Many of us have developed limiting beliefs about ourselves and our lives that are self-destructive and self-loathing. We believe we are a failure. We believe we will never recover from our addictions and mental health issues. We believe we are inadequate, inferior, unworthy and unlovable. We have been perpetuating these beliefs with our thoughts and actions, many of us for most of our lives. Healing them takes time, inner work, patience and self-love.
Become conscious of your limiting beliefs by paying more attention to your thoughts. What is the soundtrack of your mind saying to you on a regular, consistent basis? Is it telling you that you’re not good enough? Is it telling you that you’re doomed to be an addict forever? Is it telling you that your mistakes are unforgivable? Listen to your thoughts, and try writing down the recurring ones that hurt you the most, that make you feel most the most sad, ashamed and afraid- about yourself and your life. These are the limiting beliefs you are holding onto about yourself.
Do some work to dig deep to discover why and how you developed these limiting beliefs. Did a parent or teacher tell you that you wouldn’t amount to anything? Were you bullied as a child? Did you experience a trauma that was destabilizing and disruptive to your healthy development? Many of us have experienced trauma and developed limiting beliefs as a result. It is so important for us to analyze this trauma and see its connection to how we think and feel about ourselves.
When we can recognize that our limiting beliefs are a result of trauma, we can begin to come to an understanding that they are not the truth of who we really are. We have come to believe the things they tell us, but we don’t have to keep perpetuating them. We can choose instead to create new beliefs about ourselves that are filled with compassion and self-love. We can reprogram our subconscious minds to instill new beliefs to replace the old ones. One of the best ways to do this is through repetition of affirmations. This process requires that we put our energy, focus, attention and intention on these affirmations. We have to really want to believe them. We can’t just repeat them passively and expect results. Create affirmations that resonate with you, such as “I am confident. I am strong. I am brave. I have the power to heal myself.” Repeat them throughout the day, write them down, meditate on them as you wake up and fall asleep. The more we put our heart’s energy into instilling these new beliefs, the more we will feel the painful limiting beliefs fall away.
Vista Taos is here to support you along your healing journey. Call (575) 586-5078.
