In my practice and interactions with others, an overarching theme continues to surface among so many of us — our limiting beliefs about ourselves and the world around us.

These beliefs act as invisible chains, keeping us trapped as prisoners, even though we hold the key to change.

But how can we begin to change if we don’t understand the nature of these beliefs or where they come from?

When we examine the different ways limiting beliefs are defined, they all point to one fundamental truth: they are thoughts or opinions we accept as reality. Often, they’re powerful enough to restrict our true potential.

These beliefs can paralyze us with fear — the fear of living the life we truly desire.

Why? Because our limiting beliefs blur the line between truth and illusion, particularly when it comes to our self-worth.

These silent assumptions, deeply embedded in our subconscious minds, shape our lives without us even realizing it.

Rooted in early experiences, they form quietly and are shaped by the environment we grew up in, influencing our sense of worth, interactions, and decisions.

Understanding these beliefs is the first step. It’s the beginning of breaking out of the mold and ending the silent war that keeps us feeling unworthy, insecure, or “not good enough.”

By becoming aware of our limiting beliefs and recognizing their power over us, we can begin to break free and move towards a life aligned with our true potential and authentic desires.

These silent but powerful barriers often go unnoticed, yet they affect our self-worth, fuel insecurities, drive self-sabotage, and contribute to mental health struggles.

So, where do these beliefs originate?

Many stem from childhood, when we absorb the beliefs, judgments, feelings, fears, and biases of our parents or caregivers.

However, this isn’t about blame or judgment; it’s about awareness — they simply passed down what they, too, were taught.

As children, we operate primarily from our subconscious mind, which is shaped by these experiences and stored as memories. Without realizing it, these early beliefs persist into adulthood, often leaving us living according to beliefs that aren’t truly ours.

Over time, this pattern can even become generational, perpetuating cycles of trauma, insecurity, and disempowerment.

Whether nurturing or stressful, our childhood environment significantly influences how we form beliefs, cope with challenges, and process emotions.

Positive environments offer emotional security, confidence, and healthy mental patterns, while negative environments create anxiety, insecurity, and unhealthy coping behaviors.

These early experiences shape our subconscious mind, impacting our self-esteem and how we interact with the world.
For instance, a child raised with high expectations may grow up fearing failure or disappointing others. As an adult, they might struggle with impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and perfectionism.

Similarly, a child raised in an environment where love feels conditional may seek approval externally as an adult, struggling to prioritize their own needs. They might become people-pleasers, unable to set healthy boundaries or fully embrace self-love.

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In my book Courageously Authentic, I dedicate an entire chapter to this topic, “Who Owns Your Belief System?” If you would like a copy, it’s will be published soon! Click here and get on on the pre-sale notification list.

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The impact of these limiting beliefs extends far beyond individual experiences, as shown by these statistics:

• A study by Bravata et al., published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, found that up to 82% of people experience feelings associated with the impostor phenomenon, while 85% report low self-esteem.
• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 31.2% of 12th graders reported using illicit drugs in the past year.
• The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 61.4% of adolescents aged 12 or older reported using alcohol, nicotine vaping, or cannabis.
• A 2022 BMC Women’s Health article, “Why Don’t I Look Like Her? Discuss How Adolescent Girls View Social Media and Its Connection to Body Image,” revealed that adolescent girls often compare themselves to social media images, exacerbating appearance-based concerns and influencing their efforts to change their appearance.
• Other studies show that up to 90% of teenage girls feel pressured to change their appearance by age 17.

These findings underscore the immense pressure societal expectations place on self-image, especially for young people.

Breaking free from limiting beliefs isn’t only possible; it’s within reach through awareness and self-compassion.

With this awareness, we can stop generational conditioning and break free from patterns that no longer serve us. Through conscious choice, we can set healthy boundaries, heal outdated beliefs, and create lives filled with self-respect and acceptance.

Imagine the impact if we taught our children to love themselves and recognize their worth beyond external expectations.

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Last month, I had the privilege of speaking at a Working Mother’s Expo on why mothers often struggle with guilt when prioritizing self-care.
When asked this question, I explained that many of us were unconsciously taught that self-sacrifice equates to love — the more we sacrifice, the more we demonstrate love for our family.

Dr. Valerie Young, in her exploration of impostor syndrome, identifies one of the five competence types as the “Superwoman.” This type emerged as a cultural construct when traditional stay-at-home mothers re-entered the workforce. The expectation that women could “have it all” evolved into the belief that they must do it all — perfectly.

This drive for perfectionism is an illusion that living in a state of exhaustion and high productivity defines our self-worth to others. But this isn’t true. It’s a learned behavior.

This is just one example of how ingrained beliefs are passed down through generations, often without us realizing their lasting impact.

So, ask yourself — whose beliefs are you operating from? Which beliefs hold you back from loving yourself, setting healthy boundaries, or showing the world your true, authentic self?

Are you ready to break free and say “Yes” to the freedom, joy, and fulfillment you deserve?

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Exercise: Healing Limiting Beliefs

To release limiting beliefs, take some quiet time to reflect honestly on these questions. Remember, this exercise is for self-exploration, not self-judgment and blame toward others.

Understanding your belief system and its origins opens the door to healing and transformation.

• What beliefs keep you paralyzed or have negatively influenced your life?
• How have these beliefs limited you?
• Where did these beliefs originate? Were they passed down generationally?
• Are these beliefs still true for you? Why or why not?
• Do you recognize that these limiting beliefs were based on others’ realities, not yours?
• How would your life change without these toxic beliefs?
• What lesson did these beliefs teach you, even if they were painful? Did they make you stronger, teach you to set boundaries, or walk away from disrespectful people?
• Are you willing to replace negative beliefs with empowering beliefs that reflect your true, beautiful self?
• Review your outdated beliefs and replace them with empowering “I AM” statements. This simple practice directs energy toward you, amplifying its power. Declaring “I AM” tells the universe you’re ready to receive.Examples: “I AM worthy.” “I AM successful.” “I AM deserving of the life I desire.” “I AM beautiful.” “I AM awakened to my new life, and everything flows effortlessly.”
• Once you’ve created your “I AM” statements, prioritize the top two or three. Recite each one out loud, allowing yourself to feel the emotions it stirs. Visualize it clearly—what does it look like? Feel like? What colors, images, or sensations come to mind? Write down your reflections, capturing each experience as it unfolds.
• Continue this practice and watch positive changes emerge in your life.