Being true to ourselves is not easy to those who are frustrated with the person they seem to be. They don't like themselves, so it makes sense they avoid it. I suppose a lot of psychological traumas are involved. This is a very common situation.
I must also add that our thoughts are guided. The ones we can control will guide some of our actions, but most of it goes beyond our consciousness. Ironically, we have to think a lot just to comprehend our own minds. But that proves how some of it, if not most, is beyond our control. Just like the way you can influence your breathing, but it changes automatically according to the situation your body is in, and there is a limit to how much control you can exert over it.
In fact, it is not thinking that one understands the mind... It is observing. We cannot judge our own thoughts and emotions by observing, but only reflect on why they act the way they do.
We can control our breathing at any time if we train it. The best way to do this is to practice meditation daily. We can have more control over ourselves than we imagine. But we are used to giving in to the ego's desire. Buddhist monks and fakir are excellent examples of self-control and self-empowerment.
My point is there are greater forces at work than our consciousness. The consciousness is not above the rest of the brain.