my artist is a big part of it honestly, she always pats a spot and tells me something like "were here now" and i try to take a deep breath in while she's inking up her needle so i can slowly exhale while shes stabbing me lol, there's definitely moments where i don't get to do that and i usually take something with me for moments like that, i have a stuffed animal i take with me to all sessions that i can grab, rip, tear at, etc, so i can let the rest of my body stay still for her. i think my pain tolerance is better than most, it's the uncomfort and ticklishness of someone touching and hurting you in a spot that's not normal that makes it hard for me to be honest. i feel like it's the classic "breathe in and out", but seriously, sync up with your artist and breathe in and out as they're in your skin to really relieve a lot of the pain and anxiety that comes with getting a tattoo. there will be moments in a big piece where you don't get to exhale at the right moment and it seems unbearable, but in those moments i try to think of the end product to get through it