Anyone who hides aspects of themselves, or presents an untrue version of themselves, simply ends up attracting people who appreciate that which is untrue in them. In turn, being with such people, only inspires one to be even more untrue, therefore going deeper and deeper into losing touch with one true oneself! It's quite pointless.

The only thing to do or, at least, the beginning of all things, is to embrace all that we are... and find people who see and love us as exactly THAT - what we are, and not some manufactured, socially acceptable version of ourselves. (whatever that may be)- and it sounds like you have done that! That's wonderful!

PS: You may already know this story about stones but, even if you do, it doesn't harm to read it again. Basically, it's another way of saying the same thing you already wrote about here.