May 22 is the International Being You Day.

We encourage others and ourselves to "Just be yourself". It sounds so easy, and still I find myself not being comfortable to show who I am deep down.

So how can we overcome the fear of not being liked for who we are?

Start with acknowledging who you are.

Make a list if necessary.

Write down what you like, and what you don't. Then own it. You don't have to like the same things I do. What if it's way more interesting to have a different opinion and stand for it?

Embrace your quirks

We all have stuff we think would annoy others.

Heck, they even annoy myself. So we are constantly looking to improve and adapt and adjust. It takes a lot of energy, and we could all just relax and say: This is who I am. Take it or leave it.

Fall in love with yourself

This is not an easy task and has taken me most of my adult life.

I got there in the end by taking the above steps. I allowed myself to be just who I am in any given moment, even if I'm not showing up as my best version.

I replaced the constant negative voice with a person that adores me.

If you have a hard time doing that, just imagine what your partner would tell you.

It might take you some time, and after a while the negative voice will quieten down and the positive loving persona that lives inside of you will take over.

Together you are dynamite.