Gen Z and Millennials: Leading the Way in Individual Expression

Last updated: February 3, 2026

Individual expression has been an important part of youth culture for years. But for Gen Z and millennials, it has become even more visible because we live in a time of social media, personal branding, and a world where you can present yourself in new ways every single day.

That has two sides. On the one hand, it offers freedom: you can share your style, opinions, and interests, and find people who feel right for you. On the other hand, it can also create pressure: who am I supposed to be, what do other people think, and am I doing it right?

For Like Charlie, individual expression is not about being perfect or standing out. It is about listening to yourself. Choosing what fits you. And taking your mental health more seriously by staying true to who you are.

Read our story and find out who Charlie is:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/pages/het-verhaal

Why self expression is also connected to mental health

If you often present yourself differently from how you really feel, that takes energy. If you keep adjusting yourself just to fit in, it can strengthen insecurity and stress over time.

Research shows that authentic expression is linked to greater autonomy and better wellbeing, while inauthentic expression is more often linked to lower autonomy and more negative emotions.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656622000046

That does not mean you have to share everything all the time or always be fully yourself in every environment. It does mean that it helps when your choices are more often in line with your values.

Where you can see individual expression in Gen Z and millennials

1) In fashion and style

You increasingly see that traditional rules matter less. Many people mix styles, wear vintage, choose statement pieces, or go for comfort and simplicity. Second hand and vintage fashion are also growing strongly, partly because they feel unique and fit a personal style. The ThredUp Resale Report 2025 highlights the growth of the global second hand market and the role younger generations play in it.
https://cf-assets-tup.thredup.com/resale_report/2025/ThredUp_Resale_Report_2025.pdf

2) In online identity

Social media can be a stage for creativity and community, but also a place where comparison and pressure grow. Trimbos emphasises that the impact of social media on wellbeing is not the same for everyone, and that factors such as sensitivity, environment, and the type of platform all play a role.
https://www.trimbos.nl/kennis/digitale-media-gokken/expertisecentrum-digitalisering-en-welzijn/sociale-media-en-welzijn/
https://www.trimbos.nl/actueel/nieuws/de-impact-van-sociale-media-op-het-welzijn-is-niet-voor-alle-jongeren-hetzelfde/

3) In activism and values

Many young people use their voice, online as well, to raise awareness around issues such as climate, equality, and mental health. Pew Research, for example, describes how Gen Z and millennials stand out in climate related activism and social media engagement around the issue.
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/05/26/gen-z-millennials-stand-out-for-climate-change-activism-social-media-engagement-with-issue/

From self expression to self confidence: how to make it practical

Here are 6 ways to express yourself more without draining your energy.

1) Make a values list

Write down 10 values that matter to you, then choose 5. Examples: honesty, freedom, peace, creativity, connection, growth.
If you are unsure, ask yourself: does this fit my values, or my fear of needing to belong?

2) Choose your form of expression

Not everyone needs to post a lot or be highly visible. Expression can also look like making music, exercising, writing, humour, cooking, clothing, setting boundaries, or honestly saying how you feel.

3) Be more intentional with your online environment

Your feed is also part of your environment.
Mute accounts that make you feel insecure. Follow accounts that feel more honest, calmer, or more helpful.

4) Practise with small choices

Small choices build confidence.
Wear something that makes you feel good, even if it is not “the norm.”
Say no once to something that does not fit you.
Share one thought you genuinely believe, without exaggerating it.

5) Set boundaries around personal branding

You do not always have to be available. You do not always have to create content. You do not have to have an opinion on everything. Boundaries are part of being yourself.

6) Check the difference between what is real and what is performance

A simple question that helps:
Am I doing this because I want to, or because I want to be seen?

Both can be human, but they feel different.

What this has to do with Like Charlie

Like Charlie uses story prints to make mental health easier to talk about and to encourage open conversations. Self expression is not the goal in itself, but a way to stay closer to who you are.

View all story print T shirts:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/t-shirts

Discover the question card game to make real conversations easier:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/vragenspellen

In closing

Individual expression is not about being unique just for the sake of it. It is about living honestly, with choices that fit who you are. Sometimes that means being visible. Sometimes it means taking rest, reducing stimulation, and staying closer to yourself.

It can Like Charlie.

FAQ about individual expression

Do I always need to fully express myself to be authentic?

No. Being authentic mainly means that you are not consistently going against yourself. You can choose what you share and who you share it with.

Does self expression really help mental health?

For many people, yes, especially when it feels authentic and not like an obligation. Research links authentic expression to better wellbeing.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656622000046

What if social media makes me feel insecure?

Be more intentional with your feed, turn off notifications, and choose fixed moments to check your apps. Trimbos offers helpful explanations about how the effects of social media differ from person to person.
https://www.trimbos.nl/kennis/digitale-media-gokken/expertisecentrum-digitalisering-en-welzijn/sociale-media-en-welzijn/

Where can I find help if I am not feeling well mentally?

Young people: https://www.injebol.nl/
Adults: https://mindhulplijn.nl/
General overview of mental health complaints: https://www.thuisarts.nl/onderwerpen/psychische-klachten

Sources

Authentic expression and wellbeing, research overview (2022)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092656622000046

Trimbos, social media and wellbeing
https://www.trimbos.nl/kennis/digitale-media-gokken/expertisecentrum-digitalisering-en-welzijn/sociale-media-en-welzijn/
https://www.trimbos.nl/actueel/nieuws/de-impact-van-sociale-media-op-het-welzijn-is-niet-voor-alle-jongeren-hetzelfde/

Pew Research, Gen Z and millennials in climate activism and social media engagement
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/05/26/gen-z-millennials-stand-out-for-climate-change-activism-social-media-engagement-with-issue/

ThredUp Resale Report 2025, growth of the second hand market
https://cf-assets-tup.thredup.com/resale_report/2025/ThredUp_Resale_Report_2025.pdf