How can I be myself again?

I agree with Ali.

But also.. I think it's time to learn to stop listening to people. You're truly yourself the day when you can sit there and say "this is what I want, this is what I believe, this is what I LIKE" without worrying too much about what others think.

Just BE yourself. And ENJOY it! :)

And, yeah, ditch the "Best friend" if she makes you feel this insecure about your own identity.

You are still yourself. It is her who is no longer herself. She didn't steal your identity. She copied you as best she could, which is an indication she didn't like herself as she was. People will see that she has copied you. The ones that don't see she's copied you are the ones with the problems.

It seems to me that she looks up to you and wants to be just like you... Take it as a compliment or it will make you crazy. 

I hardly see how her copying you makes you a nobody... I would think just the opposite. She obviously admires and respects you- to the point where she'd trade her own identity for yours. She sees what she wants to be in you and emulates you. I think it's a statement towards your character and personality.

Be careful about confronting her, because she probably doesn't even realize what she is doing and a confrontation could just lead to a nasty fight. Its hard to say something like 'stop copying me' without sounding incredibly egotistical.

I would suggest getting out there and making some new friends of your own, and see if you can reconcile the two groups after you've had a little 'break' from her.

True, copying can be seen as flattery, but this is a wee bit extreme to me. I'd stop talking to the girl, and start hanging out with YOUR friends without her.  Invite one or two of the old crowd out and just be with them for a while. No one ever said that you have to remain friends forever.

Change can be a cleansing thing, too. You've already started, so maybe try some new things.  I would try to make new friends, as well. Maybe a charity/sport/church activity?

I had a friend like that. It drove me crazy. I could not be her friend anymore. I say this person is nuts and it's clearly making you uncomfortable. Get rid of her

i'm pretty burtally honest sometimes so i'm sorry if this comes out brutal, but just be yourself and since you sound like lots of fun, it'll be easy for you meet new friensd.  you don't need friends like that hun.  no one does.  cuz they aint friends...  i say this as someone who went thru what u r now and it's the only thing that worked and i'm so happy because i can be totally myself.

Ever see the movie Single White Female? if not, rent it and watch it!!!

I would def be careful if/when you confront her about it....crazy is as crazy does. But I do think her emulating you is a compliment in general.....just a weird one!

If all your friends hang with her now as well....well maybe try separating them and hanging out one by one with them over time......get your spot back and try to make it so she's not around. Maybe confide in one or two of them about your feelings.....

Original Post by spirochete:

I had a friend like that. It drove me crazy. I could not be her friend anymore. I say this person is nuts and it's clearly making you uncomfortable. Get rid of her

I agree. this girl is not well. She must have hated her life before you had become friends. She probably had no friends in her town. She probably saw how all your friends were with you and decided that she wanted them. So she thinks she needs to act exactly like you to become their friends. Get rid of her she is not healthy in the mind. Also keeping changing your hair color. Turn it like blue or wear a wig one day and see if she does it. That would be funny to through it in her face a little lol sorry im more of a vengance kinda person lol.

i would take it as a compliment. if she wants to be like you then you must be one really cool chick! dont change just so she will change. if she is just copying you then the novelty should wear off. your other friends will notice in time without you saying anything. 

i say, take the high road. smile and keep her as a friend. everyone needs friends.this girl more so than most.  she doesn't have to be bff or even a close friend. 

please don't see yourself as a "shell" she cannot make you that only you can. 

believe in yourself. 

katttttttt

She's obviously going to keep copying you, you tried changing something and she's copied that too. I don't think people who say take it as a compliment understand how frustrating and annoying it can be (hello, look how she's saying it makes her feel).

"I would suggest getting out there and making some new friends of your own"

they ARE her friends - this 'best friend' will probably try to get in with them too

I would distance yourself from her, try to rekindle with some of your previous good friends and try to enforce it just being you and them. Of course it doesn't hurt to try and make some new ones as well, some who don't know her :D