HW 32 - Tattoos & The Presentation of the Self

What is the relationship between the body and mind? I don't believe my body is on loan from god, and if it is I doubt he'll want it back. My body is the physical representation of Samantha Kaplan, no matter how much it changes. My appearance has changed greatly over the years; I got taller, I lost weight, ect. and yet I am still recognizable. Around age 11 I decided I wanted some say in my physical appearance, so I dyed my hair. Being able to change aspects of my body made me look at the body I hated in a completely new way. It was no longer a curse that I had to hide, but a canvas. Tattooing, plastic surgery, hair dye- these are all just tools available to create the body I want.
I can only speak for myself, but the search for a "cool" appearance is much like the hero's journey archetype. We start with our bodies in their original form, just a mass of organic material. When we develop a sense of self awareness, this can feel boring, and thus the journey to invent ourselves begins. "The hero starts off in a mundane situation of normality from which some information is received that acts as a call to head off into the unknown (wikipedia.com)." The information is awareness of both ourselves and the possibilities our world offers. For example, a young girl may one day notice that she has a large nose and desperately want to change it. She knows that her large nose is not considered classically beautiful, and will limit her possibilities in life. Fortunately, she does not have to be stuck with the face she was born with. She can take control of her body by making the decision to get a nose job.

All efforts made to change one's look take time and energy, and can often be painful. I have a strong "no pain, no gain" mentality when altering my appearance. The harder the struggle to achieve my goals, the better the story and eventually a more gratifying result. I recently bought myself a rather expensive christmas gift. They have about a 5 inch heel and a steep incline, but no matter how uncomfortable they are I'm going to rock them. To some, these are just an impractical waste of money, but I get more out of them than sore feet. Being able to afford and walk in them and being taller are all things that give me a sense of power, and achieving that despite the pain they cause make me feel that much stronger. There is also an element of danger and mystery that grabs the attention of others. "How does she walk in those?! She's gonna twist an ankle." By using the tools available we not only have more control over our appearance, but the possibilities life has to offer and the value of the process. In the words of RuPaul, "You're born naked, the rest is drag."