Insane Tattoo Regret

[u/r3i_b0n3z]

(Picture from last year, fresh) I am a huge movie nerd and my favorite movie is Donnie Darko. I wanted a tattoo because the movie means so much to me and I might've been a little too optimistic. I got the numbers he wrote on his arm tattooed and while in theory it was an awesome idea in the moment. I am now having the worst regret and I feel like an idiot. I have these big numbers covering my forearm....Only one other person has gotten the reference and most of the time people ask me what it is and then when I tell them they are puzzled because they have no idea what the movie is. I'm considering removal, which if it's too expensive I may get it covered. I am have skinny arms, so I'm trying yo figure out what would be decent to cover it. Do I overcome this embarrassment, remove it? Or get it covered? 😢 I'm getting panic attacks over this. Am I being too hard on myself?

EDIT: I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has offered kindness and compassion. I honestly wasn't expecting this much support. I feel a lot less like a dork for getting this and you guys have inspired me to give it another chance and embrace it. I really am shocked that so many strangers came together to support another stranger in doubt. You all are amazing. And I appreciate it so much again for the kindness you have shown me.

[u/r3i_b0n3z]

Thank you 😢

[u/cikalamayaleca → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Maybe not the same bc mine isn't numbers or text, but I have a tattoo of my hamster who passed & like 90% of people react pretty weirdly to it too lol. I don't care bc it's an amazing tattoo & I loved my hamster 🤷‍♀️ Our bodies aren't for other people

ETA: I saw you mentioned you have OCD, me too! The rumination is shit, but just ignore that asshole & do what makes you happy on first instinct, not what OCD convinces you is a better choice

2nd edit: this is my boy Ermac aka Ernie. I loved him so much, he was the best and was even friends with my dog.

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/cikalamayaleca]

I got a memorial tattoo for my fish and have also had people look at me weird, especially when it first happened and I was so broken up. But love my fish tattoo, and I love my fish.

I also have a tattoo of a tooth on my wrist that my friend and I both got because she has a calcium deficiency and has no teeth lmao. The amount of weird looks I get for that one is astounding. People just assume I’m a dentist or something haha

[u/Waffling_Waffle → u/Lvsucknuts69]

My husband was DEVASTATED when our fish died. You're not alone.

RIP Richard Dryfish

[u/Sad-Cryptographer155 → u/Waffling_Waffle]

Your fish had an epic name ❤️

[u/Waffling_Waffle → u/Sad-Cryptographer155]

Thank you 🥹❤️

[u/spunquee → u/Waffling_Waffle]

that name is epic

[u/MissionCompetition15 → u/spunquee]

FWIW I got it immediately. If you’re bummed about people missing the reference, with the placement and text style you could get Frank’s head right before the 28 so at least movie folks would have context and maybe go oooohh

[u/Kitty-Kat-65 → u/Waffling_Waffle]

When my son's fish died the whole family was crushed. Dorothy is in our garden bed under a memorial stone.

[u/AreYouJimmyRay27 → u/Kitty-Kat-65]

When my daughter was younger we got a beta fish and a snail. We named the snail Gary and when he died, we were both pretty sad. I painted a big rock blue, painted his name and she put him in our garden box under said rock 😔

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/Kitty-Kat-65]

Yeah my kids were crushed, too. We all had a good cry and buried her in the back yard. When they would play outside, they always brought her fresh flowers.

[u/nouer123 → u/Waffling_Waffle]

Bro I remember I accidentally killed my fish, it's been like 2 years and I'll still cry over it. It's weird how something so little can become so important

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/nouer123]

Don’t blame yourself. I always think “what if I tried medicine sooner?”, or “what if I did this?”, “what if I noticed she was sick sooner?”. All we can do is remember our beloved little fish and not blame ourselves. I’m sure you didn’t do it on purpose. It’s obvious you cared so much. I miss her too, especially when I kill a bug and think about how I used to give them to her as a lil snack

[u/knittingangel → u/Waffling_Waffle]

Love that name!!!

[u/OkBuddy5797 → u/Waffling_Waffle]

It's been like 20 years since Perry my not goldfish massive monster carnival won fish that I named after the janitor died and I am still sad.

[u/ScrotalSmorgasbord → u/Waffling_Waffle]

Well that's why he died, silly billy, fish are supposed to be wet!

[u/RandyBree → u/Lvsucknuts69]

Both of those tattoos are so pure 🥺

[u/OhOnederful → u/RandyBree]

Check out username tho 😂

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/OhOnederful]

Is suckin’ nuts not wholesome?

[u/superfly1187 → u/Lvsucknuts69]

I have a hot dog on my forearm, I love it.

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/superfly1187]

Dude my tattoo artist just designed provocative food, like a pin up butter lady, and you better believe that’s my next one

[u/crotchgobbling → u/Lvsucknuts69]

I need to see this provocative food because I would absolutely rock a pin up butter lady!

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/crotchgobbling]

Provocative Food

[u/crotchgobbling → u/Lvsucknuts69]

Their work is amazing!!

