That tweet near the end is definitely a better piece of advice. The way I always think of 'be yourself' is 'be yourself, *but magnificently so*'. Your positives should be not only pleasant, but demonstrable and productive as well. If you are creative, then create, put that forwards for everyone to see, and let it make a positive impact on people's lives. If you are compassionate, then take steps to care for and comfort everyone you can. Anything negative should either have its impact minimised, be eliminated through self discipline, or channelled into something positive, again, not just to a few people, but to anyone you encounter. Just being 'nice' is not enough if simply you keep it bottled away inside and only use it to restrain yourself from doing bad things. No one's going to remember how you chose *not* to make their life shitter, they're going to remember how you made it *better*.
Zefrank, you are one of the most interesting, smart and deep people i have ever seen on youtube. Outside of your amazing comedy, you make videos like these. Videos that i have come to adore, and i believe can never be replaced. Even if you have not made many new videos recently, your channel will never be forgotten.
I believe that “be yourself” really means to love yourself and never let anyone shame you for your differences, your strengths, talents, failures, etc. I love Ze acknowledged the different facets of ourselves, because if you are interesting at all, you are multifaceted, you have the professional you, the funny you, the kind you, the jerk you, the scared you, the strong you, and so many more. I think that you are finally yourself when you truly don’t care or take on untruths or opinions of other people. Personally, I’ve always been fondest of those who dare to march to the beat of a different drummer. And if you don’t agree, I don’t care. 😁
We spend a relatively short time in childhood and the rest of our lives trying to recover. I am 53 and trying to work toward being more myself, or more authentic each day.
You are so right,I didn't look at it that way,but you said it in a way that made sense..I feel like I judge myself more & more the older I get & I'm so judgemental on myself,it's crazy..I'm always apologising,even if I haven't done anything wrong..What's wrong with me??.. I connected so much to what you said/your comment,it just hit me..I hope you are keeping well,take care✌🏼☮✌🏼☮
you can't imagine how greatful I am for finding your channel, I don't know how many times that I've watched these videos , I know the content of the video but the life that you spark is beyond describable and keeps me coming back to watch it again and again , pathetic maybe but who cares , it's ze baby!!!
God, I just discovered the existence of this show a year ago and love everything about it. I wish I was aware of it when it was still running. Watching it now, a decade later, is a strange feeling, like the one you get when you see traveling photos of your friend's parents on their fridge. Lives and undeniably awesome events that you're so distant from, but you still wish deep down that you were there with them. Frank, you most likely don't read these anymore but you're an inspiration.
Ok I've been watching since forever. A whole butt ton has changed. When I started I was in love for the first time, then my partner had a psychotic break and started having hallucinations, and then I was depressed bc I had to move to a new city, then I lost a dear friend to anorexia. THEN I had a botched surgery resulting in my surgeon puncturing the side of uterus and I bled out half the blood I had. Every step has been made easier when I checked out your videos. The confusion and anger was totally understandable but these videos helped me feel not so alone and gave me tools I still use. Now with a pandemic I find myself back here relearning it's okay to not be okay but be as okay as you can be in the midst of a lot of not ok stuff to ensure you stay ok ok not stuff down the not okay feelings to pretend okay ok? I love True Facts but what I really love is Ze Frank. Thank you so much. You've really helped me ❤
Being "me", I feel, is a fluid thing. Cause every day I make choices and meet people that in some way adds to "me". Either by showing me new stuff, making me question a believe or quality I have forcing me to revive my concept of "me" or something else. I take what I feel inside, is the best for me, thereby evolving as a person and as a human. 9 out of 10 times, I feel better with the thing I choose or learned, like assembling something great, and seeing it come together. What a feeling ^^
Be the good you can be. Be the weird, the strange, the smart, the dumb, the social, the anti-social, the indie, the hip, the un-hip, be honest, be kind, be confused about who you are. Be the good you can be. Even if people don't get it at first.
I think the advice means don't change yourself just to fit in with others or be what they expect you to be. Be what you want to be. Believe in this self you have created and don't change that for people.
This is brilliant. I love it when people put universal truths and common, unspoken psychological experiences into words. There's something immensely satisfying about this. It feels like art. I teach high school and work for my church youth group, and I think I'm going to show this to some of my students. I know I can relate to the ideas expressed here!
Be yourself... People are not as they seem they are; there are many different dimensions (for lack of a better word) to them. You are always yourself, but you can be a different part of yourself (if that makes sense)... Some people have a self that mirrors others, that hides by camouflaging and copying others. That is the self that I think people are trying to discourage when saying "be yourself". I liked what Robert Mock said, "make yours a good self".
12 years ago, when I was 12, I found zefrank.com and felt completely at home in your/zefrank's pix elated land! I was so moved that I e-mailed you/zefrank. I was so happy that you/ze responded as it made me feel a less alone: someone understood. I don't remember what was said, but I do indeed remember the feeling of excitement, inspiration and of course, being less alone. Thank You :D
Ze, I have only recently discovered and started watching your videos. You have no idea how much better I feel knowing I am not the only one who makes involuntary noises when remembering embarrassing things. Seriously, I thought I was going insane. You are my hero just for saying that (and many other reasons but mostly that...)
