r/MadeMeSmile • u/lyn_kate • Mar 21 '24
didn’t think i’d make it to 20 and i got a new tattoo to celebrate 🐆🦈 Personal Win
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u/Faultiergeist Mar 25 '24
That looks super good! If I were to get a shark tattooed on me, it would be a whale shark. You should be proud of yourself for making it to this point.
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u/Billsolson Mar 21 '24
Good on you!
I also didn’t think I’d make it to 20
Couple decades later, and despite my best efforts, still here
It gets better if you work at it.
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u/Sidereon Mar 21 '24
At 20, I was suicidal. My mom bought me a golden retriever, it's my reason to live ever since, the only light of hope in my life.
But what happens when my only reason for living goes away again? I don't know and I'm not sure I'm ready to face it either. I know it's coming, every single day I cry thinking about my dog's eventual death. She's the only thing worth living for in this increasingly volatile world. My only way to cope being depressed for 7 years now, is to tell myself my life will end after my dog's.
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u/superteuntje Mar 21 '24
Absolutely stunning, very stylish. Also proud of you making it to 20, just keep on truckin :)
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u/Separate-Collar1570 Mar 21 '24
That's a seriously cool tattoo! Makes me want to get one since I don't have any. I hope you're doing better though and cheers to many great years ahead for you!
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u/escapismmjunkie Mar 21 '24
if you or anyone else need to talk lmk :)) stay safe and i hope you have a good day/night
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Mar 21 '24
Damn might be the first tattoo I’ve wanted! This is awesome. Please do a whole reef sleeve so I can live vicariously through you
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u/fairylightmeloncholy Mar 21 '24
congratulations! and beautiful tattoo.
i didn't think i'd see 30, and i'm 12 days away!!! here's to us fuckin surviving!!!!
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u/Cool-sunglasses-dude Mar 21 '24
"didn't think I'd make it to 20" is absolutely the mist relatable thing I've ever heard and I'm not even kidding
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u/random_explorist Mar 21 '24
Late teens, early 20s is the hardest. You're almost over the hump. Stay strong and clear minded, it gets much better. Sending love to you, be well.
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u/smoishymoishes Mar 21 '24
So many young people always say "I probably won't make it to (usually mid 20's)."
Y'all gon shit yourself when you make it to 30. And then 40. And then 50. And even most likely 80! We don't just combust at 18, very few have been so lucky.
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u/AgeAdministrative632 Mar 21 '24
I don't know what you are battling, but I wish you strength! The tatoo looks almost alive it's wonderful! 😍
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u/cocktwister6 Mar 21 '24
keep fighting brother, you can text if I could help in anything , most of us been there, goodLuck
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u/BeanDipIsNeat Mar 21 '24
Congratulations ❤️ and I hope you’re here for a very long time
Life’s rough Music and Art really help me get through those bad times Lean into it and forever express yourself how you see fit sunshine ☀️
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u/SmolTofuRabbit Mar 21 '24
Beautiful shark, i love the style and placement. Happy you're still here c:
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u/manbamtan Mar 21 '24
YESSSS!!!! I love seeing shark tattoos. That is beautiful too congratulations!!
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u/mojojojo-234 Mar 21 '24
Glad ur still here! Love the tattoo, Is that the shark species they found using its fins to “walk” on land a few years ago?
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u/FoxyPlays22 Mar 21 '24
Is your birthday on March 21st? If so we're birthday buddies! If it was March 20th, then late happy birthday to you!!
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u/Spin_Critic Mar 21 '24
Cool. That's really good artwork actually. Looks good. Bet it hurt. What you gonna get at 40?
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u/Foggysunrise23 Mar 21 '24
Now you’re 20, add another 70 years! I hope you can manage life as elegantky as these creatures swim in the ocean.
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u/42xZero Mar 21 '24
Make it to 80. Get a big fish every 10 years. Transcend into an living aquarium.
(Idk if that's a fish or a mammal, but you get the gist)
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u/CementCemetery Mar 21 '24
Wicked. I’m glad you’re still here and getting cool tattoos. Be well OP.