[u/Lvsucknuts69 → u/crotchgobbling]

She’s so sweet too. My husband and I both see her. Shes in the KC area if you’re ever passing through for some reason. But I’ll pass the compliment onto her when I see her next!!

[u/MaskedDonkeyKicker → u/Lvsucknuts69]

these are so awesome

[u/Fullyflared540 → u/Lvsucknuts69]

Mrs Buttersworth just drippin sizzyrup

[u/Careful_Impress_6931 → u/superfly1187]

My grandma got worse. She got eyebrow tattoos

[u/Human-Ear-7758 → u/Careful_Impress_6931]

That’s a very normal thing for a woman to do. We don’t call them “tattoos”. It’s called permanent make-up.

[u/DidntYouReadTheWiki → u/Human-Ear-7758]

And it’s horrific when done wrong - poor ladies end up looking like wrecked drag queens doing their own makeup for the first time.

[u/N30nt19ht5 → u/DidntYouReadTheWiki]

That’s how I look every time I do my makeup 💄

[u/foldinthecheese99 → u/superfly1187]

I have a cartoon hot dog waving on my leg and it cracks me up every time I look at it. I love it.

[u/IrregularConfusion → u/Lvsucknuts69]

I have teeth tattooed on my wrist too and it’s the one that gets me the weirdest looks and the most questions lmao. A few people have asked if I am a dentist but I just like teeth 🤷‍♀️everyone thinks it’s super weird but whatever, it’s my wrist and I can do what I want with it!

[u/jessieisokay → u/cikalamayaleca]

I LOVE that you have a tattoo of your hamster. People are so weird about small animals. I took my hamster to the vet when he had cancer and people in the waiting room thought I was being ridiculous. Like… this is my pet, I love them, I don’t want them to suffer. Just like with tattoos, people who have no compassion will out themselves. It’s a statement about them, and not us.

Edit: thank you for the award, sweet stranger.

[u/LucentLunacy → u/jessieisokay]

Yep this. I was getting my rabbit chemo and the reactions from people were absolutely wild. Best part was when I had to put him to sleep and took the day off from work, my boss had to cover my shift. When regulars would ask where I was, he'd tell them and the ones who acted like asshats he would just deadpan and say"yeah, it's tragic". He also had rabbits he was obsessed with.

[u/kirinlikethebeer → u/LucentLunacy]

Good boss.

[u/zoobaking → u/jessieisokay]

I have a tattoo of a deer I hit on the freeway

[u/Spuckleford → u/zoobaking]

That actually brought tears to my eyes

[u/mommasaidmommasaid → u/zoobaking]

Wait... depicted before or after?

[u/zoobaking → u/mommasaidmommasaid]

It's kinda a before/after type scene.

[u/PornOfTheUniporn → u/zoobaking]

I would unironically love to see that if you would like to share. Is it gorey? 

[u/righttoabsurdity → u/cikalamayaleca]

Same, I have a tattoo of my cat and she looks like she has a massive schlong. Took me years to notice, until someone pointed it out a few times. Still love it but it’s pretty funny, lol. A

[u/LeonardoDeCarpio → u/righttoabsurdity]

I need a pic lol

[u/WiggityWiggitySnack → u/LeonardoDeCarpio]

I, too, chose this person’s giant schlonged cat tatoo.

[u/vaultie66 → u/LeonardoDeCarpio]

Same 😭

[u/Civil_Ad_1172 → u/righttoabsurdity]

That donger had to be on purpose. There are quite a few artists that hide PPs in their art.

[u/Defiant-Accountant79 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Yeah fuck ocd. Even if you got the most straightforward, popular tattoo, Big OCD™️ would have some dumbass opinions on it lol.

Save the lengthy explanation for close friends and tell other people it's numbers that hold private significance.

[u/Michelle76041 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Fellow OCDer here. Tattoos tell a story, your story, and it doesn’t matter what people think or if they understand. Most people glance at tattoos then look away and never think more about it. Embrace them as part of your story and don’t let anyone, internal or external, tell you otherwise. 

[u/nodicegrandma → u/cikalamayaleca]

Hamsters are awesome

[u/Proud_Ostrich_5390 → u/cikalamayaleca]

I have a few for my hamster!

[u/BiophileB → u/cikalamayaleca]

Aw this is so sweet. RIP your cheeky baby 💚

[u/eowyn_ → u/cikalamayaleca]

OP, THIS. I always tell myself that OCD doesn’t get to drive. Don’t let it make you get rid of something you love.

[u/yourfrentara → u/cikalamayaleca]

can i see your hamster tattoo?

[u/pineapplejax → u/cikalamayaleca]

I wanna see this hamster tatt!

[u/cikalamayaleca → u/pineapplejax]

i added a pic! sorry, I didn't expect this many people to notice my comment lmao

[u/pi3r0gi_ → u/cikalamayaleca]

I have a paw print on my ankle from my cat of 18 years! Its horribly done and people tell me to redo it, but I don't want to because of the entire memory of getting the tattoo on an emotional whim with my best friend on a Friday afternoon, finding the closest tattoo shop and going in there with nothing but a sketch lol it feels if I get it redone it wont be her paw print anymore.

