“A man can do as he wills, but not will as he wills.” – Arthur Schopenhauer

In other words, we can choose what to do, but we cannot choose what we want to do…

So much of what we desire is shaped by forces outside of us—social norms, expectations, and the values handed to us by family, culture, or friends. We chase careers, possessions, and relationships that, while seemingly fulfilling, often leave us with a lingering sense of “Is this all there is?”

Living authentically means moving away from these externally imposed desires and rediscovering what truly matters to you.

Here’s a practical way to start:

1. Create space for reflection. Take 10–15 minutes daily to journal about moments in your life when you felt truly alive. What were you doing? Who were you with? What values or principles were you honoring?

2. Track your energy. Over the next week, notice which activities or conversations energise you versus drain you. These are powerful indicators of alignment (or misalignment) with your authentic self.

3. Question your “shoulds.” Any time you catch yourself saying “I should do this,” ask: “Who says so? Is this what I genuinely value?” Start replacing “should” with “want” or “choose.”

Authenticity isn’t about rejecting society—it’s about making conscious choices. When you live in alignment with your personal values, the path forward becomes clearer, and the weight of external expectations begins to lift.