I've never commented on a video before but I felt so compelled to share on this one- I MAKE NOISES TOO! Well, they're more melodic, kind of like a humming, mumbling noise when I think of embarrassing things I've done. I don't know if tit's just that I'm embarrassed or what. But that's so crazy that you mentioned that because I've caught myself doing it before and thought, "woah, I'm so crazy for doing that, betcha no one else does that." And it's such a specific, small thing, but thank you for doing it too!
True Facts is a wonderful, funny, and informative series.. but I would LOVE to see videos like these come back. They are emotional and make you rethink even the most basic of things. This man is truly a miracle of a human.
It shouldn't be so remarkable that watching your own funeral would be comforting. There's a lot of comfort to be had from escape, from letting go of your responsibilities. It's like suicide but you don't have to then be dead.
I think going with a dream that tells an actual story would be beside the point, as well as seeming fake (like, not actually seeming like a dream). Pointlessness makes it more dreamlike, which fits in with the concept of animating somebody's dream as opposed to actually creating an animated short.
I think being yourself is not choosing one part of yourself and commiting to it, but instead not choosing any particular part at all. Just figure out what you're gonna do at the moment you find yourself in a new situation remembering there there is no PROPER reaction. So in that sense "be youself" makes sense. Don't adopt any particular mindset for good.
"Be yourself" is an odd, confusing, vague--and at the same time pretty obvious statement. who else are you gonna be? ...could go around skinning other people and wearing their faces to see if that does anything. I rank this statement up there with "It's all in your head" .... o_O cuz...crazy thoughts and hallucinations obviously do not come from my ass. unfortunately.
I agree and intuitively knew it from a young age. Its advice that only makes sense once you have found your natural self flowing through life with relative harmony.
This video made me feel so seen, heard and warm as a teen, and coming back to it now makes me so happy you were in my life (through youtube). Thank you ZeFrank!
I'm being very VERY serious here- have you ever thought you may be on the autism spectrum? My son is, and I'm heavily involved in the community. Some of the funniest, smartest and best people I know are autistic. Highly intelligent, awesome. etc. Just a thought.
When that happens to me I always tell myself, "In reality, I'm probably the only person thinking about this embarrassing thing that happened to me. So why do I even care anymore because I was embarrassed by the audience of (a) person/people seeing this happen, which they most likely wouldn't even remember unless I told them myself." That can usually comfort me enough to stop dwelling on those unfortunate past events. (:
I think the way to 'find yourself' is to look at the people you aspire to. What is it about them that you admire? Once you figure out what it is, e.g. an overwhelming kindness, strength, selflessness, not quitting until you succeed- then you will understand that those are the qualities you want to see in yourself. So make yourself in to that person! 'Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself'
i discovered this video in 2013. right now its 2021 and still one of the greatest videos in youtube ive seen. because of this vid i became a better version of myself thanks to ze frank. sir i hope youre doing well today in these troubled times
February 1977, on a high school ski club outing. Decided to dress up a bit and try and look cool, got laughed at. Decided that night to be myself regardless of the reactions and to stop trying to be someone else to fit in. Changed my life. Not always easy, but so far life has been pretty good
I'm in my late 30's, and I'm still trying to be me. I've settled on most things, but there are still many things that don't feel quite right yet. I think accepting you'll always be a bit of a mystery to yourself is helpful... as is never settling for the parts that don't feel quite right. Change is good.
I wish I had heard this advice when I was much younger. I had to learn it the hard way. After 4 years of depression because I was "being myself" and nobody liked it, and hating myself because of that, and thinking there was nothing I could do, I finally realized, if I hate myself why don't I become someone else, someone better? And I did it, I became a new self, with so much of my old self still there but with more of the things I liked about myself and the things I liked about other people.
I really enjoy your videos, I have feelings like this a lot and it's sort of comforting (in a weird way) knowing i'm not the only one. So I guess I'm saying thanks for uploading these kind of videos.
I love how he just talks about my life, it makes me feel less lonely like as if am not the only one who does things like that. Thanks man you make my days better :D
I think people only say "be yourself" when your friends already know that you as a person are already good. I say "be yourself" to by friends too, but when I know something is wrong with them, I tell them about it and tell hopefully help them to improve themselves.
I search this a while back cause i heard and sometimes continue to hear things negative about me, im a bit paranoid okay maybe alot but i would always feel that growing up if someone didn't like you or what made you you it was your fault or only you face but i realized it happens to everyone thankfully this video when i watch it if im down or confused it all ways cheers me up not if anyone cares but hopefully someone who reads this can relate to this and know its normal and you are not alone everyone goes through something like this just believe in what you know :)
Thank you for, as an adult, still remembering how hard it can be to "be yourself" as a teenager, when you're still trying to find out who that self even is.
