Lara Ozdemir

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

Well, during the time I got it done, in 2019, I was struggling with addiction and depression. I wanted to remind myself that pain is a lesson of growing - to be better.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

You look at the world and may see some imperfections. That’s what beauty implies. Life is based off of polarity. Pain can be distressing, and that is valid. But if you can push past the discomfort, gaining a different perspective is quite valuable. You can reflect back on your trauma, and see a new eye with it. Honor the lessons you learned during all the hard times. Honoring it by knowing all that you are, who you became to be, is overcoming anything.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I wouldn’t mind spending some on myself, giving myself credit to my strength to keep pushing on. I’m always willing to give back to the world and others, no matter what they’re going through. Money is something I’m blessed to have, but I honestly believe the people around you who make you feel loved and cared about, is what makes someone internally rich.