9! 💖

9- Something you feel you need to say

🌸 Ooo this is a good one! I think this just means like in general to others!

In that case, I want to tell others that its ok to be themselves!

Seriously, speaking from personal experience, embracing yourself and the things you love (as long as you're not hurting anyone) will really improve your life and make you feel happier overall! Wear that clothing style you've been admiring! Be more open about that tv show you love! I know its difficult, but accepting yourself for who you are and what you love and are interested in without fear of judgement, heck even if you're scared and push through to express yourself anyway, is super beneficial and makes you feel better about yourself! Cringe culture is dead baby! Wear your ears and tails! Buy those anime posters! Join that dnd group! Dress like you belong on myspace! As long as you dont hurt anyone, its no one else's business to tell you to stop doing what makes you happy! And, who knows, maybe your confidence will inspire others to do the same!

There's a quote I like, from the book "So Pretty Very Rotten" by Jane Mai and An Nguyen, "Don't you think there's a kind of power in so plainly announcing the things you like?" And I think this kind of captures what I mean! Giving yourself the freedom to be yourself and outwardly express your interests really gives you the power to well, be yourself and shape yourself to be the person you want to be!

This further extends to not only interests, but to things like gender and sexuality. No one, ever, should make you feel ashamed for being LGBTQ+. I know thats not the reality we currently live in, though. But, if its safe for you to do so, please, dont be scared to be yourself and be open about who you love and who you are! For my fellow trans people too, expressing yourself is super beneficial, especially mentally. From small things like wearing different clothes, or even just wearing a pin with the trans colors, to big things like surgeries, they are all steps in a positive direction! And no matter what you are able to do outwardly, even if you can't do any of this, it doesn't make you any less of who you are!

🌸Oof, this got long!! Thank you so much for the ask!!! Personal expression is a very passionate topic for me lol! Seriously though, dont be afraid to be yourself!!! It really does make you happier and have an overall more positive outlook on yourself!