Be Yourself but who am I?

[quirkywords]

I have often been told to just be myself but then I am encouraged to be softer, think less, eat less, worry less, relax more , exercise more, be more confident, less timid, less cautious, more adventurous,less selfish, stop being a people pleaser, be happier, be kinder , ask less questions and the list goes on.

I find this confusing if I am to be myself why must I change?

The other problem is who am I, which self should I be: the introvert, the extrovert, the cautious, the risk-taker, the overthinker, the fast talker, the quiet one, the indecisive one, the spontaneous one, the carefree one, the worried one, the selfish one, the altruistic one, and much more.

Thse two words be yourself seem so easy for many people but not for me as it fills me with many questions.

I will limit myself to two questions .

Can you be yourself without changing?

Is it possible to change/improve a part of yourself and still be yourself?

Quirky

[CMF]

Absolutely understand. I can be like that & I don't like it. I do get over it though. It happens in short bursts.

[quirkywords]

Thanks CMF. It is difficult being oneself  when one is not sure what that is. I can be flexible and change and at other times I resist change, 

[Moonstruck]

How about making a list?   Write down in list form....adjectives that you would use to describe yourself?

 I'll start it off for you:    brave, resilient, sincere, friendly, honest, hard-working, loyal, genuine, flexible, interesting, multi-facetted .......you can take over now...love to see the list when you've finished!!   Oops....I forgot "quirky"..

[quirkywords]

Moon

I have made lists of adjectives on this forum and in my journal.

I would like you and others to write a list.

My list

fun, caring, creative, loyal, compassionate,sincere, genuine, flexible,stubborn impatient, 

I would not add brave, resilient, hard working etc

[CMF]

Ooooh I love this. My list is;

Caring, loyal, honest,dependable,  resilient,  strong, loving, hard working,  sensitive, observant

[quirkywords]

Thanks CMF for your list. 

[quirkywords]

Does anyone want to add a list of words that describe them.?

[Moonstruck]

You asked for my list to describe me?....first attempt off top of my head - intelligent, talented, empathic, anxious, sad, ageing, loving, affectionate, lonely, confused, insecure, afraid, well read, literary skills, tactile,....will that do for now?

[CMF]

I'm reading "you can heal your life " and just read this line;

" I didn't even know who I was until I began to learn to love myself as I am in this moment".

[quirkywords]

CMF is that Louise Hay book.

i think loving myself means which self or must I love each version?