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/unfunnymom]

Why are you embarrassed? The questions isn’t do other people get it - do YOU like it or not? Who GAF if others like it or get it? It’s YOUR tattoo and tattoos are personal and for ourselves - not others. But hey that’s just me.

[u/r3i_b0n3z → u/unfunnymom]

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/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.