When you walk down the hallway, look down and try to pay attention to what kinds of water bottles everyone carries. You’ll notice that you see all kinds of different patterns, brands, stickers, and decorations. Much like the people carrying them, all of these water bottles are unique in their own ways. So, what does each water bottle say about their carrier?
Reusable water bottles haven’t always been popular. In recent years, social media has made brands like Owala, Hydro flask, Stanley’s, Yeti, Camelbak, Takeya and Nike incredibly popular. “The latest data shows that 60% of US adults own a reusable water bottle in 2024,” states one source. This trend has been incredibly beneficial to the environment and to people’s health. It not only reduces the amount of plastic waste used daily, but also encourages people to drink more water.
I observed many of the water bottles people were using in school, and there were a few noticeable trends. I noticed that most of the people who carried reusable water bottles were athletes. In particular, I saw more females than males with water bottles. However, the most interesting trend that I noticed was how players in certain sports all had similar water bottles. On the field hockey team, everyone had light or pastel colored bottles like blues or whites with a few outliers. The team with the most creative bottles was the softball team, where there wasn’t one water bottle that was like the other. They all had stickers and decorations, or even custom patterns.
I spoke to players from different sports about the decorations on their water bottles and this is what they had to say:
Hayley Heffelfinger, senior goalie of the field hockey team said, “I have a ‘make heaven crowded’ sticker and a ‘God is madly in love with you’ sticker. I think it reflects me because I’m not only religious, but I also try to see the good in everyone, just as God does. I also have a yellow flower sticker because yellow is my favorite color since it reminds me of the sun and happiness.” Hayley is kind person and is passionate about her religion, which her water bottle lets her express.
Tess Wenger, a junior on the softball team said, “I have a lot of stickers. I have one from Niagara Falls, one from Acadia National Park when I went on a Girl Scout trip and almost got eaten by a bear, I have a sticker that says be kind of every kind because not enough people are nice to each other in this world, I have a sticker for Blue Mountain…, and I have one from Bethany Beach, which is where I go almost every summer since I’ve been born. It’s my favorite place in the world. My bracelets hanging off my water bottle are all from finding out what helps me when I’m having a rough day, I begin to make bracelets and create something beautiful while releasing my stress.” Tess is an adventurous and creative person, her water bottle demonstrates that perfectly. It has souvenir stickers from all the places she has visited on her travels and the bracelets that show her artistic skill.
Sophomore Cassidy Ash of the softball team has a Stanley with floral patterns (pictured on the right). “I picked that pattern because it’s cute and unique and I hate boring water bottles,” Cassidy mentioned. Her very kind and caring nature is expressed through her light-hearted water bottle.
Even if you didn’t choose the designs or colors on your bottle on purpose. Subconsciously your water bottle can be a deep reflection on who you are. It could be a reflection on your personal style, your habits and even your values.
No design: maybe you like a more minimalist look, you don’t want to add stickers or decorations. Just keeping it plain and simple is all you need!
Custom design: a logo from your favorite team, a cute design you think is fun, or possibly even something you painted yourself. Its uniquely yours it shows off your passions and it’s something you went out of your way to choose.
Stickers: they can show so much. They can be from places you’ve been, brands you like, characters you like and even topics you’re passionate about. This kind of water bottle shows the journey you’ve been through, or maybe it’s just random stickers you found laying around.
Reusable water bottles are a very fun way for people to express themselves while also encouraging good hydration habits. This seemingly mundane everyday object that is often overlooked can be a subtle expression of your inner personality. Next time you’re drinking out of your water bottle, think about what kind of bottle you using and what it says about your personality. It may fascinate you!
