Many people turn to body modifications like tattoos to express their individuality, creativity, or personal journey. But not everyone starts out embracing this form of self-expression. For 56-year-old Kerstin Tristan, it wasn’t until 2015 that she completely transformed her views — and ultimately, her life.

Kerstin, a mother and grandmother from Germany, didn’t always love tattoos. In fact, she admitted that for most of her life, she actively disliked them.