I was recently listening to a client process her thoughts and feelings regarding a profound realization: Her mother, whose approval she’d sought her entire life, had lied to her about her own achievements. My client, whom we’ll call Sydney, grew up idolizing her mom as a soccer star who had supposedly earned accolades from professional coaches and players. She also heard endless stories about her mom’s time at Yale, where, according to family lore, she’d been easily admitted and excelled.

Sydney, now a young adult, had spent her childhood and adolescence striving to be a top athlete and stellar student. She pushed herself relentlessly, feeling as though she’d disappointed her mom when her own soccer skills didn’t get her much attention, and even more so when she couldn’t get into an Ivy League college.

Imagine Sydney’s surprise when, during a visit from her mom’s childhood friends, she overheard them reminiscing about soccer camp and the supposed accolades from professional players. The stories, as it turned out, were completely fabricated. Sydney’s mom and her friends laughed about how the professional players had ignored them as they desperately tried to get their attention. Sydney, confused, interjected: “Wait, I thought one of them complimented you? I thought Mia Hamm said you were fast, and her coach said you could have a spot any day on his team?” Her mom’s friends burst out laughing. “She wishes! They wouldn’t give us the time of day!” one of them replied.

Sydney’s mom wouldn’t meet her gaze. Each time Sydney tried to bring it up privately later, her mom changed the subject. The foundation of Sydney’s self-concept began to crack. If her mom had lied about this, what else might not be true?

Seeking answers, Sydney went to her father. Despite his reluctance—he didn’t want to jeopardize their recently repaired relationship after a long and difficult divorce—he decided it was important to be honest. He told Sydney that when he met her mom at Yale, she was struggling academically. She couldn’t keep up with coursework and was lost in most classes. Later, he learned that her acceptance to Yale had been the result of her father’s connections, not her academic record. Her high school grades were average at best.

Sydney sat in my office, reeling. She talked about staying up late to study, missing out on social events to get tutoring, feeling embarrassed that she needed a private soccer coach, and wondering how her “star athlete and incredibly smart” mom could have birthed someone she saw as a failure. The worst part? Her mom knew how hard she was struggling, and never chose to come clean.

I see this sort of story play out repeatedly with my clients, though often in subtler ways. Sometimes it’s not a fabricated family history, but the inherited standards of the diet industry, the patriarchy, or the unspoken rules of what it means to be “successful.” People realize, often painfully, that they’ve been living their lives according to someone else’s playbook.

Why We Struggle to Live on Our Own Terms

It’s human nature to seek approval and belonging. From childhood, we absorb messages about what’s valuable, admirable, or acceptable—sometimes from family, sometimes from culture at large. These messages shape our self-worth and our choices, often without us realizing it. For many of us, the realization that our guiding narratives may not be true, or may not serve us, is deeply unsettling.

But it’s also a chance for liberation.

Three Evidence-Based Steps to Start Living Life on Your Own Terms

If you recognize yourself in Sydney’s story, you’re not alone. Here are three action steps, rooted in evidence-based psychology, to help you break free from inherited expectations and live more authentically.

1. Practice Self-Compassion

Research by Dr. Kristin Neff and others has shown that self-compassion, treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a good friend, reduces anxiety, depression, and perfectionism. When you realize you’ve been living by someone else’s standards, it’s easy to feel angry, ashamed, or lost. Instead, try acknowledging your pain with gentleness: “Of course, I tried so hard. I wanted to belong. I wanted to be loved.”

Self-compassion doesn’t mean letting yourself off the hook for growth. It means recognizing that you’re human, and that changing deeply ingrained patterns takes time. Try writing yourself a letter from the perspective of a caring friend, or practicing a simple self-compassion meditation. These practices help you build the resilience needed to forge your own path.

2. Identify Your Core Values

One of the most powerful tools in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is values clarification. Instead of focusing on what you “should” do, ask yourself: What truly matters to me? What kind of person do I want to be? Research shows that living in alignment with your values increases life satisfaction and well-being.

Take a few minutes to write down your top five values. These might include creativity, kindness, adventure, honesty, or connection. Then, reflect on how your daily choices align (or don’t) with those values. If you notice a mismatch, get curious rather than judgmental. What small steps could you take to live more authentically?

3. Set Boundaries and Redefine Success

Living on your own terms often means disappointing others, or at least, stepping outside their expectations. This can be scary, especially if you’re used to being a people pleaser. Research on assertiveness training shows that setting healthy boundaries leads to greater self-esteem and lower stress.

Start by practicing small “no’s” in low-stakes situations. If you’re invited to an event you don’t want to attend, try politely declining. If someone makes a request that doesn’t align with your values, practice saying, “I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to pass.” Over time, these small acts of self-assertion build the confidence to make bigger changes.

And remember: Success is personal. Redefine it in terms of your own values and well-being, not someone else’s approval.

Next Steps

Sydney’s journey is one of dishonesty and healing, but it’s also a universal story. Most of us, at some point, wake up to the realization that we’ve been living according to someone else’s script. The good news is that it’s never too late to claim authorship of your own life.

By practicing self-compassion, clarifying your values, and setting boundaries, you can begin to live more authentically and on your own terms. It’s not easy, but it is possible. And in the end, the life you create will be your own.