be yourself
Don't pretend otherwise
Be yourself is advice to act according to your own nature rather than conforming to others' expectations or pretending to be someone you're not.
It encourages authenticity over performance: Just be yourself at the interview.
The phrase assumes a true self exists beneath social masks, though what counts as "yourself" often goes unexamined.
Sometimes used dismissively when the advice feels inadequate to the situation.
- authenticVerified as original
- genuineTruly what it claims
- trueAccurate or loyal
- realTruly existing, not fake
- real talkFrank, unfiltered discussion
honest · individuality · unique · stand out · confidence · soul · identity · inner voice · pretend · let go · vulnerable · raw · unapologetic · no filter · free · natural · comfortable · accept
- life advicebe honest, be kind, be patient, work hard, keep promises
- authenticityauthentic, genuine, real, fake, counterfeit
- life wisdomcarpe diem, seize the day, live and learn, this too shall pass, know thyself
- sayingssayings, saying, proverb, proverbs, adage
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, follow the crowd
- pep talkskeep going, hang in there, keep pushing, stay positive, keep it up
be yourselfput on an act
play a role · wear a mask · put on a front · put on airs · perform
be yourselfconform
Behave as expected
fit in · follow the crowd · toe the line · keep up with the Joneses · assimilate
be yourselfcode-switch
Alternate between linguistic varieties
keep up appearances · live a lie · mask · camouflage · cover up
yourself, were, been, self, selves, selfhood, selfless, selfish, selfishly