What do we mean when we talk about limiting beliefs and why is it so important to learn more and understand them better?

If you look up the word “beliefs”, the results will show you something along the lines of:

Beliefs: a definition. Beliefs are assumptions which people have about themselves, They are deeply ingrained in us and often phrased in a generalist way.. other people or the world in general.

I agree with this definition. But where do they come from and are there different types of beliefs? How do different kinds of beliefs impact our everyday lives? Which belief influences which area of our lives the most? How conscious are you of these dynamics? Are you already able to use this knowledge to your advantage? Or are you struggling at times, because some beliefs are so deeply rooted, it’s not enough to just “get into a new mindset”? These are the questions I’m curious about and that I want to address in our sessions. Not the least because I know from personal experience that these are the questions that can drive you mad the most.

Imagine you know that there’s a limiting belief. It comes up time and time again and you just don’t know how to transform it in a healthy way – yet.

I find all of these questions incredibly exciting. In a nutshell, I think my beliefs have impacted me in ALL areas of my life. Friendships, job, health, self-care, my personal battery, finances, love: whatever the issue, it will resurface again and again – depending on the circumstances sometimes more, sometimes less – but in all areas of my life. Whenever I stop to take a closer look at the issue at hand, I realise that there’s one or even several limiting beliefs which are connected to it.

Take finances for instance,

-> it is often connected with sub-topics such as:

• Wealth;
• Receiving / accepting;
• Nurturing / being nurtured / letting someone nurture me;
• Self-esteem;
• Flow / balance;
• Life energy;
• Security.

Let’s imagine a person who does not like rich people. Because they are convinced that rich people are arrogant and pedantic. According to them, poor people are much more open, warm and, paradoxically, more generous. They would keep giving even if they have nothing left.

Very noble, isn’t it? Indeed. And perspective is key. Is it more generous if I help you get a job which will provide you with a long-term income, support your family, enable you to always have a fridge full of food and a wardrobe full of clothes, or is it more generous if I lend you a coat or give you shelter in a case of emergency? I don’t want to judge or claim that one is better than the other. Both scenarios can be seen as incredibly generous. That is precisely my point. Making generalised statements or judging people is not helpful. It is much more important to decide what feels right in the moment, free from any values shaped by the past.

What feels right for me but also for the world and the universe as a whole?

Because everything is connected and everything is one. The best decision for the universe will also be the best decision for me personally. Now, it might not be the easiest decision. Every decision is equally hard and equally good. Because everything contains everything. This might sound absurd to you right now. But the problem is not what decision we make. The problem is the mindset that we are stuck with. How flexible is your mind? Are you able to listen to your needs as well as the universe’s needs? These are the questions that matter.

Beliefs such as “xy is good” and “yz is bad”, or “x is better than y” pass judgment. What happens next? We feel guilt, shame, fear and insecurity. We don’t dare to be who we really are and lose our authenticity.

Most of all, these limiting beliefs stop us from living our life and shaping it into what we want it to be. Let’s go back to the example: Do you believe a person will become rich as long as they believe that rich people are worse than poor people? If the belief only existed in our thoughts, we could just use them to shift it.

But every thought will become a word, every word an action and every action a behaviour. The behaviour will shape our personality and who we are. Or rather, who we think we are. This is why using regular affirmations and observing our minds helps us to utilise our thoughts to influence beliefs and behavioural patterns and eventually dissolve and change them.

Very often, these beliefs are deeply ingrained in us. They are much more deeply rooted than “just” the thoughts in our heads.

If we have been surrounded by certain values and opinions for years, if we have never had the chance to objectively explore our own values and corresponding opinions as children – how can we expect to remember them as adults? We can repeat all the affirmations in the world and hope to believe them one day. At the same time, I wonder: how easy is it for an idea to take root and find fertile ground in which to grow. This brings us to Bodywork, Voicework, Somatic Experiencing and Theta Healing.

The main idea is to actually FEEL your beliefs. What feels right for you? Theoretical, factual and “sensible” considerations aside? Without any judgment, from yourself or others. Without the fears of other people who want to protect us with their warnings. Without any feelings of shame and the fear of being judged. Without this little voice in our head which wants to please everyone and for everyone to love us. We can’t convince others to love us. We can only love ourselves. For me, self-love also includes surrounding myself with people who appreciate me the way I am because they can sense that I love myself. People who don’t want to change me.

Who do I want to be? If I could be anyone, who would I be? If it was safe to be the way I would like to be AND people loved me for it? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Would you like to work with your beliefs and find your way (back) to your authentic self? If you do, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me and we can discuss how we could work together.