Okay so yesterday I finally did that dumb-but-fun thing I’d been half-planning forever: got tattoos on my feet and ankles. Yeah, exactly where everyone warns you it hurts like crazy. Buckle up, gonna tell you exactly how it went down.
The Why & What Moment
So honestly? Saw this really tiny, delicate vine design online a few months back, wrapping around someone’s ankle. Simple. Like maybe three thin lines total. Thought it’d be cute. Had a vague idea floating in my head ever since. Didn’t want anything huge or screaming for attention, just… something for me. Took weeks of looking at flash, scrolling Instagram, just getting a feel. Settled on two tiny stars for the inner right ankle bone, and that thin vine circling my left ankle bone. Minimalist junk, you know?
Finding the Spot & Pain Chat
Called up the shop I usually go to – shoutout to my guy Dave, been doing my ink for years. Knows I’m a wuss. Told him the plan: “Feet and ankles, Dave. Stars and a vine. Tiny.” His exact words? “Man, that spot’s spicy. Gonna suck, but we’ll get through it.” Took his word for it. Booked the slot.
Showtime & Feeling the Burn
Show up yesterday afternoon. Dave’s got the stencils ready. He sticks ’em on first to make sure I like the placement. Right ankle bone for the stars? Perfect. Left ankle bone for the vine? Perfect. Easy. Lays me back in the chair. Cleans the spots – cold wipe, always a shock. And then… needle hits skin.
Okay, let me be real: The ankle bone? Absolute FIRE. Like, instantly. Thought I was ready. Was not ready. That first star outline felt like getting stabbed with a hot, vibrating fork directly onto the bone. Sharp, deep, and buzzy all at once. My foot did this involuntary jerk. Dave just laughed, “Told ya!” Had to consciously relax my leg, focus on breathing. Like really focus. Inhale, exhale. Try not to tense up the whole leg, which makes it way worse. The vine wrapping the other ankle? Different kind of ouch. More of a grinding, scraping sensation right over the bone ridge, mixed with hot prickles. Could feel every millimeter the needle traveled.
The spots not on the actual bony knob? Weirdly okay. Like near the tendon on the inner ankle? A dull ache, totally manageable. But those bones? Yeah, no joke. Was gripping the chair arm like my life depended on it.
Getting Through It
Honestly? Talking nonsense helped. About the weather, the shop gossip, anything but the pain. Maybe five minutes into the vine, it kinda numbed out a bit? Or maybe I just dissociated. Just zoned out staring at the ceiling tiles. Kept reminding myself: it’s tiny, it’ll be over soon, it’ll look cute. Dave worked fast, which I appreciated. Felt like an eternity while it was happening, but probably took less than 30 minutes total for both. Lotion, bandage – cling film over each one.
Post-Ink & Healing Starts
Paid Dave, tipped extra for putting up with my grimacing. Walked out feeling… sore but buzzed. Adrenaline wore off quick though. By evening, felt like serious bruising + sunburn localized on those ankle knobs. Throbbing started. Could feel my heartbeat right there.
Unwrapped the cling film after a few hours (like Dave said), washed gently with warm water and mild soap – super careful, pat dry. Left them open to air. First night? Slept like crap. Turned over, foot barely brushed the sheet? Instant sting. Woke up multiple times. Leg propped on a pillow helped a tiny bit.
Woke up this morning. Still tender, definite pinkness and very slight swelling around the lines. Walking? Yeah, can feel it. Kinda tight, pulling sensation with each step. Got my fragrance-free lotion ready to dab on lightly later when they feel drier. Already itching a tiny bit – hate the itchy phase!
Bottom Line?
They look adorable. Exactly what I pictured. But man, that pain was legit, especially right on those bony bits. Worse than my forearm or shoulder pieces, by a mile. Healing seems straightforward so far, just gotta baby ’em – no tight shoes for a while, keep ’em clean. Was it worth it? Totally. Would I do it again? Ask me in a month when the memory fades. Ask Dave, he’ll say I whimpered like a puppy. Probably true. Brutal spot, beautiful result.
