At 15, I made decisions that felt empowering but later came to regret—like getting a spider tattoo on my head. The tattoos symbolized rebellion and identity, yet by 17, they became obstacles to my future. My journey of tattoo removal taught me about the complexities of adolescent autonomy and regret. Reflecting on Oregon’s policy that allows 15-year-olds to access gender-affirming surgeries without parental consent, I see parallels in the challenges of maturity, impulsiveness, and long-term consequences. This paradox highlights the need for thoughtful policies balancing autonomy with protection for youth navigating formative decisions.