This video= a snapshot into my life. Even now that I'm older the concept of yourself still seems daunting and highly unfair. Even though at 21, I like to think I've developed a very nice mosaic of all the things I realistically and actively represent, everything I want other people to think I represent, and everything I want to be in the future. I never understood "be yourself", I am being myself...I just suck at being the self that I and the people around me can agree on. Great video :)
Hey Ze! I always enjoy your videos (for many reasons)! This one felt for me so sincere and authentic. Maybe it was the slower rhythm or the qustion mark that was left there not knowing the answer, or the compassionat and accepting glance at yourself, I don't know.. all I know is that I was touched. Thank You for everything!
You're an awesome guy! I really like how in depth you go to making your point... or confusion, whatever. It's hard for kids nowadays to really find who they are and want to be, if parents could only explain it to them like this and let them know it's perfectly fine to be unsure and scared. Everything comes together in the end!
Just like that you talk about things, that I can strongly relate to and never mentioned to anyone ever. The things you say really matter. I want to hug you
I can't tell you the number of times I have received that advice in the past year. At first I thought it was good advice because it meant that I wasn't uncomfortable with who I was, but it turns out the discomfort of being pushed to the ground for being yourself is a bit bigger than any discomfort caused by not being myself. Whenever I get that advice I always want to respond: "But if I be myself I'll be shunned and rejected and hit, and that's not a good thing" rather than just "thanks"
This video was really surprising to me, because it made me realize that I'm not the only one who makes little noises when they remember something embarrassing, or imagines sad things and finds them comforting. It made me realize that I am not quite so far removed from other people as I have always thought.
My analysis: idea of watching your own funeral being comforting to you; in life you feel there's so much that needs to be done, you can't possibly keep up. No matter how much you do, how hard you try, you're never quite where you want to be, and this may push to a point, no matter how much more you do, it all seem meaningless at times, to a point where you're literally pushing the life out of your life, to a point were sometimes, you would like to see yourself finally be able to rest in peace...
I always had a really hard time trying to be anything but a "character" I constructed for other people, even when I was alone I stayed "in character", because I didn't know how to deal with any of that "self" business, so I just pretended it wasn't there. Everytime I tried I just felt... out of place. I felt like I was just, (I don't know how to say this)... "wrong". And then I finally came to realise what my dumb, dense brain already knew but decided not to know: I was a girl all along! No wonder even the "good" social interactions felt "off", and I forced a character upon myself even when I was alone. Ever since I realised that, life became a lot harder, but simultaneously easier to bear.
oh my gosh, it is SO comforting to know that i'm not the only one who makes involuntary noises when i remember embarrassing things that I've done... i always feel like such an idiot, but it's nice to know i'm not alone :)
I am quite grateful to have found such great outlets of big-deep-ish stuff as you and Nerdifghteria and Neil Peart at a relatively early point in my life. I feel that from folks like yourself, I've learned to be a good I soon enough that I can really enjoy being I. So thanks.
Being myself in high school was putting in two different color contacts, and the switch the colors on my eyes one in a while. Kids definitely noticed. Freaked them out.. I enjoyed that.
The funereal is comfy to you because you see all of your loved one's wanting you more than ever. Then you look at all the memories you have had and smile. You love to cherish the thought of seeing many of those people alive and well and in need of only you at that time.
and thats why one should seek constant self-improvement. seek help if you have problems. when you are truly the best of yourself you will project the best of yourself.
I make little involuntary noises all the time when I remember something embarrassing I did. I sometimes flinch at the memory or face-palm my self. It's kind of a painful remembrance, more so than remembering something sad.
I think knowing who you are comes with experience, age, and decisions. Being yourself is imparative, but to do that you have to know your opinions and be honest with yourself. To do that i think there are two better pieces of advice to give young people: Every trait has good aspects and bad. Ambitious, or self centered. Easy going, or unfocused etc.You get to choose a side for each of those things to get to where you want to go. And don't be afraid to get experiences. They will shape you.
does anyone here remember of the fog of child hood. the constant flouting from one area to another not knowing what was going on. I remember on the second day of second grade not only loosing my teacher, the classroom, the building, but everyone who was in that class just on my way from the bus drop of to my class room. I wandered around until someone found me, the fog was that thick.
making noises about embarrassing things you've done, I honestly thought I was the only one, or at least apart of a small group. When I was in elementary school I remember always trying to be someone I wasn't and trying to act "cool" by being mean to people. When I entered high school it was like I could start over so I did and I decided to make friends with people that I thought were nice, it doesn't matter whether they were cool or not. I think this is something that everyone needs to realize
i'm gonna have to rewind and rewatch because i stopped paying attention at about 0:15 when i noticed Perdido Street Station on the shelf. love mieville.
Most people seem to go through this crisis of self in their teens, but I've spent my mid-20's in this state. I spent all my younger years just being myself without a thought to self-improvement, but I never got anywhere in life. I suppose it's time to make mine the best self I can.
