I’ve wanted to get inked for a long time. I don’t know why, exactly. Something about tattoos has just always appealed.
It wasn’t until I found myself single in 2010, after a long relationship, that I started thinking about it seriously though. Being in a relationship with someone who was against tattoos made it an easy thing to delay. So with my newfound freedom, I set about trying to decide what to get.
Though I only had my own internal conflict to deal with, the decision still wasn’t an easy one. I wanted my first tattoo to be something significant to me; something I could be sure I wouldn’t regret one day. Living in Brunswick, where it seemed nearly everyone had tattoos, I spent a lot of time cringing at cliché or just horribly ugly tattoo designs.
I decided upon and then subsequently changed my mind about no less than ten different designs over the next few years before I suddenly realised that the answer was staring me right in the face. What was the one aspect of my life that had impacted me more than any other on every level?
Hiking, and my love of nature.
So the search for a hiking-relevant design began, and it wasn’t long before I found one that suited me perfectly. I’d have preferred to design my own, but the reality is that there are a lot of better designers out there. This one satisfied my love of the mountains, and my love of simple, clean design. It was perfect.
Still, I sat on this idea for another two years – I guess I wanted to be REALLY sure. At some point during this time, Lori decided to get a matching one. She fell in love with the design too so coupled with her love of mountains and her love of me, it seemed like a natural thing to do.
With the kidlets away in Sydney these past school holidays I was all out of excuses, so we decided to just go for it. I was incredibly nervous walking into the tattooist, but I think that was mainly about the perceived pain I was about to subject myself to. Less than an hour later we both walked out, completely unable to stop staring at our new ink. The pain had been absolutely nothing compared to what I thought it’d be, and I was already planning my next one.
If I ever stop hiking, which I hope I never do, I’m glad I’ll always have this reminder of the impact that the mountains have had on my psyche.
Have you got a nature-inspired tattoo? Got anything to say about mine? Let me know by commenting below.
Love this design. It’s simple but has meaning behind it. I may do this myself as a reminder of how happy I am when I’m hiking and I should do more of it.
Not a bad idea 😉
No good for the injury! I actually realized after I sent that I am out for the next month to go do some missions in Indo and Darwin.
Good luck with the recovery and I may catch you around 🙂
Now I am off to my staple, Mt Macedon.
Alex.
Indo and Darwin!? Jealous. Would love to hear all about them. Hit me up if on Facebook (search me) or Instagram (@aushikingtours or @neilfahey) if you’re on there and you’ll be sharing photos.
I was hiking from Douglas Road to the Macedon summit every other weekend in the lead up to my Larapinta trip. Helped me get my fitness up, but then I tripped on a bloody rock anyway. :/
Neil
Hey mate,
Just noticed you said you were in Brunswick. I’m located in Coburg, can hold a conversation and am always keen on new outdoor missions. If you are looking for numbers or someone to chat to on a hike,
Alex.
Hey Alex,
Cheers for that. I’m actually in Coburg too, these days. I’ve removed your phone number from the comment just in case you didn’t want it published here for all eternity, but have saved it to my phone. I’m actually going to be out of action for a while (possible torn meniscus) but might hit you up down the track. Thanks for the offer.
Cheers
Neil
I probably won’t get a tatt but that’s more to do with my phobic fear of infection from needles! I love the idea though and as Caro said, there are so many transient or ephemeral things in this world now that something permanent like this is a beautiful expression of your shared love. I do have plenty of scars as reminders of my mountain walks. Not quite as romantic though!
Thanks Jane! Haha yep the scars are another kind of permanent reminder! 😉 Slightly less attractive though hehe.
Cheers
Neil
Really nice work mate. Great significance and truly lovely that Lori shares in it with you.
I reckon there’s something about the permanence of tattoos that we find fascinating and appealing.
In this crazy 140 character, 10 sec Snapchat, temporary life that we lead, I think we find it increasingly difficult to find things that last. Jobs, partners, friends, technology (Wow! That MySpace is so amazing!!!), life all seem to pass us by quickly.
You’ve locked into something that is not only permanent to your skin, but permanent to your soul. Nice one.
Thanks Caro! You’re onto something there, I reckon. 🙂
Cheers
Neil