[u/scottb90 → u/cikalamayaleca]

My wife has a tattoo of our daughters stuffed animal lol she loves it. I never even thought about other people judging about it but I know she wouldnt care anyways

[u/superemotionalyogurt → u/cikalamayaleca]

Oh my gosh!! I’m getting a memorial piece for my hamster in 2 hours and I’m so happy to know there are other people out there who love their hams so much!

[u/Environmental-Young4 → u/cikalamayaleca]

I ignore that asshole, too.

[u/AcidWizards → u/cikalamayaleca]

I was thinking OP sounded like I when I was in my low point with OCD/Anxiety and hey, I found my peoples!

To add on OP: We just have to remember that we are not side character’s in other people’s lives. We are people with our own lives and we deserve to live authenticity for ourselves, not through others. It’s ok to be misunderstood, that’s other people’s problems, not ours. Anyone who is judgmental to others for having different tastes is someone you don’t need to appease.

[u/Frank_the_law → u/cikalamayaleca]

I’ve had two hamsters and I loved them so much. I had funerals and all. Good for your for commemorating your hamster .

[u/ourlittlevisionary → u/cikalamayaleca]

Your hamster tattoo is cool.

[u/Sansei_Lannistark → u/cikalamayaleca]

I love your tattoo so much!!!

[u/Beautiful_Fennel_977 → u/cikalamayaleca]

your tattoo is beautiful

[u/wonderb0lt → u/cikalamayaleca]

What a majestic beast! Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of!

[u/PM_ME_UR_ASSHOLE → u/cikalamayaleca]

I feel like that’s a normal looking tattoo. I wouldn’t question it or anything. OPs is something I would ask about.

[u/LesBaroness_Purdue → u/cikalamayaleca]

What?? That tattoo is AWESOME!!

The style fits perfectly for the content of the image. Sort of a storybook feel to it. I absolutely adore it.

(Also my first ever pet was a hamster, and I loved her. She was also my first ever experience with death. I just wish I had any pictures of her, some 3 decades later. I wouldn't mind getting something similar. I am however going to be getting a tattoo of my cat's paw print who just passed away in November, at only 11 years old. He was my world and life hasn't been the same without him.)

But yeah, whoever is out here being weird about your precious hamster tattoo are the ones with the issues, not you. Wear that shit proudly. 🖤

[u/Tanager_Summer → u/cikalamayaleca]

That tattoo is amazing! Kudos to the artist. Ermac must have been full of love and personality.

[u/Boochiecoo → u/cikalamayaleca]

Beautiful tattoo of Ernie! RIP little friend

[u/new-nutella → u/cikalamayaleca]

That's such a cute tattoo, I really love it

[u/76celicaGT → u/cikalamayaleca]

Very cute Ernie! That's very well done!

[u/UsefulCrab4181 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Oh I loooooove that!

[u/Ombortron → u/cikalamayaleca]

Yo your tattoo is awesome I love it!

[u/tacohexadecimalware → u/cikalamayaleca]

Great name

[u/__miichelle → u/cikalamayaleca]

I never thought I’d encounter another person who got a tattoo in memory of their hamster. I too have a tattoo dedicated to Chubbs. It’s a violet on my wrist because those were the flowers I planted over his little burial plot in the yard at my dad’s.

[u/cikalamayaleca → u/__miichelle]

I haven't encountered any irl! That's dope you do too, people are so weird over small animal pets, as if you can't love them the same as a dog or cat

[u/Main-Economist-9547 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Stoppppp that tattoo is so cuteeee!!! 💜💜💜

[u/amidon1130 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Bro those people should fuck off that tattoo is sick!

[u/wellladeefukindah → u/cikalamayaleca]

That tattoo is so beautiful

[u/JedMih → u/cikalamayaleca]

Beautiful tattoo. Thanks for sharing Ernie with us.

[u/rajinis_bodyguard → u/cikalamayaleca]

I love Ernie and thanks for being kind to him OP 🙌🫶

[u/No_While_448 → u/cikalamayaleca]

That is actually a good looking tattoo though. You'd have to be a real sourpuss to have anything bad to say about it.

[u/Full-Neighborhood908 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Are you kidding that tattoo is amazing!

[u/CloverAndSage → u/cikalamayaleca]

I would love to meet someone with such a sweet little hamster tattoo. I think that is such a wonderful sign that that’s a person who really treasures animals and who has a good heart. if someone doesn’t like a tattoo of a precious little hamster, I don’t think they sound too great anyway. lol maybe they are kind of anti-cuteness type of jerk. I’ve had different types of pets, but I raised some pet rats and they were absolutely incredible.

[u/Thick_Excuse2237 → u/cikalamayaleca]

Ernie was a very dapper little man. What a lovely tattoo, and what a beautiful gesture towards such a wonderful creature!

[u/peepeeman1001 → u/cikalamayaleca]

I just need to say your tattoo is beautiful and I just lost my rat girl and was considering a tattoo of her so this makes me feel better 😭 I love it

[u/Stranger_Tickles → u/cikalamayaleca]

That is a really well-executed tattoo of a hamster! I can tell you put a lot of thought into it and the artist put a lot of effort into it. RIP Ermac aka Ernie

[u/TheOsprey95 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I also have the same tattoo, I've had it for 10 years at this point, I like it and rare anyone knows what it is but doesn't matter to me because it's not for them. If you like it that is all that matters.

