I guess something I've realized about myself is that I can be incredibly open about myself and not have much repercussions for it.

Back when I came out as gay in high school (this was back in November 2016 or something), I had feared that coming out wouldn't work out with my friends, but it actually went through very nicely. I think it was around then that I realized that I didn't really have anything attached to me in terms of any sort of image, and then I basically realized that being open and honest with myself really wouldn't hurt me.