[morbidhawk]

I think its extremely hard to know what your true self is. Like you said about codependent culture, it seems that there is a great deal of unhealthy social conditioning to unwind in order to understand what "Being Yourself" really even looks like. For me I've struggled finding the balance between not allowing myself to be walked on (due to my codependent tendencies) and being able to be vulnerable and open to hearing criticism about myself. In my mind it has been a struggle to determine whether my thoughts are codependent or authentic.

"Just be yourself" is a little too simplified I'm afraid, my former self was people-pleasing and constantly seeking validation while avoiding emotions and conflict, not being vulnerable. That is not the person I want to be, to discover who I am I've had to recognize that there are new values that were deep inside me (authenticity, vulnerability, honesty) but that I had to dismantle a whole bunch of socially conditioned lies to get there as I had a misunderstanding of those values. I don't think I could have done this process alone, therapy has helped me a lot to recognize that I had unhealthy opinions.

[ada1981]

I share a similar perspective and experience. Also agree that the simplicity of "be yourself" can mask the depths of it and the years of work required to find the Self.

I certainly couldn't have done it alone, and can't imagine doing it without MDMA therapy in particular.