A tattoo is a fun and exciting way to celebrate the things you like, immortalize memories, and get creative. There are even people who get their partner’s name or face as a way to symbolize their love, but this grand gesture can sometimes go terribly wrong.
One woman found this out the hard way after getting a couple’s tattoo with her boyfriend and later finding out his ex has the same symbols. This shocking situation made her feel insecure and regretful because she was stuck with the consequences of her impulsive decision.
More info: Reddit
People tend to get swept away by the intense emotions they feel at the start of relationships, which can sometimes lead to bad decisions
Image credits: namii9 / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster shared that she had been working on her insecurity and jealousy in past relationships and had finally reached a place of healing
Image credits: Andrej Lišakov / Unsplash (not the actual photo)
When she met her current boyfriend, even though he had a kid with his ex, she went ahead with the relationship, and they ended up getting a couple’s tattoo
Image credits: stefamerpik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The man suggested what tattoo they should get, but only later did the poster realize that she got the same symbols that his ex had
Image credits: Unlucky_Pop_7347
The woman began feeling extremely insecure and jealous all over again because having the same tattoo as his ex made her feel like “version 2.0”
The poster shared that when she previously dated, she had struggled with feelings of jealousy and insecurity over her partner’s past relationships. This obsession of hers led her to spiral out of control to the point where she kept comparing herself to other women and turned everything into a fight.
When people feel envious or keep comparing themselves to their loved one’s previous partners, it might be a form of retroactive jealousy. According to research, folks with low self-esteem, insecure attachment styles, or self-doubt might find it hard to move on from their partner’s past romantic connections.
The poster had definitely struggled with her own self-worth, which is why, when she realized that retroactive jealousy was taking hold of her, she decided to work on it. With regular therapy and focus, she reached a point of healing and was able to open herself up to her new relationship, which began on a much healthier note.
The only thing is that, within three months of dating, the OP’s boyfriend convinced her to get matching ink with him. Unfortunately, studies do point out that people tend to regret these kinds of couples’ tattoos more than regular designs. The poster was content with her decision until she later found out that her boyfriend’s ex had the same symbols tattooed on her.
Image credits: EyeEm / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The OP only realized that her partner’s ex had the same moon symbol on her finger after meeting her in person. Her boyfriend had clearly kept that information secret when he tried convincing her to get the sun and moon tattoo done. This brought back all of the feelings of jealousy and insecurity that the poster had faced before.
It’s clear that the OP’s boyfriend had tried to manipulate her into getting the same ink as his previous partner, and when she asked him about it, he shrugged it off. This made the woman feel absolutely horrible and like she was just a replica of his last girlfriend.
When it comes to tough situations like this, psychologists advise people to open the lines of communication with their partner and share exactly what is on their mind. Both people might be processing the same situation differently, so clarifying what each of them observed and felt will help bridge the gap between them.
It’s possible that the OP’s partner didn’t think his tattoo idea through and simply liked the sun and moon design enough to suggest it to her. Regardless of his thought process, since the poster decided to ink herself for him, he needs to be honest with her and help alleviate her fears about his past.
What do you feel about the relationship between the OP and her boyfriend, and do you think he purposely made her get the tattoo? Let us know your honest thoughts on this situation.
Folks felt that the woman had made the wrong decision to get inked so soon and that her partner had been extremely manipulative