I've had some dreams that sort of pretended to have a point, but never any that actually formed a coherent narrative, so I suppose it depends what you mean.
this confusion was really comforting since i feel the same way.. i really don't feel, even now as an adult that I really have the tools to be ME. so be a good me, is all i can try for.
Hey, great video thanks 4 posting 'cause we've all been there. I got this advice too and it didn't make any since either and I tried to act liek everyone else but it just didn't seem right. It wasn't until college that I realized what being yourself meant 4 me. It was discovery what made me me. What I liked to do, wear, think, and share with others. By finding this I found pride in being myself and because I held true to who I was and didn't listen to the haters, I found friends who were like me
I hope you had a you when you were growing up or someone closer to a you because that will be the only way in which you will realise what a great you you are and how you inspire me.I love what you say, how it sounds in my ear, how it's processed through my brain and how it nourishes what i can only describe to be my soul. Thank You.
I am in pretty much the same boat as you at the moment. I am at the end of my second year at university halfway through my exams and I am struggling to find a meaning in what I am doing. I love my course, but I feel like what I am doing is so wrong. I am wasting my life and my mind reading the same words over and over until they no longer mean anything. When I feel like this I tell myself that it doesn't last. In an eternally short period of time it will be over and I can be the best me again.
I often make involuntary noises when I remember embarrassing things I've done as well, Ze. Thanks for sharing that. It feels good to know I'm not the only one, though I haven't a clue why.
I think the "Be yourself" advice is like "Do what you like to do" for a career advice. What if you don't have anything you like currently? Would you wander internally until you find something you like - thus wasting years of your life? What if you never find anything you like? And if you already know what you like, you wouldn't be asking for advice in the first place and would just do it.
It's weird that everyone keeps commenting about how you don't blink or how your eyebrows are creepy because I thought this video was brutally honest and really helpful. I think we adapt to the people around us; being "ourselves" is different around your friends, family, or anyone . I always wonder why I'm different around specific people; more social, less outgoing, sad, awkward, anything. Thanks for giving me that advice of trying to make myself a good self. I'll try to be an overall good one.
I don't really know how anyone can not be themselves. You can adapt and change and that's the way people grow and develop, it's just the way people work. People are always 'themselves' just a different part of themselves. Completely copying someone else is a bad idea but ultimately people change, even if they always are being themselves. This video is amazing :D
I've always felt that being who you want to be had a clearer goal than being yourself. You'd have to find yourself before you could be it and even if you find it how would you know it's you as you've never met you before that meeting! ARRGGHHH!!!!
I think that the thought of seeing your own funeral would comfort you, or any others, because it lets you know that even if your life ends, it doesn't end, if that makes sense. There is still something out there for you, even after death, that allows you to see your own funeral, come back to earth and remember what your life used to be like.
When I was in high school I asked myself who I wanted to be. I wanted to be Herakles, Achilles, Odysseus, Batman, Superman, Wolverine, Frank Castle. I wanted to be like heroes of song and story. Strong, intelligent, independent, feared by my enemies and respected by everyone else. Since then my whole life has been about bettering myself, physically, mentally, spiritually. I think I made the right choice on who to be.
I am incredibly grateful that Meekakitty linked to your video, which lead me to follow that link... and to discover your channel (maybe not the first discoverer, granted). Either way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me (and other people).
I love going back through your videos when I am feeling down. I find listening to them reassuring and inspiring. Thank you.
here doing the exact same thing
That’s why I’m here ☺️
Same same...
I feel that. I listened to many of these A Show vids years ago when I was in college. I’m returning to them now because they are very comforting.
Just found him. Thankful I did!!
ZeFrank manages to make me feel normal.
😆 Right RiHght aA GRASSY-ASS zefrunck!1😁
One of his many talents....
what is normal in this batshit crazy world we find ourselves in
That tweet near the end is definitely a better piece of advice.
The way I always think of 'be yourself' is 'be yourself, *but magnificently so*'. Your positives should be not only pleasant, but demonstrable and productive as well. If you are creative, then create, put that forwards for everyone to see, and let it make a positive impact on people's lives. If you are compassionate, then take steps to care for and comfort everyone you can.
Anything negative should either have its impact minimised, be eliminated through self discipline, or channelled into something positive, again, not just to a few people, but to anyone you encounter.
Just being 'nice' is not enough if simply you keep it bottled away inside and only use it to restrain yourself from doing bad things. No one's going to remember how you chose *not* to make their life shitter, they're going to remember how you made it *better*.
Zefrank, you are one of the most interesting, smart and deep people i have ever seen on youtube. Outside of your amazing comedy, you make videos like these. Videos that i have come to adore, and i believe can never be replaced.
Even if you have not made many new videos recently, your channel will never be forgotten.
