Hi sillycat, the method that works best for me is practicing gratitude and humility. It doesn't exactly raise self esteem directly, but a more positive attitude really makes it an easier process. There's nothing wrong with mimicking, it's a great way of picking up some good traits .

As for your comments regarding your concern about how others perceive you, I think you'll be very interested in a sociology theory called the "looking glass self".

As for fitting in, don't worry about it too much. We humans have a tendency to exaggerate in our minds how others perceive us.