I Hid My Tattoo Like I Hid Everything Else

I got my first tattoo in a place no one would see, because I was tired of being seen. I spent weeks learning how to hide it—long sleeves in summer, makeup that rubbed off on my sheets, a constant low-level panic every time my mom hugged me too tight. It wasn’t about rebellion. It was about wanting something that was mine, even if it meant lying. I told myself it was just a phase, but the truth is, I liked the secret. I liked the way it felt to have a piece of myself that didn’t need to be explained or approved. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever stop hiding. Not just the ink, but all the parts of me that don’t fit. #SkinStory #HiddenSelf #BeautyBurnout #Beauty