What is Be You?
Perfectionism is more than striving to do your best—it’s the belief that your worth depends on your performance. It’s linked to self-criticism, anxiety, depression, and burnout, and it’s affecting students more than ever. Over 25% of young people struggle with perfectionism, a number that has sharply risen in the last 30 years.
At BYU, where academic and spiritual expectations run high, these pressures can feel overwhelming.
Be You is a 10-day campaign from Women’s Services & Resources designed to help students challenge perfectionism and build lasting confidence. Each day introduces a new theme—like Be Mindful, Be Grateful, or Be Authentic—paired with a simple challenge to inspire reflection and personal growth.
Through daily participation, students learn to shift their thinking, embrace who they are, and make meaningful changes toward greater well-being.
The Be You 10 Day Challenge
Want to be more involved in our campaign? Here’s how to do the challenge!
- Download or grab a paper copy of 50 Ways to Be You
- Choose a challenge corresponding with the day’s theme (or make up your own)
- Complete the challenge
- Write about your experience or share it with a friend!
- This challenge will help you apply strategies to combat perfectionism and live a happier, healthier life!
Themes
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Toggle ItemBe Purposeful
Definition: live life with intention, direction, and clarity about what matters most to you
Description: To be purposeful involves making conscious decisions that align with your values and give your life a greater purpose. There are several physical and mental benefits, such as greater resilience, lower risk of mental illness, and greater satisfaction with life. When you focus on what matters most to you in life, you will distance yourself from rigid, self-critical values and toward a mindset of growth and self-compassion.
Ideas:
- Do something that has been on your to-do list for a while
- Make a 5 year plan
- Put some money away for something you want
- Organize a space you use daily
- Write a personal mission statement
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Fearless
Definition: act with courage despite fear
Description: Being fearless is about letting go of the need to be perfect and embracing growth, uncertainty, and vulnerability. When you're fearless, you try new things even if you’re not sure you’ll succeed, speak up even when your voice shake, apply for opportunities, start conversations and trust that your worth isn't tied to flawless performance.
Ideas:
- Do something out of your comfort zone
- Apply for something even if you’re unsure
- Talk to someone new on campus
- Share your thoughts in a class or group
- Participate in a faith building activity for 20 minutes
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Charitable
Definition: give freely of yourself to serve others—without expecting anything in return.
Description: Charity includes acts of kindness, empathy, forgiveness, and love. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of charity, as He extended unconditional compassion to everyone. Perfectionism is often self-focused. In contrast, charity turns us outward. When we focus on others’ needs, we naturally think less about our own flaws. Serving others disrupts negative self-talk, fosters connection, and builds compassion—for others and for ourselves.
Ideas:
- Write someone a kind note
- Serve a roommate quietly
- Let someone go ahead in line
- Give someone a sincere compliment
- Volunteer on campus
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Mindful
Definition: be present in the moment by being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings - without judgment.
Description: Those who practice mindfulness think about what is happening right now instead of getting caught up in the past or future. Mindfulness is a mental state and a practice. It involves breathing, reflecting, and resetting with intention. Practicing mindfulness challenges perfectionism because it empowers us to let go of things that are out of our control and appreciate what is. It promotes kindness for self and others when mistakes are made and reduces stress and anxiety.
Ideas:
- Do a 5-minute meditation or prayer
- Eat one meal without distractions
- Journal what you’re feeling in the moment
- Close your eyes and take five deep breaths
- Spend some time in nature
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Grateful
Definition: acknowledge and appreciate the goodness in your life
Description: Gratitude is not only a practice; it is a state of being. Key aspects include awareness, appreciation, perspective shift, and expression. President Russell M. Nelson said, “Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.” It helps counter perfectionism through helping us accept what is instead of focusing on what should be. We become happier, improve relationships, and build resilience through gratitude.
Ideas:
- List 10 things you’re grateful for
- Tell someone why you appreciate them
- Post a gratitude story or message
- Say thank you to someone you usually overlook
- Reflect on a challenge or hardship you’ve learned from
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Positive
Definition: look at life through an optimistic and hopeful lens, especially during difficult times
Description: we choose to magnify the good aspects of life and uplift others. Positivity is a powerful tool to combat perfectionism, which is often rooted in negativity. Being positive reframes setbacks as learning experiences instead of failures, and it challenges all-or-nothing thinking through valuing progress over perfection.
Ideas:
- Say 3 kind things about yourself
- Replace a negative thought with a hopeful one
- Smile at others throughout the day
- Share something positive about your day with a friend
- Choose one encouraging affirmation to repeat
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Authentic
Definition: be genuine, honest, and true to who you are instead of conforming to who others expect you to be
Description: Authenticity involves expressing your true thoughts, feelings, and values, even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable. You are willing to be seen as flawed and imperfect, because it a part of who you are. While perfectionism pressures others to put on a mask, authenticity helps us readily accept our flaws while striving to improve. As Elder Uchtdorf said, “God does not need people who are pretending to be something they are not... He needs you. He needs your unique talents and perspectives.”
Ideas:
- Acknowledge something that makes you unique
- Let go of something that no longer serves you
- Wear something that expresses your style
- Do something simply because you enjoy it
- Ask for help when you need it
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Creative
Definition: use your imagination and unique gifts to make something new, meaningful, or beautiful
Description: In being creative, you build courage to try new things and fail, and you express your identity through what you create. Thinking outside the box opposes perfectionistic ideals through encouraging flexibility instead of conforming to a rigid standard, and it builds self-confidence through making and creating new things.
Ideas:
- Doodle something while listening to music
- Start a Pinterest board for inspiration
- Try a new art form or craft
- Write a short poem or song
- Take photos of things that inspire you
Resources:
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Toggle ItemBe Healthy
Definition: care for your mind, body, and spirit in a balanced way
Description: Healthy living involves creating habits that allow them to perform to the best of their ability. There are different aspects of health- mental health, physical health, spiritual health, and social health, and they all need to be maintained. Those who nourish their mind, body, and spirit can get rid of perfectionistic tendencies through listening to their bodies. They do not forsake any aspect of health for achievement or recognition- which can have detrimental lasting effects- instead, they value balance and self-honesty.
Ideas:
- Take a walk, stretch, or dance to one song
- Pack a balanced snack or meal
- Go to bed 30 minutes earlier
- Drink a glass of water mindfully
- Say something kind to your body
Resources:
