10 Things That Were Once Taboo But Are Now Perfectly Acceptable (2 of 6)

2. Seeking mental therapy

Until relatively recently, there was this idea that if you sought advice from a psychologist or licensed therapist, it meant you were “crazy.” Who knows, upon discovering you were seeking mental health, your friends might have hidden their plastic butter knives because they didn’t know what you were capable of when you paid them a visit but didn’t want to take their chances. Fortunately, we now understand that we don’t need to cope with the stresses of life on our own; 60 million adults in the U.S. seek therapy to help them grow as a person and to understand themselves more deeply.

3. Having Tattoos (And Not Being Judged for Them)

Tattoos were treated as flashing warning signs: you’d never land a “respectable” job, you’d be dismissed as unprofessional, or worse, people would assume you’d just walked out of a prison yard. Employers viewed body art as a character flaw, something that hinted at rebellion, instability, or a past you were trying to hide. Even small, meaningful designs were enough to get you side-eyed at interviews, family gatherings, and pretty much anywhere outside a tattoo studio.

Fast-forward to today, and the cultural script has completely flipped. Tattoos are now mainstream, expressive, and widely accepted across industries—from creative arts to corporate offices. A sleeve might spark conversation instead of suspicion, and a delicate wrist tattoo may be seen as personal storytelling rather than a career liability. People proudly display symbols of their identity, memories, and passions without fear of being misunderstood.