Stop Running on Old Programs — Start Living as You

Most people think they are “being themselves,” yet much of their daily lives are governed by automatic habits, fears, and old patterns.
At the School for Authenticity, we call this version of you the Acquired Self. It’s not who you truly are.

Your True Self is deeper, freer, and unshakable — like a diamond that stays unchanged no matter the circumstances. In this article, you’ll learn what it is, how it differs from your Acquired Self, and how you can live more from it.

The Acquired Self: Living on Autopilot

The Acquired Self is built from habits shaped by fear, doubt, or the need to fit in. These patterns are learned over time — roles you play and behaviours you adopt to feel safe or accepted.

For example, if anxiety grips you in certain situations, your Acquired Self runs a “program” on how to handle it. You might stay silent, avoid conflict, or act in ways that protect you in the short term but limit you in the long term.

The True Self: Your Core Essence

Your True Self is the purest expression of you. It acts from freedom, not fear. It’s guided by what truly matters to you, rather than by the expectations of others.

Like a diamond, your True Self is constant and unchanging. It is inherently honest, always acting with integrity and with the greater good in mind — never from selfish motives.

A Real-Life Example

Marijke, a manager at an advocacy organisation, used to act from her Acquired Self. Although she had strong opinions, she often kept them to herself. When colleagues underperformed, she either redid their work herself or responded with frustration.

When she began acting from her True Self, things changed. She addressed issues openly and respectfully, helping her colleagues improve. The result? A stronger, more empowered team and a healthier workplace atmosphere.

Why Living from Your True Self Changes Everything

Choosing your True Self brings powerful benefits:

• Greater self-confidence and self-worth

• Deeper, more authentic relationships

• Less stress and anxiety (no more pretending)

• Increased life satisfaction and inner peace

Authenticity builds trust — both with yourself and with others.

The Neuroscience Behind the True Self

From a neuroscience perspective, living from your True Self means reactivating your right brain hemisphere — the part connected to experiential awareness.

Instead of living from overthinking, you live from direct experience. The School for Authenticity offers tools and methods to strengthen this part of your brain, expand your awareness, and help you respond consciously rather than react automatically.

Experiential Awareness: Feeling, Not Just Thinking

Your True Self isn’t an idea. It’s something you experience.
It’s the felt sense of “this is who I am” in the present moment.

When you live from your True Self, you are no longer acting out old patterns. You are fully here, now, as your authentic being.

The True Self is not a concept — it’s a living experience of your Being.