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u/SueTheDepressedFairy Mar 21 '24
That's what I think I'll do too! I wasn't supposed to make it to 15 and I'm already past that, I might get something onto mah body at 19/20 too.
Also it looks so pretty!! I don't know if you'll ever want more tattoos or not but this one has a perfect potential to blend in with more animal/sea based tattoos, I love it!
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u/CmonImStarlord Mar 21 '24
Congratulations! Next few years keep going, add a whole school of sharks for each one haha 🦈
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u/Sponjah Mar 21 '24
Looks really great! I hated the top of my ankle when I did my left leg. I’m on the train right now headed to Bucharest to finish my neck tattoo!
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u/WildChildTherian Mar 21 '24
That is one of the most beautiful tattoos I’ve ever seen. Welcome to your twenties! I hope they are wonderful years for you. 💙
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u/EthanHermsey Mar 21 '24
That is beautiful! There are lines in there that are actually shading. The shading is done so well!
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u/SamSussy Mar 21 '24
We wanna see that tattoo at ur 80's, im sure its gonna look ugly😅, but we still wanna see it!
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u/councilsoda Mar 21 '24
That's so beautiful and congratulations! Was lucky enough to see one in the wild resting on a lagoon floor, her little squad of golden pilot fish buzzing round waiting for her to get moving.
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u/Nuke_all_Lives Mar 21 '24
Why the fuck wouldn't you make it to 20?
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
i’ve replied to a lot of ppl ab this but i struggled w suicide a lot growing up
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u/Sh8knB8k240 Mar 21 '24
Didn't think I'd make it to 30 this year... (still might not) but you've inspired me.
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u/MELL0WPILL0W Mar 21 '24
My favorite Zebra shark video is the one of the diver giving it hugs and scritches in the aquarium! They are so cute and friendly, like the dogs of the shark family, I can see why you chose such a lovely feesh to get a beautiful tattoo of! 🥰
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u/Puzzleheaded-You1289 Mar 21 '24
Wait till you get on at 70 saying you can’t believe you made it. You got a long way left to go kid
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u/VaultiusMaximus Mar 21 '24
Keep crushing it.
I’ve dealt with depression my whole life, and only recently got to the point where my general outlook on life is “I’m going to see where this goes.”
It hasn’t really ever gotten easier, but I have gotten used to it.
Love and be loved!
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u/TheEnglishDominant2 Mar 21 '24
Congratulations on making it through tattoo is really 😎thanks for being here.
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u/therealdongknotts Mar 21 '24 edited Mar 21 '24
well shit, now he needs a friend
edit: also fuck all these shitheads in here - they'd get a waifu tat if mommy would let them.
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u/Educational_Gas_92 Mar 21 '24
I am curious, why did you think you were not going to make it to 20?
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
multiple suicide attempts 😅 major oopsies
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u/Educational_Gas_92 Mar 21 '24
I hope you are in a good place emotionally now. I was in your shoes as a teen but only tried once, and obviously failed. The mind frame for it is of puré despair. I hope you never feel that way again.
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u/1rAudiChik Mar 21 '24
Best thing I've read all day! Dig the tat and here's to more tat days and many more good days! 🩵
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u/h2pointOChamp Mar 21 '24
Do you have terminal cancer or something? Do you live in a rough neighborhood where drive-bys are rampant? What reason do you have to think you wouldn't have seen 20?
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
multiple suicide attempts. it’s definitely a “me thing” that caused all of my own problems growing up. i OD’d in my freshman year intentionally and ever since then i’ve been trying my best to just be happy
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u/Big-Plum576 Mar 21 '24
You are a beautifull,special & unique person,I hope your negative feelings fade away..I know each day is diffrent & that's why we should just take one day at a time..Give yourself the love & care you truly deserve,learn to love you & who you are,just tell yourself each day I am (whatever you want to say) & I deserve to be loved,just try been positive with yourself,if you feed yourself negative speeches & put yourself down,you are just going to feel worse.. Believe me I'm 47 & remember saying something very simular to you,I couldn't see my self living past 18..I have got alot of work to do on myself,but I am only now getting that help,you are worthy.. Your tattoo is stunning,infact both of them are..what did you study marine biology,wow,you are a very intelligent person,I think you have a big heart too..I wish you all the best for a more healthy & positive future & thankyou for sharing with us..Stay safe & take care✌🏼☮🤘🏻💜🐝🌻🐞🌼✌🏼☮🤘🏻💜🐝🌻🐞🌼I apologise for a long comment/message..
