They say a person can be themselves but they cannot see themselves. In fact, they say that there is no certainty that a person can be themselves. It depends on the environment in which they operate.
And for that, they say that many people do not choose their environment. They find themselves in an environment and go along with it, making choices that are not really theirs and not really being themselves. Perhaps not ever.
They settle at a certain level or give up and switch off. The light goes out of their eyes and they stop seeing how they are struggling inside. They would move if someone or something opened the door for them and if they had enough determination. But the doors are closed, too heavy to move. So they don't.
How can we even live if we don't make all the mistakes and lives that make up a life lived?