To be yourself?

Reminded of how much I wrestled with that admonition of “be yourself”, like in my late teens-early adult years (o pretty long I think). I just couldn’t understand what was meant! That it was something desirable, which was talked about, was called upon, so much I understood, but I was clueless.
It is normal in your teens at least, the search for identity, trying out who to be? My dilemma probably went a little deeper. Had to do with the fact that I ended up with older people in environments celebrating high, refined ideals of how to be, so early, I think.