is needed on your part in these situations. Obviously you really wanted someone to turn your arm into a pretzel (duh).

But people are mostly just curious. And people are definitely bold about their opinions on tattoos. And they love telling you that "you're not the kind of person who should have tattoos". Having tattoos has helped me respect other people and love them for their differences more. It has also really taught me how to handle people and their differences. It's taught me how to be more forgiving.

My tattoos have taught me how to love myself. I was a much less confident person before I started getting them. A simple little black-outlined mermaid helped me love a part of my body that I found most disgusting. Getting a beautiful lady surrounded by pretty flowers, butterflies and a tea pot helped me love my skin color when her skin became the same as mine. A wise-looking wolf reminds me daily that my family is the strongest positive force in my life and to always be good to them. A portrait of a lady bordered with wings and magnolias reminds me that although my Meme doesn't "like" tattoos, she still loves me and wants me to be whoever I feel that I am (and she would probably DIE if she knew I got it for her). The little birdies on my back remind me daily to just breeeeathe (okay so maybe I sort of kept holding my breath while getting those tattooed and almost passed out a few times).

It's funny how much my skin has toughened up by getting delicate and pretty things put on it (which is really my only requirement when deciding what to get a tattoo of next). I've never noticed how many looks I get from strangers in public places and I still don't notice until I'm with my sister and she points it out to me. People are mostly just curious and looking isn't what is offensive to me.

It's the guy that told me I "made" him ask me to hike up my shorts by having a tattoo located on my outer thigh. I guess I "made" him suggest I start only wearing bikini bottoms to my coffee shop job from then on. Or that other guy who told me that people only get tattoos for attention (please note the paragraph from above--I never notice when people are looking at them).

But it does make my day when I get to show people the anti-stereotype of a tattooed person (I don't mean that in a snarky, sarcastic way--I genuinely feel glad at the opportunity). Sometimes I really surprise people by being a warm and friendly person!

So tattoos. A total blessing in my life. I've always known I'd have tattoos and one day I'll probably be almost completely covered in them. I don't think they're for everyone. My mentality on tattoos is completely different from a lot of other people's. I'm not afraid of not liking one of them one day or of aging or being pregnant with tattoos. I think tattooed wrinkly skin is probably prettier than plain ole wrinkly skin : ). I like the idea of being a tattooed bride (insert "mom" or "grandma" or "CEO" in there if ya wanna). Ohh! An old church-going lady. AWESOME.

What are your thoughts on tattoos? Anyone have an opposing opinion on what I've written here? I'd love to hear it! I'm also in the market to get another one (within the next month!). What are your favorite tattoos? I need ideas people!!