Nieko Strobel

27, PR MANAGER, FROM OXFORD

My first tattoo was the Gaga Born This Way line, which I had done when I was 18. It was my coming out tattoo. I didn’t really know [ my sexuality] until then when I escaped family life and went to my first gay club.

I’ve added to my tattoos at moments of achievement, such as when I earned my degree.

When I started travelling in Asia I became more comfortable with myself as a gay person, and my tattoos became more spiritual and I’ve slowly converted to Buddhism. They are all based on reassurance and “I’m on the right path” affirmation, accepting that life is full of ups and downs.

I travelled to Kathmandu in Nepal a couple of years ago and spent time in Buddhist monasteries where life is more simple. I got the Tree of Life because it represents the good and the bad, the night and day, and that we all have our lives, but one day we will return to our roots and give back to the earth.

The “om” symbol is at the beginning and end of most prayers in Buddhism and represents an acceptance of something divine out there.

My favourite phrase in life is “I surrender to the universe.” When things get really bad or really good, I remember that it’s out of my control. Above that is the Ensō circle, another Buddhist one, which means imperfection and perfection. A closed circle means you think life is absolutely perfect, an open one is if your life isn’t perfect and you accept it will always be [ that way].