Self-expression is the artistic expression of one’s thoughts through appearance. Expressing yourself can help you reflect on your life, feelings, relationships, beliefs, and thoughts rather than keeping them buried deep down. Expressing yourself plays a crucial role in a positive and healthy lifestyle. A major conversation topic in recent years has been regarding if there should or shouldn’t be restrictions on self-expression.

While self-expression plays a crucial role in learning about our identities, it also has many positive effects on mental health. According to American Psychological Association,“Self-expression is a notion that is closely associated with a horde of positive concepts, such as freedom, creativity, style, courage, self-assurance, healing and spirituality. The freedom of expression symbolizes one’s ultimate freedom to be oneself.”

Although many agree with this viewpoint, many also strongly believe that self-expression is unnecessary and doesn’t improve lifes value at all. “The Irony of Self-Expression” by Joseph Tobin is a great example of the opposing argument. Tobin believes in the deconstruction of self-expression, arguing that self-expression is a confusing concept that is internally inconsistent. Tobins argument could easily make sense to the common eye; however, humans in general are internally inconsistent. Our thoughts and feelings are constantly changing and it’s in our nature to grow and change, so why can’t our appearances change with us.

Senior Taylor Bouley conveys their great appreciation for self-expression when she says, “Personally, self expression is a tool I have used my whole life. I love changing my hair, my makeup, my clothes… It all tells a story when you look hard enough, my story. I plan to continuously use this amazing tool for the rest of my life.”

Expressing yourself through your appearance provides an endless amount of positive benefits for different types of people all across the globe. Self-expression helps you reflect on your life, feelings, relationships, beliefs, and thoughts in a creative and healthy way. Self-expression helps promote a positive and healthy lifestyle.