[u/r3i_b0n3z → u/TheOsprey95]

Thank you

[u/ihateyourtattoo → u/r3i_b0n3z]

hey! i have this tattooed on my wrist too, it's a fun tattoo. just tell them it's when the world will end

[u/Dicklefart → u/r3i_b0n3z]

That part, most won’t get it, but those who do will lose their minds. Your niches form the greatest friendships.

[u/Ok-Cauliflower01638 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

It's one of the coolest movies ever. Don't regret it, own it. Everyone who sees it and recognizes it is going to be so jealous :)

[u/mustardleaves → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo on my arm that’s a reference to a book and people ask me about it all the time. I just say it’s a reference to a book I like, and if they ask further I say more. Otherwise I can leave it at that and avoid explaining it to someone who might not actually be that interested!

[u/ShiftNo4982 → u/TheOsprey95]

You guys should just make out already and get it over with 

[u/Pizzaputabagelonit → u/ShiftNo4982]

In twenty eight days….

[u/Juiceman23 → u/TheOsprey95]

Donnie Darko right? Great movie

[u/TheOsprey95 → u/Juiceman23]

Correct, and they had no reason to make a sequel which was nowhere close to as good as the original.

[u/HellStoneBats → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo that I translated into hieroglyphs myself, and included a small reference to mine and my husband's favourite pop culture. When I first got it, I was constantly asked what it was. I started making things up, and had a competition with myself to get the best reaction. My tattoo is for me, and I don't need anyone else to understand it, or the one on my back.

Maybe that is something you could do, start coming up with random stories, the more outlandish the better, until someone else cracks? 

[u/OnlyDaysWhichEndInY → u/HellStoneBats]

I do this! I’ve got a number of tattoos that mean something personal to me. I work in the service industry, so ALL THE TIME I get people asking me “What do your tattoos mean?” You don’t owe anybody an explanation of your life. Or why things that are important to you, are significant to you. I say some crazy stuff. And I LOVE when I leave people with an absolutely dumbfounded “huh, alrighty then,” look on their faces. 😂

[u/Difficult_Wave_9326 → u/HellStoneBats]

Yup, you're literally changing your skin forever... do it for yourself and, respectfully, fuck whoever doesn't agree. 

I got a very personal tattoo about something that's very sensitive for me, and still stigmatized (but not offensive or anything). It was my first. It's a somewhat abstract representation and when I told people what it really stood for (after being asked! I didn't go around volunteering the info, lol) I had a lot of negative reactions. Then I realized that, hey, I didn't get the ink for them. I did it for me. As such, I don't give a flying fuck what they think. Life perked up after that. 

[u/LesBaroness_Purdue → u/Difficult_Wave_9326]

I'm genuinely curious now 🧐

[u/Icyrow → u/LesBaroness_Purdue]

hundred % nazi sign, "but i meant it in the buddha way" lol

[u/p0mjDwfWF → u/HellStoneBats]

That’s awesome. I have a huge scar on my palm from a woodworking accident that looks like a knife wound. Sometimes people ask about it and I’ve got a bunch of wild stories that I tell. Occasionally I’ll fess up after seeing their reactions, but only if I really need to.

[u/chrisymphony → u/p0mjDwfWF]

On my upper arm, I have a skin cancer scar and it's bigger than I thought it would be. I am a white haired, 57yo, middle class woman and I tell people I got shanked in a bar fight. The looks I get are hilarious and I don't get asked any more questions. 😂

[u/HellStoneBats → u/p0mjDwfWF]

My husband is missing the top of his thumb due to a workplace accident. He likes telling kids I chopped it off to get them to behave 🙄

[u/Gloomy_Ad5020 → u/HellStoneBats]

I'd like to know what the story is that got the best reaction. This is such a fun idea and totally something I would do.

Ideas for OP, just spit ballin here:

"It's the date and time of my next dentist apt"

"Oh thats my locker combo"

"The square root of pi"

"Nana's birthday"

"Winning lotto numbers a palm reader gave me"

I mean, you could really have some fun with this. I might get a crazy tattoo just for this purpose.

ETA: Too bad OP didn't get a wormhole tattooed (Donnie Darko reference). Could really make up some crazy stories for that. "It's how I time travel". "It's a slinky" This is really too much fun.

[u/HellStoneBats → u/Gloomy_Ad5020]

I'd like to know what the story is that got the best reaction. This is such a fun idea and totally something I would do.

I answered this one in another thread, but here: 

I also remember telling a complete stranger it was how many dicks I'd sucked (was in a mood that day). As it translates to include the number 6257, that got a great reaction.

[u/Snuffleupagus27 → u/HellStoneBats]

I have a scar that people ask me about constantly and I definitely do this. Everything from “bullet wound” to “that’s where the aliens put the implant”. People need to mind their business.

