How to Get Unstuck

Posted on December 6, 2014

Photo: flickr

A lot of fear comes down to our negative core beliefs : deeply held beliefs acquired some time in the past due to painful experiences. Becoming conscious and challenging these beliefs is the first step in the process of change.

For a moment, think about something you would really like to do or be right now but don’t feel able to. When you’ve got that, write it down. Do that now. Maybe you have always wanted to be an artist so write down “I am a capable and talented artist”.

The Trouble with Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations can give us a sense of safety and hope if we let them but at first you will probably feel they sound fake, embarassing or not right. No surprise there. If you have spent all your life bludgeoning yourself with negative beliefs such as "I am worthless" or "I am not good enough" or "I must be perfect to deserve success" anything else will sound unfamiliar and syrupy or cheesy . So saying to yourself "I am lovable just as I am" or "I am capable and confident" will surely sound untrue at first

Seek out the Monster in your Head

What s the cruel voice saying inside your head ? "so you’re ok as you are… ah ah sure you are!","who are you kidding?", "You are ugly", “You will never change" ,"You can’t do anything right" , "No-one will ever love you unless you are perfect", etc etc… You will be amazed at the rotten things you can come up with. Write them down. These are your personal negative core beliefs.

Become a Mind Investigator

Once you have written them down you can start having a good look at where these beliefs come from: Mom and dad? Your school bully? The boy/girl you were in love with when you were ten? Teachers that pushed you too hard? Your little jealous sister ? Scan your blurts for possible sources. Time travel back into your life in five year increments and list by name who influenced you the most in each block of time.
emember this is not about blaming or condoning, just understanding and distinguishing their beliefs from what yours would be if you hadn’t accepted theirs as true. If there is still a lot of emotional energy involved in recalling these memories you might have to release it first so you can forgive them and yourself and move on.

Keep in mind that it is also possible your negative beliefs may come from subtle non direct messages received from your environment or from an experience of something that happened to you where others were not directly involved.

Challenge the Critical Voice

Whatever your monster is, after it has been brought up to the light of day you can start working on challenging its critical voice and changing those negative beliefs that keep you stuck and unhappy. If you would like help with a practical cognitive behavioral approach to this, click the link and read this article about “how to get rid of negative core beliefs”.


Category(s):Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions

Source material from Experience Deeper Awareness