Right Sed zfred
I believe that “be yourself” really means to love yourself and never let anyone shame you for your differences, your strengths, talents, failures, etc. I love Ze acknowledged the different facets of ourselves, because if you are interesting at all, you are multifaceted, you have the professional you, the funny you, the kind you, the jerk you, the scared you, the strong you, and so many more. I think that you are finally yourself when you truly don’t care or take on untruths or opinions of other people. Personally, I’ve always been fondest of those who dare to march to the beat of a different drummer. And if you don’t agree, I don’t care. 😁
There's the problem; you have to interpret, which makes it a bad message. :P
@thekaxmax so the entire Bible and every religion is nothing but Bad Messages? Rad xD
We spend a relatively short time in childhood and the rest of our lives trying to recover. I am 53 and trying to work toward being more myself, or more authentic each day.
You are so right,I didn't look at it that way,but you said it in a way that made sense..I feel like I judge myself more & more the older I get & I'm so judgemental on myself,it's crazy..I'm always apologising,even if I haven't done anything wrong..What's wrong with me??..
I connected so much to what you said/your comment,it just hit me..I hope you are keeping well,take care✌🏼☮✌🏼☮
you can't imagine how greatful I am for finding your channel, I don't know how many times that I've watched these videos , I know the content of the video but the life that you spark is beyond describable and keeps me coming back to watch it again and again , pathetic maybe but who cares , it's ze baby!!!
God, I just discovered the existence of this show a year ago and love everything about it.
I wish I was aware of it when it was still running. Watching it now, a decade later, is a strange feeling, like the one you get when you see traveling photos of your friend's parents on their fridge. Lives and undeniably awesome events that you're so distant from, but you still wish deep down that you were there with them.
Frank, you most likely don't read these anymore but you're an inspiration.
"I wasn't being me, but wasn't wasn't being me being me? how else would I wasn't be?"
XD
Ok I've been watching since forever. A whole butt ton has changed. When I started I was in love for the first time, then my partner had a psychotic break and started having hallucinations, and then I was depressed bc I had to move to a new city, then I lost a dear friend to anorexia. THEN I had a botched surgery resulting in my surgeon puncturing the side of uterus and I bled out half the blood I had.
Every step has been made easier when I checked out your videos. The confusion and anger was totally understandable but these videos helped me feel not so alone and gave me tools I still use.
Now with a pandemic I find myself back here relearning it's okay to not be okay but be as okay as you can be in the midst of a lot of not ok stuff to ensure you stay ok ok not stuff down the not okay feelings to pretend okay ok?
I love True Facts but what I really love is Ze Frank. Thank you so much. You've really helped me ❤
Everytime i watch your videos ze, i always say thank you out loud. Hopefully you read this, cause i want to thank you.
Being "me", I feel, is a fluid thing. Cause every day I make choices and meet people that in some way adds to "me". Either by showing me new stuff, making me question a believe or quality I have forcing me to revive my concept of "me" or something else. I take what I feel inside, is the best for me, thereby evolving as a person and as a human. 9 out of 10 times, I feel better with the thing I choose or learned, like assembling something great, and seeing it come together. What a feeling ^^
Be the good you can be. Be the weird, the strange, the smart, the dumb, the social, the anti-social, the indie, the hip, the un-hip, be honest, be kind, be confused about who you are. Be the good you can be. Even if people don't get it at first.
I think the advice means don't change yourself just to fit in with others or be what they expect you to be. Be what you want to be. Believe in this self you have created and don't change that for people.
i was trying to listen to what you were saying, but instead i found myself counting how many times you blinked. i got 19.
Try to count the blinks from Jenna Marbles. She doesn't blink. ever.
This is brilliant. I love it when people put universal truths and common, unspoken psychological experiences into words. There's something immensely satisfying about this. It feels like art. I teach high school and work for my church youth group, and I think I'm going to show this to some of my students. I know I can relate to the ideas expressed here!
"Do you have the rest of the instructions, Jackass?" LOL omg. Dying. xDD
Be yourself... People are not as they seem they are; there are many different dimensions (for lack of a better word) to them. You are always yourself, but you can be a different part of yourself (if that makes sense)... Some people have a self that mirrors others, that hides by camouflaging and copying others. That is the self that I think people are trying to discourage when saying "be yourself". I liked what Robert Mock said, "make yours a good self".
0:51 HE BLINKED!!!
Nope. He did not blink. YOUR IMAGINATION STATION IS overdrived. 👀🙉💥 👽
12 years ago, when I was 12, I found zefrank.com and felt completely at home in your/zefrank's pix elated land! I was so moved that I e-mailed you/zefrank. I was so happy that you/ze responded as it made me feel a less alone: someone understood. I don't remember what was said, but I do indeed remember the feeling of excitement, inspiration and of course, being less alone. Thank You :D
oh man I got scared shitless by his.......EYES!!!!
Ze, I have only recently discovered and started watching your videos. You have no idea how much better I feel knowing I am not the only one who makes involuntary noises when remembering embarrassing things. Seriously, I thought I was going insane. You are my hero just for saying that (and many other reasons but mostly that...)
