Motivation at its Finest

There I was sitting in chemistry minding my own business, when I looked across the table and noticed Kelsey Baker writing on words all over her arm with sharpie. I was kind of confused. I thought, “She must be really bored.” For the rest of the period, I watched her doodle and attempted to read the words she wrote. But for how long can you tilt your neck? Later when we became best friends, I finally asked her about it. She laughed and replied, “Oh, they’re just song lyrics. I have songs stuck in my head all day, and this is one way to get them out.” A few months after becoming friends, Kelsey and I formed an A Cappella group with five other girls. We called ourselves “Sincerely Seven.” Kelsey always picked the songs we sang, and eventually the lyrics of those songs ended up on her arm. None of us ever picked up the habit.

When did you start drawing on yourself?

I started drawing on myself around sophomore year of high school in chemistry class. I always got really bored in chemistry, as you know because you were in the same class as me. Our teacher never made sense, and I always had a sharpie in my bag. So I figured why not.

Yeah, that class wasn’t the best class. What is your favorite thing to draw?

I always love to draw song lyrics on my left arm or hand. I’m a singer and I always have songs stuck in my head. Feel free to call me a human iPod (laughs).

So song lyrics are important to you?

Oh my gosh, yes. They’re the best part of a song. You see, I always listen to my iPod in the morning before I go to class. I try to listen to songs that pump me up and get me excited for the day. Then around lunchtime, I listen to songs that describe my mood. When a song gets stuck in my head, I usually write a lyric on my arm, hand, or wherever. Song lyrics are really inspiring to me.

How are they inspiring?

Lyrics have the power to affect me emotionally. They can make me happy, sad, motivated, etc., and they’re very relatable. Like a good example would be Taylor Swift. Her lyrics literally describe my life. When I find song lyrics relatable and powerful, I bet you a million bucks I write it on myself.  It’s almost like a reflex. I guess that shows you how powerful words can mean to someone.

Do you want everyone to see the song lyrics on your body?

That’s what you would think, right? I mean sure, my friends do notice and grab my arm or hand and read aloud the lyrics. But I don’t really care if anyone sees it or not. It’s a reminder for myself to be happy and confident with myself. I try to not write sad song lyrics on myself because that will just make me more upset. I try to write something motivating.

Why don’t you just get a real tattoo?

Well first, my parents would probably disown me (laughs). Second, a tattoo is permanent. You can never change it and it stays with you until you die. I can’t deal with that. I’m really indecisive. Since I draw on myself with black Sharpie, it comes right off in the shower at night and then I can write something new the next day. I like it better that way.

I bet a lot of people have warned you about writing in Sharpie on your skin.

Oh, yeah. A lot of people have told me it’s dangerous and I could get ink poisoning. This is going to sound bad, but nothing has happened to me yet, so I’m not too worried.

Do you think you’re going to continue to write on yourself for a long time?

I probably will stop doing it when I get out of college. But as of now, I continue to write song lyrics on myself everyday. I just love it.

Kelsey's current favorite motivational song is "Skyscraper" by Demi Lovato. Today (May 5th), she wrote these lyrics from the chorus of the song. "Go on and try to tear me down/I will be rising from the ground."

Kelsey Baker