SELF-EXPRESSION

I am free.

In my experience, being free means being able to express yourself through your thoughts and emotions, and to love who or what you want. Growing up, I was told to not be myself—I was told I shouldn’t be expressing my emotions, shouldn’t cry or seem “weak”, implying that I wasn’t “normal”. This piece reflects who I am  because being able to be myself allows me to live my most fulfilling life through my emotions, my ideas, and my values.

After viewing this piece, I hope my audience thinks and looks deeply to the left side, the side that isn’t free. It may seem the person is smiling and happy but he isn’t. He is trying to smile, but is filled with uncertainty while  holding back the tears because he isn’t being himself. He puts a “mask”, pretending to be someone else,  as if to disregard how incomplete he is. It’s important to know that being yourself, you don’t have to put on a “mask” or pretend to be someone you are not. Being yourself you will be able to express your emotions, ideas, and thoughts, and to love what and who you want.