I was trying to have a staring contest and only blink when you did, and my eyes...they watered so much and I quit after the first minute
I've never commented on a video before but I felt so compelled to share on this one-
I MAKE NOISES TOO! Well, they're more melodic, kind of like a humming, mumbling noise when I think of embarrassing things I've done. I don't know if tit's just that I'm embarrassed or what. But that's so crazy that you mentioned that because I've caught myself doing it before and thought, "woah, I'm so crazy for doing that, betcha no one else does that."
And it's such a specific, small thing, but thank you for doing it too!
*I wasn't being me, but wasn't wasn't being me being me? How else would I wasn't be?*
"Everyone is theirself, always. The actual advice should be 'make yours a good self'" daammmnn my heart breakes, that was so beautiful
at some points it seemed like you were quoting a dr suess book
True Facts is a wonderful, funny, and informative series.. but I would LOVE to see videos like these come back. They are emotional and make you rethink even the most basic of things. This man is truly a miracle of a human.
I do that involuntary noise thing. Or my hand will jerk.
that happens to me too
Keep up and on Ivan. Youve friends right here 😘
It shouldn't be so remarkable that watching your own funeral would be comforting. There's a lot of comfort to be had from escape, from letting go of your responsibilities. It's like suicide but you don't have to then be dead.
my philosophy is try to just be.
I think going with a dream that tells an actual story would be beside the point, as well as seeming fake (like, not actually seeming like a dream). Pointlessness makes it more dreamlike, which fits in with the concept of animating somebody's dream as opposed to actually creating an animated short.
A regular dr. Suess
I think being yourself is not choosing one part of yourself and commiting to it, but instead not choosing any particular part at all. Just figure out what you're gonna do at the moment you find yourself in a new situation remembering there there is no PROPER reaction.
So in that sense "be youself" makes sense. Don't adopt any particular mindset for good.
"Be yourself" is an odd, confusing, vague--and at the same time pretty obvious statement. who else are you gonna be? ...could go around skinning other people and wearing their faces to see if that does anything.
I rank this statement up there with "It's all in your head" .... o_O cuz...crazy thoughts and hallucinations obviously do not come from my ass. unfortunately.
I agree and intuitively knew it from a young age. Its advice that only makes sense once you have found your natural self flowing through life with relative harmony.
Zefrank, I love you. And miss you. Your videos have helped me through so many shitty times in my life.
Thanks, I'm more confused now.
This video made me feel so seen, heard and warm as a teen, and coming back to it now makes me so happy you were in my life (through youtube). Thank you ZeFrank!
I'm being very VERY serious here- have you ever thought you may be on the autism spectrum? My son is, and I'm heavily involved in the community. Some of the funniest, smartest and best people I know are autistic. Highly intelligent, awesome. etc. Just a thought.
When that happens to me I always tell myself, "In reality, I'm probably the only person thinking about this embarrassing thing that happened to me. So why do I even care anymore because I was embarrassed by the audience of (a) person/people seeing this happen, which they most likely wouldn't even remember unless I told them myself." That can usually comfort me enough to stop dwelling on those unfortunate past events. (:
I love your videos Ze, they always make me contemplative, as well as making me feel better.
I think the way to 'find yourself' is to look at the people you aspire to. What is it about them that you admire? Once you figure out what it is, e.g. an overwhelming kindness, strength, selflessness, not quitting until you succeed- then you will understand that those are the qualities you want to see in yourself. So make yourself in to that person!
'Life is not about finding yourself, life is about creating yourself'
i discovered this video in 2013. right now its 2021 and still one of the greatest videos in youtube ive seen. because of this vid i became a better version of myself thanks to ze frank. sir i hope youre doing well today in these troubled times
February 1977, on a high school ski club outing. Decided to dress up a bit and try and look cool, got laughed at. Decided that night to be myself regardless of the reactions and to stop trying to be someone else to fit in. Changed my life. Not always easy, but so far life has been pretty good
Years later and these videos still help me get through
I'm in my late 30's, and I'm still trying to be me. I've settled on most things, but there are still many things that don't feel quite right yet. I think accepting you'll always be a bit of a mystery to yourself is helpful... as is never settling for the parts that don't feel quite right. Change is good.
I wish I had heard this advice when I was much younger. I had to learn it the hard way. After 4 years of depression because I was "being myself" and nobody liked it, and hating myself because of that, and thinking there was nothing I could do, I finally realized, if I hate myself why don't I become someone else, someone better? And I did it, I became a new self, with so much of my old self still there but with more of the things I liked about myself and the things I liked about other people.
I still watch all these early vids. Ze, you do a lot more than you realize. Thank you
I'm so glad you exist. I'm so glad you share these sorts of things with the rest of us. It makes me feel not so alone and weird.
I really enjoy your videos, I have feelings like this a lot and it's sort of comforting (in a weird way) knowing i'm not the only one.
So I guess I'm saying thanks for uploading these kind of videos.
This is the first video Zefrank I have ever seen. Thank you, Tessa! ^_^
I love how he just talks about my life, it makes me feel less lonely like as if am not the only one who does things like that. Thanks man you make my days better :D
I think people only say "be yourself" when your friends already know that you as a person are already good. I say "be yourself" to by friends too, but when I know something is wrong with them, I tell them about it and tell hopefully help them to improve themselves.
