Why self-expression matters

Know yourself. Express yourself. More than that, be kind to yourself!

Who we are and how we express ourselves are very important, particularly as students who are still figuring out who we want to become. Self-expression matters, and at IGNITE, we get it.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were uncomfortable expressing yourself and wished you could convey your feelings more clearly and concisely? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The key is being comfortable with who you are while being sensitive to the needs of others.

Explore ways to express yourself

A young girl dancing with the words "Express yourself" in the bottom of the screen. — *Via GIPHY.*

Self-expression is not just a hobby, but also a way to understand yourself, communicate your identity, and build genuine confidence in who you are.

Finding ways to express yourself can help you explore your values and passions. That could be through writing, fashion, music, art, sports or even the way you show up to class every day. Testing helps you discover what makes you feel authentic, embrace your own voice and build a community where you belong.

So take risks and lean into self-expression opportunities that help you grow!

Searching for your self-identity

A girl making the peace sign. — *Via GIPHY.*

We all self-identify in different ways. Many of us have multiple identities all tied into one overarching persona. Who you are around friends, might not be exactly who you are around family.

What matters is that you are true to yourself. Genuinely expressing yourself is more important than ever in a world that is looking to shape you and tell you who to be.

Societal expectations are a powerful force, but blindly conforming to these norms is rarely the right decision.

Of particular note, self-expression in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is so important, but we know it can be challenging. Sometimes, reading about other stories of self-acceptance can help you navigate your journey.

What personality type are you?

A girl is saying, "You can't lie about who you are." — *Via GIPHY.*

What personality type do you fall under? Do you lean towards being quiet and shy or boisterous and engaged? Let’s take a look at some examples of classic personality types that you can find on campus, or indeed, out in the world. Perhaps you’ll even recognize yourself in one of the following categories!

The introvert

An introvert is a person who feels more comfortable focusing on their inner ideas, rather than what’s happening externally. They also, for the most part, enjoy one-to-one interactions as opposed to large groups.

Do you prefer solitude and spending a lot of time alone? This is a hallmark of the introvert. If you are attentive and observant, it probably means you’re a great friend who will listen and give insightful and relevant feedback. That said, introverts do need, and even crave, time to themselves.

The extrovert

Do you find you enjoy being actively engaged with the outside world? Do your friends and family see you as the “social butterfly?” You might just be an extrovert!

The hallmark of this type is outgoingness and engaging with people. Extroverts are often the centre of attention among their friends and almost always have an opinion on a wide array of topics.

Communicating with others

A man is smiling and saying, "Look at you making friends." — *Via GIPHY.*

How do you communicate with others? This is critical to understanding how you express yourself and how you can come off to others.

Some are passive, and a trademark of this style is quietness and difficulty in saying “no.” On the other end of the spectrum, you have more aggressive types who can be forceful, passive-aggressive and domineering.

Most fall somewhere in the middle; ideally, being assertive with how you express yourself — clearly and firmly — without being rude.

Ultimately, it’s best to be honest but respectful. Avoiding conflict, without compromising your principles, will lead to a more effective style of communication.

Drag Your A$$ To School!

In celebration of self-expression, we’re bringing back the Drag Your A$$ To School show! Join IGNITE and @HumberLGBTQ on Sept. 18 at the IGNITE Student Centre, at the North campus, for a jam-packed show. The first 20 students in line will win a special meet-and-greet with the artists — there will also be free snacks!

This event is open to all Humber Polytechnic and University of Guelph-Humber students. Just stop by and watch the jaw-dropping performances led by Manny Dingo, Ivory Towers and Guy Anabella.

See you there!

Feature image courtesy of berenice melis on Unsplash.

Are you feeling particularly proud of yourself? You should! Meet the 2025 IGNITE Pride Scholarship winners!