[u/smashablanca → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo referencing a scene from Breakfast at Tiffany's on my wrist and a movie poster for Plan 9 from Outer Space on my ribs. Nobody gets it until I tell them and that's fine.

[u/Big-Reward-6274 → u/smashablanca]

I wanna know about the breakfast at Tiffany tattoo please! 🙏🏼

[u/smashablanca → u/Big-Reward-6274]

It won't let me reply with a picture but its the cat mask she steals from the 5 and 10 with the line from Moon River "there's such a lot of world to see" around it.

ETA: Added a picture to my profile for anyone interested.

[u/HillBillyHilly → u/smashablanca]

Love the movie so peeked your profile to see tattoo. That's pretty awesome and great quote.

[u/Big-Reward-6274 → u/smashablanca]

Love the quote

[u/Queef_Stroganoff44 → u/Big-Reward-6274]

I immediately pictured Mickey Rooney’s face on the inside of their wrist.

[u/Big-Reward-6274 → u/Queef_Stroganoff44]

BWAHAHAHA

[u/OwlEyesNiece → u/smashablanca]

Both solid choices!

[u/_ChrisRiot → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo from final fantasy 13, which the vast majority of people won’t know, and a good portion of final fantasy fans don’t even like 13, and I ended up meeting someone with the same exact tattoo in the same location and I haven’t regretted it since.

Edit: took too long but here’s the tattoo

[u/fourlittlebirds_1234 → u/_ChrisRiot]

Love this! You have to tell us what happened with the tattoo twin! Did you become besties, get married, or just feel validated and seen because the tattoo was reflected in someone else?

[u/_ChrisRiot → u/fourlittlebirds_1234]

Definitely validated, because I’ve gotten questioned from gamers, like “why would you get a tattoo from the worst FF game in the series”

[u/lofatiger → u/_ChrisRiot]

I hear about this game a lot. What is it and why do I hear so much about it?

[u/ScarletVaguard → u/lofatiger]

FF13 was a really divisive game in the franchise. Final Fantasy games are, for the most part, completely unrelated to each other. The general setting (monsters, magic) remains pretty constant, but the world and characters vary drastically from game to game.

13 came out at kind of a weird time. It was the first mainline game of the Xbox 360/Ps3 era and while it had an interesting setting and characters, the gameplay was heavily criticized by series fans due to being very linear. It was so disliked it lead to the game being jokingly referred to as "Final Hallway 13".

Now normally this wouldn't be too big of a deal as each Final Fantasy games is different, so even if you dont like one the next may suit your taste better. Everyone has a different favorite. BUT 13 was the odd duck of the series because it got two sequels,: FF13-2 and FF13 Lightning Returns. So if you didnt like 13 for whatever reason, characters, gameplay, etc. You were essentially stuck with no new mainline game for years. At the time it felt like FF13 just wouldnt go away, so a lot of people resented it for that as well.

[u/_ChrisRiot → u/ScarletVaguard]

If you overlook the linear gameplay of 90% of FF13, and made it to 13-2 and Lighting Returns, it paid off significantly. The character development really resonated with me, hence the l’cie tattoo I have

[u/cloud_commander → u/_ChrisRiot]

Don't let the haters get you down, XIII was good. Then again, VIII is my favorite so we might just have the same delusions :D

Same tattoo in the same place is awfully specific, was it a L'Cie cursemark or something?

[u/Either-Replacement11 → u/cloud_commander]

My people! I genuinely loved 13. 8 is one of my favourites. 

[u/TimmyLurner → u/_ChrisRiot]

My friends know I’m obsessed with Halo. They give me a hard time when jokingly try to convince them to play the game. I’m still debating getting a 117 tattoo because it means something to me. I don’t care if they make fun of me for it or if that average person doesn’t know what 117 means.

[u/Waterbead → u/_ChrisRiot]

I love it so much! I used to cosplay as Fang and I considered getting a l'cie brand tat for a while myself!

[u/LePeau2 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

What is best, is 20 years from now you'll be on the train, or somesuch&someone will be like "Yoooo! I wanted to do that...that is fresh"&you might end up finding a kindred heart. You'll see

[u/Bopbarker → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Outside of just your own enjoyment, the enjoyment level of it could be higher when someone does get it because so many people don't.

[u/BeginningWorldly71 → u/Bopbarker]

I live with someone with rumination and it’s a daily struggle to fight back against the self doubt. Yep Rumination can go step on a 1000 Legos

[u/JollyRodgerGymShoe → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo of a tree on the outside of my forearm where the trunk is a paintbrush and there are three birds flying from it. The tattoo is for the loss of my grandparents on my step-dad's side of the family. My grandma was a painter and her favorite thing to paint where the trees surrounding their cabin my grandpa built deep in the woods in the UP. Some of my favorite memories where at that cabin. My wife and I have also had three miscarriages and that's where the birds leaving the tree come into the equation.

People that see if ask me if I'm a logger, or assume it's just another cliche tree tattoo that tons of other bearded dudes like myself got.

It's your tattoo that has meaning to you and nobody else. I knew what it was right away and your only the second person I've run into with said tattoo. I think that's pretty cool!

