Why does it take so much courage to be yourself?

Why does it take so much courage to be yourself? Shouldn't this be one of the most natural things to do?

Being yourself requires courage because it often means that you create distance between yourself and others.  This is often temporary as you come to terms with any situation, but it can often be permanent as you grow apart.  The rewards always outweigh the costs and it takes courage to trust in this process.  This is a natural process, but our society focuses a lot on conformity so we often lose touch with what is natural.