JennyO You say "I'm finding a lot of freedom in being able to be myself and not worry what other people think - that seemed to come with learning to love myself and accept myself as I am. My friends seem to be mostly happy with who I am too, which is nice".
Surely the happiness comes from not only knowing yourself but having abilities that you didn't have when you were younger. I think we all become more adaptable as we age...individual but adaptable to other people, the environment and circumstances as I said in the post before yours. We are all adaptable....which in my mind does not make you more of yourself. You mature more as the years pass (or should, as some don't seem to) and continue to do so until death inevitably takes you..but who assesses or judges that maturity..yourself or others? Even what I am writing here..now...will be assessed and if others don't agree...I might have to revise my opinion...that doesn't make me more of me...just a little more adaptable and conforming to what I learn from them.
Best wishes, Mike.