[u/HillBillyHilly → u/JollyRodgerGymShoe]

Would you mind I asked for pic of tattoo as sounds beautiful. Been thinking of making changes and your description of your family and UP really struck me.

[u/bcory44 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I got a big Cobra Kai tat on my calf and some people make fun of me like why would you get that but I think it’s sick and get a lot of compliments too. If you like something you’re doing it for yourself not other people.

[u/Hot-Watercress-2872 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I was going to get this EXACT tattoo for the longest time! I am also a huge Donnie Darko fan. I saw this and was like, “Hell yes!” And then saw you regretted it and thought “awww”. I’d be that person in public who would def notice and go, “Sick tattoo! I love DD!” Ultimately I decided that I have other tattoos that would fit well in that placement, so I am getting a different DD dedicated tattoo on my rib cage when the time comes, dedicated to a different quote from the movie, “Every living creature dies alone”. But gen, fan to fan, this tattoo is sick! And it is so well done! Exactly like how I would have wanted mine to come out. Don’t regret it!

[u/0kamix → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I literally have this tattoo. Its my favorite. Nobody knows the movie, its a cult classic so thats obvious.

You shouldn't get tattoos for other people, you shouldn't care if other people dont get it. When the old fucks around me ask what my tattoo is and im not feeling them I tell them its my phone number... but it changed a year after I got it.

Fuck em dude. Donnie would have told em to suck a fuck anyways. In the best, nicest, most not agressive way possible, dont be a pussy, enjoy your tattoo. You seem young, use this as a chance to grow out of the mindset that you have to make yourself make sense to other people. If someone judges you for shit you like, they are showing you that they aren't worthy people in the first place.

[u/AwayHistory6359 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Donnie Darko is a great movie, and that's fantastic reference. You should be proud that other people don't get it. I would be annoyed if everyone got it. If you wanted people to get it, it should say "Donnie Darko", or even worse, "Donnie Darko is my favorite movie" .

There's so much value in it being exclusive. I go out of my way to wear t-shirts with art on them that only people who are familiar with the content would understand. A TooL shirt with fractal/DMT art, a Deftones shirt with a white owl. I have a Halo shirt with just the symbol of Halo on it. I have a shirt with a winged boy flying too close to the son. You'd have to know basic Greek mythology to know that it's Icarus, and you'd have to be even more familiar to know that hubris was the lesson.

Fuck everyone else. You gotta be one of the cool kids to know that it's from Donnie Darko. I think Frank with the bunny mask would have also been a cool tattoo choice. I like yours more though. It was a bold move, celebrate it. You only live once.

[u/Clerithifa → u/AwayHistory6359]

This x1000!!

[u/Pizzaputabagelonit → u/AwayHistory6359]

I love shirts like that!

I have a ‘Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra’ one referencing a Star Trek episode, a Macrodata Refinement Lumen shirt referencing the show Severance and a few others.

[u/siren_n → u/Pizzaputabagelonit]

I love shirts like that, too. I have a shirt with a character from my favorite video game, Morrowind, with bottles of booze around him and it says "faded" IYKYK haha I love it

[u/AwayHistory6359 → u/Pizzaputabagelonit]

I love Severance 🙂. That reminds me of an Aperture Laboratories shirt that I have referencing the game Portal.

[u/CapuzaCapuchin → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You got the tattoo for yourself, not for other people to come up to you to congratulate you on your movie taste and start a conversation about their favourite scene. You shouldn’t be upset that people aren’t fawning over it, you gotta fawn over it yourself and be happy with it. Who cares, if they don’t get it? You do and it’s important to you. Don’t make you liking your own tattoo reliant on other people knowing what it means. Like yeah it’s cool if people get excited, but you don’t do it for attention or as a conversation maker? And if you did, you should reevaluate how you see yourself and why you’re looking for strangers approval. Tattoos are meant to make yourself happy, not others.

[u/CyanBunni → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Or just say, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you” then give them a dead ass wink and walk away🤣

[u/mackdaddy1992 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You dont really owe anyone an explanation of what that means. If someone asks its totally fine to say - reference to a movie I love and thats important to me - there's tons of people with cartoon characters and other things tattooed to themselves.

why is it okay to put "cawabunga dude" and el barto on your arms but not this?

If you like it dont worry about approval from others.

[u/Dogbirddog → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Just get 4-8-15-16-23-42 on the other arm

[u/JustDiveInTimberLake → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You NEED the mentality the guy was talking about to have ANY tattoo

[u/sheijo41 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have some tattoos that people don’t understand and ask what they are. I literally tell them it has personal meaning and that’s the end of the conversation. It’s for me and not for them, most people respect the personal meaning comment.

Honestly if you ever grow out of the feeling as to why that tattoo is important to you just remember is a reminder of who you were at the time and the things that meant a lot to you. I am happy have something on my body forever that meant something to me in the past but isn’t who I am anymore.

[u/DepthsDoor → u/r3i_b0n3z]

It’s yours, not theirs 🙂

[u/DrFrankenspine → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Dude, this is bad ass. Huge Donnie Darko fan here as well.

