If it makes someone feel good, then it's not really pointless.
"Be yourself" is no different than any other word in existence.
It's a shortcut meant to communicate something more complex.

No one really says it to someone as a means of conveying absolute factual information.


But you can try to be someone else.
You can try to be who you want to be or who you think anther person/social expectations wants you to be, or to try and act according to what you believe their biases to be so they'll see you how you want to be seen (all sorts of permutations).
In that attempt there can easily be miscommunication.

Only from a 3rd person omniscient perspective could someone look at another/themselves and determine "that's who they are, they're being themselves."

That perspective doesn't really exist except in theoretical discussions that can be far removed from the practical.

You could just as easily start a thread "I think the phrase 'don't overthink things' is the most pointless phrase. You can't stop thinking. And if you're sitting there focused on thinking about not overthinking then you're overthinking."


I think what the vast majority of people mean when they say they are "being themselves" is that they aren't actively trying to be something else, something they don't think they are, or to please others.
Ultimately an attempt at conveying their honesty and honest intentions.


You are "always yourself" but there are so many variables to you and what motivates you from moment to moment and cumulatively that you will never "really" know absolutely "who you are."

At best you will only know who you are right now and in practical, general settings/conditions that you have experience with and expect.
Part of the reason why games like "would you rather?" are fun.


There is only one self.

Other than that, are you interchanging "self" with "facade?"


I wouldn't.
That would be for the people that know me best to describe for me.
Hopefully it would be for informative purposes for a higher goal than just emotional masturbation and ego stroking, possibly in an attempt to get something from me.

This is probably a stupid question I don't know the on-line or texting lingo - but what does IMHO
mean? (sometimes I think I need some sort of dictionary to understand these posts!

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

Thanks Tom

.....whistling in the dark

Well said TOM

Well said TOM

Be myself:
A mom
A daughter
A sister
A friend
A partner
A business person
I have a lot of roles in my life each one I have to adjust to as needed. But in all of them I never forget to be kind as I would want others to treat me the way I would want to be treated. Sometimes being too nice is not good but I know I am responsible for whatever outcome happens. I know myself and my worth and I assume a person is good until the person proves me wrong. There were times I would doubt myself and my decisions but one thing I’m sure of is I like me, I like my big broken heart and I like making people happy. Have a great weekend everyone

hi, to be myself means for me is to accept what is going inside me. i.e to be able to cry if i feel like and not to be embarrased at my state of affairs.

this cant be a comfortable situation in social life. therefore , when people are being judgemental and again am hurt, i know what it is like and i am ok with that.the reason being i know the other person wont be able to or cant see what am going through.

being myself necessarily doesnot mean being selfish and its not abut "me" all the time.

just different perspectives on being humble

it is wonderful, from my perspective, to be so comfortable in yourself that you don't feel the need or desire to announce it, which to me is humility ...

JUST BE CALM
HAVE A BEER
AND BE YOURSELF

it is when you are at home, but outside you should be as per situation some times you should be a LION, some times you Should be a DEER

I’ve known people to perceive “be yourself” as allowing every impulse carte blanche, and others to take it as advice to follow their instincts. The difference between impulse and instinct, being night and day.

An impulse is a momentary thought while an instinct is a more processed one. As you are the one processing it, the result is still very much being oneself.

I take “be yourself” as, “trust your instincts”, because my instincts tell me not to follow my impulses at inappropriate times. An example; the man next to me at a funeral, following an impulse, makes some small jest under his breath. My impulse would be to laugh, as it was quite humorous and I am naturally drawn to good humor, but my instinct knows it would be greatly disrespectful to do so.

In keeping mum, have I failed to be myself? Of course not. Being respectful of others is one of my instincts and therefore also “being myself”.

Good point.

Using self-control and tact is also "being" yourself, if you possess those qualities.

Its when those qualities are not inherent to the personality, that the phrase "Be Yourself" gets out of hand.

It gets seen as a reason to be rude, insensitive to others or just plain mean because that person is ruled by those negative traits. People's baselines are just as diverse as their individualism.

Many times, people don't really understand themselves so when their baseline personality shows, it gets messy.
Its the "I'm not crazy, You are" syndrome.
When someone is 'aware' of their baseline and the effect it has on others, they may try to change their baseline it better fit in.
That is also "being yourself" but in a decisive change.

As for funerals, I don't go. I won't even go to my own.
I choose to honor and remember the person in life.
That person is not at the funeral, not in the grave but alive in my heart and I take that with me where ever I go.
Yet, despite my own belief, I also understand that people need that closure and comfort. I am not insensitive to that. "Being myself" allows me to feel compassion for what others are going thru because I allow myself to feel compassion for others emotional expression.

When I tell people that my dad and mom are dead, they always say "I'm Sorry". My first thought is why? You didn't kill them and you never knew them? But my compassion for others makes me say "Thank You". I am "being myself" because I know they truly think they need to comfort me.

Be yourself is a balanced combination of personality + behavior + way of thinking.

Be yourself everyday or try to be;;;;;don't imitate anyone.

You will zzzzz much better!!

Be yourself is a balanced combination of personality + behavior + way of thinking.

Be yourself everyday or try to be;;;;;don't imitate anyone.

You will zzzzz much better!!

OK. Google is not my friend. Although it is very handy and helpful.

And if they taste good Dodo_David, "why not".

Ok be your self...I am who I am and don't need anyone to define me. I am my own person

The “out of hand” be yourselfers have very loose filters I’d venture...some none at all.

I agree with you in theory about funerals Tom, but at the same time can’t seem to let a family member or friend put someone in the ground forever without my support. I also don’t care to think of going in the ground without all I care for with me one last time. Even though I know I won’t know one way or another. It’s a nice thought for me.