I search this a while back cause i heard and sometimes continue to hear things negative about me, im a bit paranoid okay maybe alot but i would always feel that growing up if someone didn't like you or what made you you it was your fault or only you face but i realized it happens to everyone thankfully this video when i watch it if im down or confused it all ways cheers me up not if anyone cares but hopefully someone who reads this can relate to this and know its normal and you are not alone everyone goes through something like this just believe in what you know :)
Thank you for, as an adult, still remembering how hard it can be to "be yourself" as a teenager, when you're still trying to find out who that self even is.
This video= a snapshot into my life. Even now that I'm older the concept of yourself still seems daunting and highly unfair. Even though at 21, I like to think I've developed a very nice mosaic of all the things I realistically and actively represent, everything I want other people to think I represent, and everything I want to be in the future. I never understood "be yourself", I am being myself...I just suck at being the self that I and the people around me can agree on. Great video :)
Hey Ze! I always enjoy your videos (for many reasons)! This one felt for me so sincere and authentic. Maybe it was the slower rhythm or the qustion mark that was left there not knowing the answer, or the compassionat and accepting glance at yourself, I don't know.. all I know is that I was touched. Thank You for everything!
It's truly wonderful to find others who think alike. Your videos always reassure me, thanks Ze.
You're an awesome guy! I really like how in depth you go to making your point... or confusion, whatever. It's hard for kids nowadays to really find who they are and want to be, if parents could only explain it to them like this and let them know it's perfectly fine to be unsure and scared. Everything comes together in the end!
Just like that you talk about things, that I can strongly relate to and never mentioned to anyone ever. The things you say really matter. I want to hug you
I can't tell you the number of times I have received that advice in the past year. At first I thought it was good advice because it meant that I wasn't uncomfortable with who I was, but it turns out the discomfort of being pushed to the ground for being yourself is a bit bigger than any discomfort caused by not being myself.
Whenever I get that advice I always want to respond: "But if I be myself I'll be shunned and rejected and hit, and that's not a good thing" rather than just "thanks"
This video was really surprising to me, because it made me realize that I'm not the only one who makes little noises when they remember something embarrassing, or imagines sad things and finds them comforting. It made me realize that I am not quite so far removed from other people as I have always thought.
My analysis: idea of watching your own funeral being comforting to you; in life you feel there's so much that needs to be done, you can't possibly keep up. No matter how much you do, how hard you try, you're never quite where you want to be, and this may push to a point, no matter how much more you do, it all seem meaningless at times, to a point where you're literally pushing the life out of your life, to a point were sometimes, you would like to see yourself finally be able to rest in peace...
I always had a really hard time trying to be anything but a "character" I constructed for other people, even when I was alone I stayed "in character", because I didn't know how to deal with any of that "self" business, so I just pretended it wasn't there. Everytime I tried I just felt... out of place. I felt like I was just, (I don't know how to say this)... "wrong".
And then I finally came to realise what my dumb, dense brain already knew but decided not to know: I was a girl all along! No wonder even the "good" social interactions felt "off", and I forced a character upon myself even when I was alone.
Ever since I realised that, life became a lot harder, but simultaneously easier to bear.
Great to hear you found yourself!
oh my gosh, it is SO comforting to know that i'm not the only one who makes involuntary noises when i remember embarrassing things that I've done... i always feel like such an idiot, but it's nice to know i'm not alone :)
I am quite grateful to have found such great outlets of big-deep-ish stuff as you and Nerdifghteria and Neil Peart at a relatively early point in my life. I feel that from folks like yourself, I've learned to be a good I soon enough that I can really enjoy being I. So thanks.
This is pure poetry. It almost sounds like a song.
Being myself in high school was putting in two different color contacts, and the switch the colors on my eyes one in a while. Kids definitely noticed. Freaked them out.. I enjoyed that.
This is definitely my favorite video you've made ze.
The funereal is comfy to you because you see all of your loved one's wanting you more than ever. Then you look at all the memories you have had and smile. You love to cherish the thought of seeing many of those people alive and well and in need of only you at that time.
and thats why one should seek constant self-improvement. seek help if you have problems. when you are truly the best of yourself you will project the best of yourself.
I make little involuntary noises all the time when I remember something embarrassing I did. I sometimes flinch at the memory or face-palm my self. It's kind of a painful remembrance, more so than remembering something sad.
As busy as you are... I dont think you understand how much I - we miss you Ze
I think knowing who you are comes with experience, age, and decisions. Being yourself is imparative, but to do that you have to know your opinions and be honest with yourself. To do that i think there are two better pieces of advice to give young people:
Every trait has good aspects and bad. Ambitious, or self centered. Easy going, or unfocused etc.You get to choose a side for each of those things to get to where you want to go.
And don't be afraid to get experiences. They will shape you.
does anyone here remember of the fog of child hood. the constant flouting from one area to another not knowing what was going on. I remember on the second day of second grade not only loosing my teacher, the classroom, the building, but everyone who was in that class just on my way from the bus drop of to my class room. I wandered around until someone found me, the fog was that thick.
