The problem with advice people give is that it is shallow and repeated. They focus on our behavior without caring about what goes on inside us. When you behave strange they ask you to behave normal. While actually how we react to others is the result of many things that we feel and think.
You did a good job realigning to who you are without caring about others.
It takes a lot of courage to be an open book. Thanks @poeticsnake for the lesson.