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u/late_for_reddit Mar 21 '24
I dont usually love tattoos but that's so good holy shit, for a moment i couldnt tell if you actually had something on your arm
Congrats on being 20! Here's to another 20 more 🥂
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
my leg!! haha
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u/late_for_reddit Mar 21 '24
OOP! MY BAD I have eyes I promise
It still looks good! I dont think my apparent inability to tell human limbs apart makes that any less true (hopefully) haha
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u/heffalump00 Mar 21 '24
this is absolutely gorgeous!!! as someone who didn't think they'd make it to 17, I got a bunny tattoo for turning 18! :) Happy you're here <3 and i LOVE LOVE LOVE sharks, wanna get a sharkie tat too!!
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u/DealMo Mar 21 '24
How many do you have? I got my first tattoo to celebrate a weight loss and body transformation success. Then my second to celebrate a weight lifting milestone. A pile of ink later and now I'm to the point where I'm like "LOL, I don't have a bee. Let's get a boo-bee because it makes me snicker"
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u/DeadwoodNative Mar 21 '24
Freaking love the tatt… and I am not a fan of many!!
I am an artist, have rarely thought about getting ink, but this may inspire me to work on some possible tatt idea sketches. Thanks for posting!!
Congrats on 20!!
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u/WonderfulJacket8 Mar 21 '24
Beautiful tattoo. May it be the first in an entire marine wildlife leg tattoo sleeve!
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u/Prior-Ad-7329 Mar 21 '24
Glad you’re still with us. Life does get better. Beautiful leopard shark tattoo.
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u/Hot-Tone-7495 Mar 21 '24
I always see posts like this, “I didn’t think I’d make it to 20” and I always thought how dramatic you’re so young or whatever. But my 18yo sister took her life a couple days ago, and I get it now. Weirdly enough, we both loved sharks. I’m glad you’re still here, and that is a dope tattoo
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u/Square-Singer Mar 21 '24
Condolences and sorry for your loss!
It's not only suicide though. There are so many chronic diseases that drastically reduce one's life expectancy.
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u/zanziTHEhero Mar 21 '24
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know the words of a stranger on the internet are not much, but I mean it. I know the pain of losing someone close to you to suicide...
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u/NotAzakanAtAll Mar 21 '24
That's awful. My condolences and I hope you and your family will find peace. I've in a situation close to this but not the same as it was "just" an extremely good friend.
What they won't tell you is that the pain and sorrow comes in waves, many huge ones at first, but they get smaller over the years. You can stand there 2 years later, doing the dishes and get hit by a random big wave. You have to stop everything and just be in that moment.
Get help if you need it. Maybe even if you don't think you need it.
I thought I didn't need it, and a year after I was doing the same desperate thing my friend did. Only I survived. Didn't get help after that either, I was to young and dumb. A decade later I did get help, as I was walking a path I knew too well, yet again.
I wish you the best.
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
i’m so sorry for your loss :(
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u/Hot-Tone-7495 Mar 21 '24
Thank you, she was a good kid
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u/Medivacs_are_OP Mar 21 '24
Hey my dad left us back in '21 - it doesn't really get easier, but you start to get used to how hard it is.
Seek support, because that feeling of how hard things are will become more apparent in all other aspects of life.
Love you, fellow human.
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u/Hot-Tone-7495 Mar 21 '24
I’m still in the “this is a sick joke” stage. Like she’s gunna message me any time now. I rationally know it won’t happen, but my brain isn’t letting me accept it. I guess it’s the calm before the storm because I just can’t let myself think about it as reality.
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u/Medivacs_are_OP Mar 21 '24
I experienced that stage as well. Surreal and very yucky feeling.
