8 Awesome Ways Tattoo Ideas And Designs With Meaning

Nurture optimistic thoughts and see the good in everything with a modest Ways tattoo.

Reviewed by Ruslan Millinhton, Tattoo Artist Ruslan Millinhton Ruslan MillinhtonTattoo Artist facebook_iconyoutube_iconinsta_icon
Written by , MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
Edited by , BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by , MA Gracia Odile MA linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Last Updated on

W.A.Y.S, an acronym for ‘Why Aren’t You Smiling’, is an appealing phrase and a constant reminder to find happiness and positivity even in the darkest times. This message of resilience has inspired body art enthusiasts to get W.A.Y.S Tattoos. These impactful tattoos inspire us to trust our instincts and look for the good in every situation. Usually etched in deep black and red inks, you can also ask your artist to sketch it with other colors to add vibrancy to the tattoo. Explore 8 simple W.A.Y.S tattoos, with their meanings, in this article. Scroll down to read more now!

Meaning Of W.A.Y.S Tattoo

Why Aren’t You Smiling tattoos gently remind the wearers to smile and embrace life’s happy moments. These artworks carry a poignant message that dictates the wearer to question anything and everything that disrupts their joyous moments. They ask one to focus on the brighter side and develop an optimistic attitude. People who etch this tattoo prioritize their mental well-being and value resilience. W.A.Y.S can also stand for other phrases depending on the wearer. Some common alternative interpretations are-

  • We Are Your Strength- These artworks represent the constant support and motivation the wearer gets from their family and friends.
  • Where Are You Standing- They inspire the wearer to develop mindfulness and remain aware of their surroundings.
  • What Are You Seeking- This interpretation propels the wearer to introspect and discover their yearnings. These tattoos encourage the wearer to strive harder to fulfill their goals in life.

Ways tattoos are among the popular in-trend contemporary tattoo designs. From simple, just the acronym tattoos to elegant motifs surrounding W.A.Y.S. we have listed 8 ideas below. Scroll down to find them.

8 Spectacular W.A.Y.S Tattoos

Dive in to discover the vivid meanings of the Ways artwork. Whether you want the tattoo on the hand, neck, or face, we have them all on our list below. Check out the designs.

1. Minimalist W.A.Y.S. Tattoo With Butterfly

Minimalist W.A.Y.S tattoo with a butterfly on the upper arm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo features a beautiful butterfly above the acronym ‘W.A.Y.S’. Etched with deep black ink, the tattoo looks prominent. Butterflies are symbols of development and change. They undergo a metamorphosis after birth and get stronger and more beautiful. Together with the W.A.Y.S, this tattoo indicates a journey from difficult times to a state of joy and positivity. It reminds the wearer to leave behind negative thoughts and past hardships.

2. Acronym W.A.Y.S Tattoo with Butterfly

Acronym W.A.Y.S Tattoo with a butterfly on the upper arm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo features a colorful butterfly etched in an illustrative fashion. The words ‘Why Aren’t You Smiling’ below represent the wearer’s positive outlook in life. It showcases that they are hopeful of brighter moments. The butterfly above suggests renewal and transformative beauty. Together, they suggest an expectation for a joyful life. This artwork reminds the wearer to embrace psychological growth and gain a fulfilling life.

3. W. A.Y.S Acronym Tattoo

W.A.Y.S acronym tattoo on the shoulder
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo features the words ‘Why Aren’t You Smiling’ in lowercase fonts. It suggests resilience in the face of adversity. The words kindle the wearer to reflect on their life and relive the joyous moments. With this tattoo, the wearer is reminded to prioritize their emotional happiness and mental well-being. This will in a way contribute to their positive development.

4. WAYS Tattoo Behind The Ear

Ways tattoo on the back of the ear
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The Ways tattoo behind the ear embodies a personal meaning. The back of the ear is a private space not quite visible. This tattoo can serve as a subtle, daily reminder for the wearer to maintain a positive attitude. It reflects the wearer’s inner strength. The artwork motivates them to continue smiling even in hard times.

5. WAYS Tattoo On The Arm

Ways tattoo on the forearm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo is positioned on a more visible part of the body. It frequently reminds the wearer to think optimistically and find reasons to smile. Arms are often associated with strength, so the W.A.Y.S tattoo on the forearm represents the wearer’s decision to choose happiness over anything else. It suggests their supreme mental strength to overcome obstacles.

6. W. A.Y.S Tattoo On Hand

Ways tattoo on a man’s hand
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This hand tattoo reflects the wearer’s commitment to live happily always. It is easily visible, allowing the wearer to remind themselves of their life mantra. It encourages the wearer to make a proactive effort to maintain a happy state. The bold letters are etched with deep black ink. It looks striking on the hand.

7. W. A.Y.S Tattoo On Face

Ways tattoo on a woman’s face
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo on the face represents the wearer’s unwavering commitment to its message. It showcases that they prioritize happiness no matter what. The design may serve as a strong public statement that they are dedicated to building a life full of joy. Besides, this face tattoo can also act as a way for the wearer to motivate others to embrace a life filled with happiness.

8. W. A.Y.S Tattoo On Neck

Ways tattoo on the neck
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

This tattoo features the acronym W.A.Y.S in bold black ink. Its neck positioning allows the wearer to flaunt it at will. It suggests a bold declaration of the wearer to remain gay and satisfied. The neck is the connector between the mind and heart, therefore this tattoo on the neck can indicate the significance of connecting happy thoughts with positive emotions.

If you want to embrace a life full of positive thoughts and happy moments, a Ways tattoo in contemporary lines is the perfect artwork option for you. However, the world of contemporary tattoo designs is vast and ever-evolving, so you can always look for more options that can help you modify your Ways tattoo further. This simple lettering artwork carries profound meaning. It inspires the wearers to focus on the good and leave out the rest. The letters can be sketched on their own or adorned with delicate motifs like butterflies and flowers to emphasize the meaning. You can imprint it on your arms, neck, and legs if you want to hide it at times. However, consider placing it on your hand and face if you plan to flaunt it always. Scroll up to find 8 ways tattoo ideas for inspiration.

Was this article helpful?
thumbsupthumbsdown
disqus_comment

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.

Ruslan Millinhton
Ruslan MillinhtonTattoo Artist
Ruslan Millinhton has been tattooing since 2015. While he is originally from the city of Sumy in Ukraine, he now spends most of his time in Charlotte, NC, USA. He has been doing tattoos for over 10 years. He primarily works in color and black & gray realism.

Read full bio of Ruslan Millinhton
Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

Read full bio of Joyce Joyson
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Gracia Odile
Gracia OdileBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Gracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Stephen's College, a master's in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU.

Read full bio of Gracia Odile