Now that you’ve identified your core values, it’s time to take a deeper look at where they came from. Many of the values we hold today were shaped by family, culture, religion, education, or societal expectations—but not all of them may reflect who we truly are.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to separate inherited values from authentic values so that the values guiding your decisions are truly yours. You’ll also take a second look at values you discarded in Lesson 2.1 to see if any deserve to be reclaimed with a fresh perspective.

🔹 What Are Inherited vs. Authentic Values?

✔ Inherited Values – These are values we absorb from external influences, such as parents, teachers, religious institutions, or society. While they may have been important to the people who taught them to us, they may not align with who we are today.

✔ Authentic Values – These are the values that genuinely resonate with who you are at your core. They reflect your unique identity, passions, and lived experiences.

Most people hold a mix of inherited and authentic values without realizing it. The goal of this exercise is to consciously choose which values to embrace and which ones to release.

🔍 Are You Living By Inherited or Authentic Values?

Many people never take the time to reflect on whether their values are truly their own or simply adopted from external influences. This can lead to frustration, internal conflict, and a sense of unfulfillment.

Example:

• A person raised in a family that prioritizes financial success may have been taught that money and status are the most important goals.
• However, deep down, they may value creativity and freedom more than wealth.
• If they continue to pursue financial success at the expense of their creative expression, they may feel disconnected from their true self.

Understanding whether a value is inherited or authentic allows you to consciously shape your life around what truly matters to you.

📖 Example: Releasing an Inherited Value & Reclaiming an Overlooked One

Letting Go of an Inherited Value

Imagine someone who grew up in a traditional family where “respecting authority” was a strong value. They were taught to always follow the rules, avoid conflict, and do what’s expected.

Later in life, they realize that independence and self-expression matter more to them than blindly following authority.

Their shift:

• Instead of valuing obedience, they now prioritize critical thinking, questioning norms, and making independent choices.
• They release the inherited value of strict authority and embrace their authentic value of independence.

Reclaiming a Value That Was Overlooked

Someone might have initially discarded “Community” because they grew up in a family that emphasized independence and self-reliance.

After reviewing their discarded values, they realize that having a strong sense of community actually brings them joy and fulfillment—they just never embraced it because they were conditioned to prioritize individual success.

Their shift:

• Instead of rejecting “Community” as an inherited expectation, they now choose it as an authentic value—one that genuinely enhances their life.

✍ Journaling Prompt: Letting Go & Reclaiming Values

1️⃣ Think about a value that you’ve followed because of family, culture, or societal expectations, but that doesn’t fully align with who you are today.

• What is the value?
• Where do you think it came from?
• How has this value influenced your decisions so far?
• If you let go of this value, how would your life change?

2️⃣ Think about a discarded value that might be more important than you initially thought.

• Why did you originally dismiss it?
• What does it mean to you now?
• How could embracing this value create a more authentic life for you?