Trust the Process – In Art, Healing, and Life
I started my day today in the usual way. Got up at 05:30, read my daily devotional, then started drawing for Artist Hour. Today’s subject was a Reaper. The reaper is a classic subject in tattooing—bold lines, heavy contrast, and a symbol that can mean everything from respect for mortality to personal strength in the face of challenges. Nothing very difficult, so I had fun with it.
While working on the piece, I couldn’t help but think about another assignment I gave myself recently: showing up for an appointment at the VA with a psych doctor. After my sketch I headed out for my VA appointment.
I’ll be honest—it wasn’t easy. Opening up about personal struggles, especially in a room with someone I’ve just met, felt a lot like staring at a blank canvas. The weight of not knowing how it would turn out made me want to shut down. But I reminded myself of something I’ve learned both in tattooing and in life: you have to trust the process. I met with the doctor and the decision to share all the details of what I am dealing with, from my multiple deployments and time as a first responder, instead of telling her everything was fine.
It was difficult, painful, and by the end I was in a full sweat and holding back tears. I thought maybe I scared her, but she just said “wow” and then thanked me for opening up. She did not offer me any treatment of advice. She just listened. It was as if she had taken a weight off my shoulders. It is strange how just being able to share tough things with someone you can trust can be so uplifting. It is like you no longer have to carry it alone. I am not suggesting you go find the first person you know and dump all your stuff on them. But sometimes seeking help from a professional can really do just that, help.
Just like a tattoo doesn’t come together in one stroke, healing doesn’t happen in one session. It’s about consistency, patience, and being willing to let someone guide you who has the experience to help. That takes trust—and trust isn’t easy. We must trust that even if it feels uncomfortable at first, the process leads to growth. It might not be easy, but the results can change everything.
That’s the same approach I bring into my work at Honor and Ink. Every tattoo is a process: from the first consultation to the last wipe down, it’s about building trust and letting the art unfold the way it should.
I ended the day with the first drawing for the Inktober 2025 challenge, which was anything that had to do with a mustache. I drew my favorite character from Action Figure Therapy. It is not supposed to be a masterpiece, just a fun drawing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.