"You should 'just be yourself' not because it will make you more likeable (it won't) but because it's only by being yourself that you'll find people who like you for who you really are rather than for someone you're pretending to be" ~ Gurwinder Bhogal
This was one of the biggest realisations of my 20's.
The advantage of doing this is that no criticism will ever fully land because you're one degree removed from the person who's being criticised.
The disadvantage is that you're removed from the person who's being complimented too.
If you're only playing a role, you will never feel connected to the successes of your life. Any accolades or warmth you receive won't resonate properly in your heart because it is not YOU who is receiving it, it's the character you're pretending to be.
"The persona is incapable of receiving love, it can only receive praise" ~ Aubrey Marcus
This is how you can feel alone in a crowd and hollow in victory.
If you haven't shown your true self to the people around you, you are inevitably going to feel disconnected from them. And the people who would have fallen in love with the true you will pass you by because that person is never presented.
The persona subsumes the person. This isn't the people around you's fault. Take responsibility.
There are reasons to fear truly showing up, but they pale in insignificance compared to the reasons to hide away.
Even if all you want is success, your highest point of unique contribution is you fully embracing you.
"No one can beat you at being you." ~ Naval Ravikant
The absolute best you can hope for if you're playing a role is to be the 2nd best in the world at being someone else.