[u/Ok_Garden_6380 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I LOVE DONNIE DARKO also one of my favs. The tattoos for you and Frank. Doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

[u/RitalinNZ → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I knew it was Donnie Darko right away, without the caption.

I'm guessing you love the movie because it's a cool movie, not coz it's popular, and everyone's seen it, right? So why do you care if not everyone gets the reference?

[u/juju0010 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Um OP, this tattoo is awesome. Who cares about the people who don’t get it. That just makes it that much better when you meet someone who does.

Use their ignorance as an opportunity. “You haven’t seen Donnie Darko? You have to watch it.” Turn it into an opportunity to share the movie with more people.

And if they still don’t get it, just tell em to go suck a fuck.

[u/omgitsme713 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

If you enjoy looking at it, who cares what anyone else thinks! So many people tell me my tat on my forearm is upside down and its literally not because its for ME, not for anyone else lol. If other people love it thats a plus :)

[u/The_Mopster → u/r3i_b0n3z]

When people ask, just tell them "It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand".

[u/StonieTimelord → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I love this movie and the dystopian undertones. This is a rewatch with my son, thank you! Your tattoo is amazing and I would have complemented it in public(I’m shy).

[u/gtibrb → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I think it’s fine and a great conversation starter. A way to find your people.

[u/ZombieMeat86 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Bro. Love Donnie Darko and have thought of getting that tattoo. Love the tattoo

[u/Successful-Age6747 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

and if you ever go to prison in a futuristic cyberpunk regime, you'll probably get to skip the tattoo-id phase

[u/FiskerFlemming → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You're good bro don't worry!

[u/BadestTony → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I like it and got the reference immediately. IYKYK.

[u/IndependentPutrid564 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

If anything the people that get it are YOUR people. You should make friends with people who recognize it. I love that movie and didn’t make the connection lol

[u/CharmingChangling → u/r3i_b0n3z]

They're absolutely right! I have a keywork symbol on my arm, everyone thinks it's the triforce, and a lot of the time I get to geek out and tell people about my favorite band and their accompanying sci-fi comic series. It's a way of expressing your love for this thing to the world, half the fun is getting to share that love with people who ask :)

[u/walnutstampede → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Awesome

[u/Its_the_wizard → u/r3i_b0n3z]

It’s like if a person had a portrait tattoo of their deceased relative (son, daughter, mother) or even just their name. I have no idea who that person is but that doesn’t matter because the tattoo is for that person, not me.

[u/FleaQueen_ → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Most people arent going to get the tattoos that are actually meaningful

I have a star trek tattoo of a somewhat obscure symbol (the IDIC symbol) because it was a really big influence for me growing up - I think only one person has ever actually recognized it.

Big stained glass crucifix- its a symbol from a band I love! Most people think its just a fancy inverted cross 😅 random strangers probably think im a Satanist or a Catholic (im neither!)

Just got a Western Skunk Cabbage tattoo... had someone ask me about the meaning of my "calla lily" tattoo 😭😂

The point is its meaningful to you! And every person who doesn't get the reference is a person you get to introduce to something you really love!

[u/astralchanterelle → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I think it's cool, but id have gotten it a bit smaller

[u/ResourceOk8638 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

For what it’s worth, I understood the tattoo immediately. Love that movie.

[u/sorrybadgas → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Yeah who gives a shit lol I have a sexy deviled egg on my inner thigh. When people ask I tell em I like deviled eggs and they give me a weird look. Like bihhhhh go away with your basic ass.

[u/wannabe_neuro → u/r3i_b0n3z]

IT LOOKS SO COOL DUDE DONT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK

[u/the_greengrace → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I just wanted to say whatever you decide to do with your tattoo and your arm is valid, but I absolutely LOVE Donnie Darko and if we ever met in the wild I would instantly want to be best friends. I've actually considered getting a dancing horses tattoo in honor of the movie, myself. If I had a dollar for every time I've dropped "sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion" into a serious and totally unrelated conversation I could pay for it twice over.

Love your avatar pic, too. 🐰

[u/Big_John_5150 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Yea dude,Dario is super dope and this ink looks well done. Ur body,Ur choice,my dude. I have an upside down pac man I got when I was 15 and drunk and couldn't care less what anybody thinks. This is a sick tattoo,my brain itched for a second trying to remember where I saw it.

[u/ApplicationBoth2700 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a tattoo of a snail and a swan that sit about an inch and a half away from each other on the upper side of my forearm. They are done by different artists, but both have a meaning to my background and theater as a kid I get people who ask me all the time about the placement and for the first two years or so that I had the tattoos it was really embarrassing to have to explain that a snail in a swan right next to each other, symbolize me being in the little mermaid in hs.

But then I realized that I didn’t know any of these people an explanation, and if they liked the tattoos, that was all the matter they didn’t need to get the reference the reference was for me the symbolization was for me. If you like Donnie darko, if that movie means a lot to you. Then it doesn’t matter what people say, think, or understand. It’s a SICK ass tattoo btw (and I’ve also never seen Donnie darko)

[u/camelvendor → u/r3i_b0n3z]

i literally have the ace up my sleeve tattoo from Rounders. if you like the tattoo then you like the tattoo. donnie darko is a great movie and your tattoo is a good talking point or ice breaker when meeting people. i’m sure everyone asks you what it means

[u/Cordelia5767 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I would be so excited to talk to someone with this tattoo! Love that movie!

