One way to express your self is to wear different colored socks. You are saying that you don’t feel the need to follow the norm, the crowd or good fashion. If someone tease you tell them they’re a, “conformist with no courage to stand out and be independent.” Then make a mental note to turn the light on when you get dressed.

Another way is to never wash your car. First off, if you do it once you have to keep doing it. Don’t start it in the first place. Express you independence. Wash the car and next you’ll be expected to wax it. Then comes cleaning all the fast food containers from the back seat. It’s a slippery slope. Avoid starting down that path.

Tell your date you are a firm believer in gender equality. You wouldn’t even think to insult her by offering to pay for her meal or ticket. “I respect you too much to belittle you that way.” Later you can belittle her by putting the moves on her. You only take respect so far. You won’t get very far but it’s the thought that counts.

Write a letter to the editor. You know how they love the kooky ones so write it that way. Doesn’t matter that you don’t really think that, “all men are after one thing and only one thing.” Hmm, actually you do believe that. All the evidence you’ve ever seen points to it.

Paint your house purple with green stripes. There’s expressing yourself. It also gives the zoning board a chance to express themselves. It also gives you something to do on Saturday, repainting the house.

Walk your dog with the collar around your neck and the lease in the dog’s mouth. You are announcing that you and the dog have an equal right to exist and on equal terms. The PETA people will love you. Your neighbors will start a petition up about you.

Love cats. Own a couple dozen of them. That’s a real expression that you are different.