In her book "Hunger," Roxane Gay reflects on the experience of getting a tattoo, emphasizing the commitment it requires. She highlights that the pain associated with tattooing is something one must accept fully, as it leads to a permanent transformation of the body—a process that cannot be undone. This permanence is significant because it represents a choice to embrace suffering for the sake of personal expression and identity.

Gay notes that enduring this physical discomfort may ultimately make one feel more at home in their own body. By surrendering to the process of tattooing, individuals not only alter their appearance but also engage in a deeper relationship with themselves. The pain, in this sense, becomes a crucial step towards self-acceptance and authenticity, reinforcing the idea that such transformations, though painful, can lead to a greater sense of ownership over one's body and identity.