This is one of your best videos, and defiantly one of the more funny ones yet still thought provoking.
making noises about embarrassing things you've done, I honestly thought I was the only one, or at least apart of a small group. When I was in elementary school I remember always trying to be someone I wasn't and trying to act "cool" by being mean to people. When I entered high school it was like I could start over so I did and I decided to make friends with people that I thought were nice, it doesn't matter whether they were cool or not. I think this is something that everyone needs to realize
i'm gonna have to rewind and rewatch because i stopped paying attention at about 0:15 when i noticed Perdido Street Station on the shelf. love mieville.
Ze Frank, you are the best thing that ever happened to the internet ever. Thank you for being the best self I've ever come across. :)
Most people seem to go through this crisis of self in their teens, but I've spent my mid-20's in this state. I spent all my younger years just being myself without a thought to self-improvement, but I never got anywhere in life. I suppose it's time to make mine the best self I can.
Thank you, because i have no idea what im doing with my life right now and everyone i talk to just tell me to be myself. Who the hell is myself.
I've had some dreams that sort of pretended to have a point, but never any that actually formed a coherent narrative, so I suppose it depends what you mean.
this confusion was really comforting since i feel the same way.. i really don't feel, even now as an adult that I really have the tools to be ME. so be a good me, is all i can try for.
Hey, great video thanks 4 posting 'cause we've all been there. I got this advice too and it didn't make any since either and I tried to act liek everyone else but it just didn't seem right. It wasn't until college that I realized what being yourself meant 4 me. It was discovery what made me me. What I liked to do, wear, think, and share with others. By finding this I found pride in being myself and because I held true to who I was and didn't listen to the haters, I found friends who were like me
I hope you had a you when you were growing up or someone closer to a you because that will be the only way in which you will realise what a great you you are and how you inspire me.I love what you say, how it sounds in my ear, how it's processed through my brain and how it nourishes what i can only describe to be my soul. Thank You.
I am in pretty much the same boat as you at the moment. I am at the end of my second year at university halfway through my exams and I am struggling to find a meaning in what I am doing. I love my course, but I feel like what I am doing is so wrong. I am wasting my life and my mind reading the same words over and over until they no longer mean anything.
When I feel like this I tell myself that it doesn't last. In an eternally short period of time it will be over and I can be the best me again.
I often make involuntary noises when I remember embarrassing things I've done as well, Ze. Thanks for sharing that. It feels good to know I'm not the only one, though I haven't a clue why.
I'm watching this from Cardiff and that intro made me smile.
You remind me of my old karate instructor in looks and personality; what you do is great and your positivity is astounding.
"Be yourself" is the best advice you could ever receive. However, it is also the most misunderstood advice ever as well.
I think the "Be yourself" advice is like "Do what you like to do" for a career advice. What if you don't have anything you like currently? Would you wander internally until you find something you like - thus wasting years of your life? What if you never find anything you like? And if you already know what you like, you wouldn't be asking for advice in the first place and would just do it.
It's weird that everyone keeps commenting about how you don't blink or how your eyebrows are creepy because I thought this video was brutally honest and really helpful. I think we adapt to the people around us; being "ourselves" is different around your friends, family, or anyone . I always wonder why I'm different around specific people; more social, less outgoing, sad, awkward, anything. Thanks for giving me that advice of trying to make myself a good self. I'll try to be an overall good one.
Wish you would make more videos you are so perfect at helping all of us broken people 💕
I don't really know how anyone can not be themselves. You can adapt and change and that's the way people grow and develop, it's just the way people work. People are always 'themselves' just a different part of themselves.
Completely copying someone else is a bad idea but ultimately people change, even if they always are being themselves.
This video is amazing :D
I've always felt that being who you want to be had a clearer goal than being yourself. You'd have to find yourself before you could be it and even if you find it how would you know it's you as you've never met you before that meeting! ARRGGHHH!!!!
I think that the thought of seeing your own funeral would comfort you, or any others, because it lets you know that even if your life ends, it doesn't end, if that makes sense. There is still something out there for you, even after death, that allows you to see your own funeral, come back to earth and remember what your life used to be like.
When I was in high school I asked myself who I wanted to be. I wanted to be Herakles, Achilles, Odysseus, Batman, Superman, Wolverine, Frank Castle. I wanted to be like heroes of song and story. Strong, intelligent, independent, feared by my enemies and respected by everyone else. Since then my whole life has been about bettering myself, physically, mentally, spiritually. I think I made the right choice on who to be.
Thanks for opening my eyes, and helping me making my days easier in the coming days. I think you're a nice guy. Really.
I love your show. You are like Dr. Suess for grownups. Every component on the show makes it so unique and creative. I love the collaborations.
I am incredibly grateful that Meekakitty linked to your video, which lead me to follow that link... and to discover your channel (maybe not the first discoverer, granted). Either way. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me (and other people).