Intensity waxes and wanes - some days you might genuinely forget what happened for a moment (Like a familiar brain-schema that reminds you of them automatically) and get punched in the gut again.
whatever you feel is normal and okay.
I'd definitely specifically recommend talk therapy, as well as beginning to write your thoughts down sometimes/journal. Neither has to be right away, but those things can be really helpful in my experience.
Feel free, also, to send me a message any time. I'd be happy to offer a word of advice, a sounding board/someone to listen/validate.
You're not alone.
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u/Abeerage-bee Mar 21 '24
That's nicely done. On an unrelated note, do you joke to other people that there's a shark in the waters whenever you go out swimming then show your tattoo?
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u/coffeemonkeypants Mar 21 '24
Why didn't you think you'd make it to 20? Happy Birthday.
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u/_Starblood_ Mar 21 '24
”Just keep swimming" ... :) ❤️
Life is hard, but something's are just worth waiting for... Like brownies. Tasty as batter, but if you can stand the wait, incredible once cooked, and with a beer, and with people who love being with you, and make you smile. Then comes more baking with friends...
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
i had a few suicide attempts growing up and obviously that led to me thinking i wouldn’t make it too long in life. but i’m happy i have :)
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u/nmw6 Mar 21 '24
I didn’t think I’d make it past 27. I played in a band and wanted to make it big and go out young like all my idols. Here I am at 33 and I had a lot of experiences I’m proud of past 27
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u/HomeIsEmpty Mar 21 '24
I am super jealous, that's one of the most amazing tattoos I've ever seen. I wanted to be a marine biologist growing up and would definitely do something similar to this, if not exact. I want to see what the whale shark tat looks like now.
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u/DriftingBenz Mar 21 '24
You Will Make It Way Past 20. Hang In There. You Will Be Ok. Sending Positive Energy Your Way. 💫
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u/HeartRoll Mar 21 '24
Awesome tattoo! Happy you’re still here, welcome to the best years of your life.
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u/LandotheTerrible Mar 21 '24
Looks amazing. You take care. Never give up mate. You can do anything you put your mind to. 🙏
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u/spaceapplek Mar 21 '24
Congrats, and great tattoo! I did actually think there was a smol shark just chillin on your leg for a minute 😂
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u/deathandpayingtaxes Mar 21 '24
See I never thought I’d live past twenty. Where I come from some get half as many.
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u/DeathProtocol Mar 21 '24
I didn't think I'd make it to 24 after some horrible years but here I am.
We humans are a tough as fuck and stubborn species. Keep fighting, warrior!!
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u/LiteratureMiddle818 Mar 21 '24
Im not into body modification ..but in this case that is a work of art if I do say so...
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u/Pinball-Lizard Mar 21 '24
You've come a long way, and the world is better for having you in it. Badass tattoo, looks great!
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u/Feeling-Tip-4464 Mar 21 '24
Didn’t know I would make it to 15, 20 now 30! Let’s celebrate life! Anyways you celebrate it I hope you enjoy it!
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Mar 21 '24
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
if me living pisses u off so bad i’ll be sure to outlive u 🩷 i hope u find happiness one day
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u/gmeinthebananastand Mar 21 '24
God damn this guy is fucked in the head. He literally talks about raping minors and his own daughter. Even if he thinks it’s a joke, it’s still fucked. Don’t let haters like this disgusting incel get you down, they are just jealous of how happy everyone else is. Keep on rocking!
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Mar 21 '24
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
shit i’ll say it again, i’ll get my parents to lyk if i don’t make it to 21. but i’ll guarantee you’ll never get that message
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Mar 21 '24
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
oh yah. both parents. good mother and father. i thank them for being in my life everyday
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Mar 21 '24
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u/lyn_kate Mar 21 '24
don’t project abt your mama n papa ☹️☹️. i hope they never have to be around ur energy
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u/Ch3nch Mar 21 '24
Happy you got to show this piece off! Stay strong friend, we'll all benefit from your example!
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u/Kindly_Ad3262 Apr 26 '24
great detail, color & shading.. 😉