Self expression has drastically gone down, especially in schools. Dressing up now feels embarrassing or like you’re doing too much. There is no problem with wanting to be comfy while you’re in the school building but there is a fine line between comfortability and just overall trends. In school you will see the same outfit on 10 different people. Dressing up is now viewed as a chore and not a way to express yourself.
Most will use the excuse “it’s school, no one cares.” But it’s not just about school. It’s about learning who you are by trying different styles – whether it’s your makeup, outfit, hair and even music. Take risks when trying to figure who you are and what you like.
Most people don’t find the importance of standing out or liking different things. Everyone has been hypnotized into falling for the “clean girl comfy aesthetic.” There’s nothing wrong with liking stuff like that, but it feels like people don’t want to try new things.
They see what the internet is doing and what the internet is into and they craft they’re personality based on what the internet deems as “cute” or “fashionable.” Social media loves to create new trends and tell you what’s in or out. No one tries anymore. It’s all about comfortability and “just to make it through the day.” This may also just have something to do with location. Certain outfits that are normal in the city, aren’t normal for smaller towns or the suburbs. Just because you live somewhere where people may dress more casual and like more casual things doesn’t mean you have to conform to the casual.
Try new things. Meet new people. Be curious. Learn who you are and what you’re into. It’s 2026, at this point anything goes.
You don’t want to live most of your life knowing that you never truly tried finding out who you are – whether that has to do with what you believe in, what your interests are or what your style is. It’s never too late to leave the box and try doing something that will make your soul truly happy. And if you’re perfectly content with who you are and what you like, congrats, you’ve gotten much further than most.
Never be afraid to go against the grain. It will be beneficial for you in the long run.
