What Happens When Your Tattoo Artist Gets Sick?

One thing people don't always think about is that tattoo artists get sick too.

When you have an office job, calling in sick usually means sending an email or making a phone call. When you're a tattoo artist, calling in sick means disappointing someone who has often been looking forward to their appointment for weeks or even months.

If you've been tattooed by me for any length of time, you've probably noticed something: I rarely cancel.

Honestly... maybe a little too rarely.

Back in March, I ended up spending five days in the hospital. Looking back, I laugh because I was still trying to convince myself I could make it to work before finally admitting I needed to go. It's probably proof that I'm a bit of a workaholic.

I love what I do, and I genuinely look forward to seeing my clients every day. But over the last year I've also realized that loving your work doesn't mean ignoring your health.

That's one of the reasons I've started leaving more flexibility in my schedule.

Instead of booking every available day months in advance, I've been trying to build in "buffer" days. Most of the time those days become drawing days, painting days, cleaning days, or just a chance to catch my breath. But if I wake up sick, they're there so I don't have to cancel appointments at the last minute.

This week was actually a perfect example.

I'm fighting an ear infection. It isn't anything too serious, but it's enough that my body is telling me to slow down. By coincidence, the appointments I had scheduled ended up canceling on their own.

Instead of forcing myself through a full day of tattooing, I'm taking the opportunity to rest. I'll still stop by the studio for a little while today, but I'm finally trying to listen to my body instead of pretending I'm invincible.

I think that's something a lot of small business owners struggle with.

When you work for yourself, taking a day off can feel impossible. There isn't anyone to cover your shift. Every canceled appointment affects your income, and every client has been looking forward to their tattoo. It's easy to convince yourself to just push through.

For years, that's exactly what I did.

But I've learned that taking care of myself is also taking care of my clients.

When I'm healthy, I can give every tattoo my full attention, steady hands, creative energy, and the patience each piece deserves. That's the experience I want every person who sits in my chair to have.

So if I ever have to reschedule because I'm sick, know that it isn't a decision I make lightly. In more than twenty years of tattooing, it's happened very few times.

Being reliable doesn't mean never getting sick.

It means planning ahead, leaving room in the schedule when I can, and making sure that when you come in for your appointment, you're getting the best version of me.

Maybe that's the lesson this workaholic is finally starting to learn.