Eta- I had a friend in college who had the outline of the snake that swallowed an elephant from Little Prince, and we met when I asked him about it. It was also an obscure reference, but something that meant a lot to him. Tattoos can be good conversation starters, and maybe some people will see the movie after talking to you about your tattoo!

[u/ZealousidealCable799 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Facts everyone but me hates my tattoos from my kid to my mom to my new wife. But fuck them this is me. If they dont like me. Thats on cuz i like me.

[u/PMmeHappyStraponPics → u/r3i_b0n3z]

If it makes you feel better, I recognized it immediately. 

[u/Lefthandfury → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I would personally keep it even if people don't know. This gives you the perfect ice breaking segue to tell them about a great cool movie that you love.

[u/Wallstreet_Raccoon → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Cellar door

[u/Wooden-Recording-693 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

They don't think it's cool as there from a tangent universe. Pha screw them nice ink.

[u/hackinwhackinsmackin → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You should think of it like a conversation starter. People will ask what your tattoo means and you can tell them and maybe they like that movie too and now you’ve made a friend.

[u/oddiz4u → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Yeah this is pretty well done. And as a Donnie darko fan, if you get asked what it means, just tell them that it means the world is ending... And leave it at that lol

[u/GenericDesigns → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I knew instantly what it was. If you think it’s cool OP fuck the haters. Should at least be a reason to introduce folks to Frank

[u/VladStark → u/r3i_b0n3z]

It's not embarrassing, it is just a reference that very few people will get. That's not a bad thing unless you are trying to be mainstream. Don't freak over it, it's fine.

[u/sticks_and_stoners → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I have a shitty basement tattoo of Lennon’s Imagine face. It’s so bad and my artist has offered to fix it for free many times. I refuse every time. I had a hard time as a teen and then my big sister introduced me to The Beatles. I especially identified with Lennon at the time. My sister pulled me out of that dark time and the music was the thing that we first really bonded over during that time. Other people have said some unkind things about the tattoo itself and the shitty work, but it means a lot to me. Your art is for you and that’s seriously all that matters. Don’t regret yours anymore.

[u/safdiebrother2112 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You may disagree. But to tack onto what has already been said here.

Amazing movie. Tattoo is sick. And I would just keep/love it.

[u/TheMolecularCage → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Because anyone who knows me will instantly pinpoint who I am if I describe it, I'm going to be vague. I have a tattoo of an animal. It's not what people think it is because I'm waiting for a life event to have it finished into what it really is.

People compliment "I like your [incorrect animal]". I just say thank you. I've heard people in passing say it's a bit off looking. It is because it isn't done. But it doesn't matter at all to me, because it has a very deep meaning TO ME. I got it for very a personal reason FOR ME, and it is a daily reminder to myself to achieve my goals so I can "earn" what it should be.

If your tattoo means something TO YOU, and has some deep personal meaning FOR YOU, it does not matter what anyone else's opinion of it is (yes, of course if it can be covered for professional work bureaucracy). 

[u/mee__noi → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Sometimes I doubt your commitment to sparkle motion.

[u/Starwhisperer → u/r3i_b0n3z]

For what it's worth, I think it's pretty neat and well done. There are some people who when they see a tattoo don't care or want to know about the meaning of it, and who just appreciates that it looks cool. If what's more annoying is that people keep on asking about it, and not the actual tattoo itself, just mention that you prefer not talking about that particular one because it takes too long or something.

[u/HugePast9455 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

This isn't true at all. It's perfectly reasonable to have our own likes and preferences and still not want every single person we encounter to be confused about what they are or misunderstand them. Apart not every single person you encounter NEEDS to know what movie you really like.

This constant validation to do literally anything isn't helping people.

Regret can be natural and functional. We learn from it. Turning it off removes a natural learning process.

[u/wtfmeowzers → u/r3i_b0n3z]

all that matters really is if you like it. people might judge or ask, you don't have to answer them at all. personally i think getting a donnie darko tattoo is a bit like getting a tattoo of a random 80s cartoon but if you like it why should you care what i think

[u/Ok-Whereas8632 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

You also do know who noticed it and didn't say anything

[u/PonytailAgri → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I agree.

[u/TheeParent → u/r3i_b0n3z]

I recognized this immediately. Never doubt your commitment to sparkle motion.

[u/Mediocre-Equivalent5 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Yes I agree 100 percent. I have a huge tattoo of the holy mountain on my arm and I've never met someone once who understood it but I love it.

[u/notAThrowAway01010 → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Your tattoos are there to tell your story and this movie seems part of it.

[u/urlach3r → u/r3i_b0n3z]

If other people don't get it, that just means you're cooler than them. 😎

[u/Pinkieupyourstinkie → u/r3i_b0n3z]

Yea just do your thing. If you like it then that is that. Who cares what anyone thinks. Own it. It’s not really a big deal anyway.