sarahwilliamsandco

It turns out I haven’t done a single tattoo origins post this year. So it goes.

Today’s origin story is a little quick one because the meaning behind it is important but not complicated.

This tattoo, of all my seven, is unique in the sense that it is the only one without words.

Years ago now, I was looking at people’s tattoos online. Does anyone else do this? I find it has the ability to black hole me, not dissimilar to how YouTube or Instagram can. But anyway, I saw a couple of times these little triangular glyphs and thought they were cute. I wondered if they meant anything or were just geometric artwork. Then I stumbled across a table that had all these glyphs written out with their meanings. They’re things like connect, express and challenge. I liked them. They’re so simple yet would have a private meaning to myself. I’m pretty into coded tattoos, don’t know if you’ve noticed!

I decided I needed them. I looked at all the glyphs but three words instantly stuck out to me and I knew exactly the order I’d get.

So why these words?

Create: I love to write but I often forget this fact. This triangle reminds me to always keep finding words. In my journal, for my blog, or maybe one day for something bigger. Enjoy the magic of building and curating something that’s mine. And do it to move people. In some way.

Explore: Because I love to travel. Who doesn’t? Whenever I feel in a rut or just a little unfulfilled, this triangle reminds me that’s okay. I just need to alter my mindset. And maybe my location. Whenever I go to a new city I search for an Irish pub, a bookshop and a vegan place. It makes each city my own. When I go to the countryside, or the mountains, or the ocean, I take a minute to close my eyes and breathe. To remember I’m alive.

Learn: We are never done learning. And I think people are naïve to say the opposite. Why would you ever want to stop discovering new information? I find the world utterly fascinating. I want to know it’s secrets. But you won’t learn them until you ask. So this triangle reminds me to read, to listen, to build, to try, to have humility. To have patience. And to have persistence. It also reminds me to be empathetic. To be an ally. And to love above all else.

And there you have it.

Wild Roses – Of Monsters And Men