My Newest Tattoo | Amy Zellmer, Artist

Jul• 10•12

This past week I decided to get a permanent reminder tattooed on my left forearm. It is a constant reminder to love myself, unconditionally, ALL.THE.TIME.

This past year was a rough one for me. And there were a few super bumpy months in there, months where I just didn’t know how I was going to continue. Times where I wanted to throw in the towel on love, life, photography, and everything in between. I went through a divorce, I dated a few liars, cheaters, creepers, and weirdos, I had some crazy psycho clients, I had “friends” stab me in the back (seriously, who needs enemies with friends like that?! I wasn’t sure whether to keep my studio or move it into my home, I lost a fabulous employee and friend. I didn’t know how I was going to manage my business and homelife all on my own. I was all alone for the first time in pretty much my entire life.  I was on the brink of losing my mind.

Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom in order to see what’s really important in your life. I am surrounded by AMAZING friends and family. I had people looking out for me constantly. True friends who had my back no matter what I did or was going through. They were there for me and loved me unconditionally. Yet, I wasn’t allowing myself to love myself. I saw this ugly, dark, bitchy, stupid, run-down person staring back at me in the mirror. I had really lost my way and it scared me, a lot.

I am really good at hiding my emotions and what is eating away at me from others. I have learned over the last few months that I need to just let go, and allow others who want to help me to do that! And I have learned to love myself again. I know that I am awesome, talented, beautiful, charming, witty, smart, funny, oh the list goes on. But I do really need a permanent and constant reminder of that. Hence why I tattooed “Love” on my arm where I see it all day long.

It is beautiful and sexy, and I am so happy that I decided (rather randomly) to have it done. It’s a positive message to me and to anyone who sees it.

Thanks to Edsel at Lucky Linda’s Tattoo Parlor in Shakopee 🙂

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12 Comments

  1. Mike Schultz says:

    You probably remember me at The Digital Workroom.

    I just wanted to share a verse with you:
    Isaiah 41:10,13

    God Bless

  2. Love is all there is! Baba Nam Kevalam!
    I have a client who is currently feeling exactly as you did and gratefully feel no more. She needs my help reframing many of her very visceral triggers she’s experiencing and I need her to apply my skills and feel purposeful. This symbiosis is always present within and around us and it is called LOVE. Thank you for your open heartedness. Congratulations!

  3. It is beautiful! I am planning a tattoo in the exact same place as a reminder to myself that tarot will always be a part of my life, no matter what.

    Congratulations!

  4. What a nice reminder! This reminds me of someone who tattooed “Dream Big” on their forearm. How great to see such a positive reminder throughout the day. Congrats!

  5. I love your post. Having gone through quite a bit of transition myself including a divorce, I can relate. I have been alone more in my life today than ever before and sometimes it feels lonely but I also know this time for me is about getting comfortable with being alone and loving myself in the process. I have a tattoo on my list as well but haven’t gotten it yet. I want it in the same place you got yours:) I’s a Sanskrit phrase with no literal translation. The rough translation is “may all people everywhere be happy.”

  6. Meg says:

    To say you have a hard time expressing your emotions, I think you are getting over that. I was struck by how raw and transparent this post is and that is such a fantastic gift to us and to you.

  7. Amy.. I love this..whatever else happened to come back to love shows what you’re made of.. beautiful. your website looks gorgeous by the way.. green so fresh and pretty. And… I got my first tattoos not too long ago.. first one at age 51..Sounds like you’re in a gorgeous place..

    Love to you,
    Lisa
    http://www.IntuitiveBody.com
    Simple Sacred Solutions For Living Beautifully In Your Body

  8. Teresa says:

    Beautiful ink! Such a gorgeous and tangible reminder for you. You are fabulous!

    And I picked my right inner forearm for my very first tattoo earlier this year…. I get to see my pretty butterfly *all the time* and I so love it!

    Hugs and butterflies,
    ~Teresa~

  9. Jessica says:

    Wow — so brave, on every front! It really takes courage to love yourself; the easy way would have been to sad-sack all around and feel like a victim every day. Good for you, for being able to see the many blessings in your life and to appreciate your SELF.

  10. Inga Deksne says:

    wow, Amy, thanks for sharing your story. I always thought that I couldn’t have a tattoo because it’s too painful but I think I could cope with the pain for something that reminds me about unconditional love towards myself.

    I can relate to your story Amy, I was in a very dark place last year, and that also taught me how to love myself and how to build inner strength. As the result I believe I’ve learned how to love myself unconditionally and it makes easier to love and accept other people as well.
    Now I’m thinking of getting a tattoo too…

  11. Julie Geigle says:

    What a beautiful tatoo! And what an amazing journey you’ve been on!! I think meaningful tatoos are so cool. Mine is on my inside ankle and it is an ornate cross. It is a simple reminder to “let go and let God” be the driving force in my life, but now that I see yours…ohhh, I want that one too!!! ♥

  12. Edsel says:

    I am glad you came to me to get it done. I am glad I could be a part of your healing process.

    Edsel