Writing on the Body: The Stories Beyond What May Meet the Eye
Three students, three stories.
Why do some students choose to write or draw on their own bodies when paper is almost always just as readily available?
It is not uncommon to walk around campus and see students with notes and designs hand-drawn on their body. Ink can be found on one’s palm, arm, leg, or even face. Sometimes these writings are done with a specific purpose, some out of boredom, and others may be completely unintentional from fidgety hands during note taking. However, it almost always says more about the student than meets the eye. I took the initiative to investigate why students wrote, or did not write, on themselves. After talking with about seven students, I found there to be a common trend of three different responses, so I focused on three particular people.
The Scatterbrain
Some people use sticky notes, planners, or cell phone reminders to stay organized. Others write notes on their hands. Shawn is a prime example. “I use my hands for reminders out of convenience. It is always right there and it saves paper!” He raises his right hand and on the back of his palm there is a phone number sloppily written in blue ink. Shawn is convinced that there is no significant meaning behind his scribbled notes on his hands other than the fact that it is the only way he can remember things.
The Perfectionist
Upon asking Katey if she uses her body to write on, she quickly responds saying, “Never! I can’t stand writing on myself. It shows so much disorganization and it just looks like clutter written everywhere.” She strongly believes that notes and drawings and such are meant to be displayed on paper or some other form, but not on your skin. Katey admits to having a preconceived notion of the people who write on themselves as disorganized and lazy.
The Artist
As I approach Rachel, she is quietly drawing, creating a rough, but beautiful piece of a mother and a child. When I ask her if she ever draws or writes on her body, she responds in a smile, “All the time.” She goes on to tell me about how whenever she gets bored she pulls out a pen and starts doodling on her hands and arms. Rachel uses her body as another form of pages from her drawing books. While some of her drawings have no significance at all and are just doodles to pass the time, others are more thought out and have meaning to them. Rachel explains that a lot of the time she does not like to tell people what they mean, as if she uses her drawings as secret code and her arms as her diary.
Whether it is a self-drawn tattoo, a “Call Mom!” reminder, or a hand that is completely ink-free, do not judge the meaning behind it. The only true way to know the purpose or context of the writing is to ask the artist or author. So next time you see someone with something jotted down on their body, ask for their story behind it.
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