Self-Limiting Beliefs & Why They Keep You in Toxic Relationships

Everything you need to know about self-limiting beliefs, including overcoming them.

What Are Self-Limiting Beliefs?

We all have some self-limiting beliefs, even if they are only subconscious. But for some of us, they are blatant and in our face.

Examples of self-limiting beliefs:

• I can’t do that
• He/she is out of my league
• I don’t have time

Be honest. Have you caught yourself saying one of those phrases or something similar? I know I say I don’t have time often, but when I am honest with myself, I know I spend far too much time scrolling through social media and even reading articles here. I admit I get sucked in.

What Causes Self-Limiting Beliefs?

There are a range of things that cause self-limiting beliefs, but it is my experience, both personally and working with clients, that there are four main areas they stem from.

1. Past negative experiences
2. Fear of failure OR fear of success
3. Low self-esteem
4. Poor environment in childhood (lack of security)

Why Self-Limiting Beliefs Keep You in Toxic Relationships

You play small when you have self-limiting beliefs. You have low self-esteem, which causes you to believe you are not worthy or you are not good enough to attract someone who cherishes you. These are the stories you tell yourself, whether consciously or subconsciously.

Manipulative people can pick up on this. Especially, a narcissist sees your low self-esteem as an easy way to pull the puppet strings, so to speak.

It is critical to be self-aware. Listen to how you talk to yourself and notice how you treat yourself. Would you speak to your best friend or grandma that way? Would you treat them the way you are treating yourself? If not, then stop doing that to yourself. A manipulative person will take advantage of you, but they can’t when you take your power back and show them how you deserve to be treated.

How to Overcome Self-limiting Beliefs

I like to ask my clients a series of questions. I then have them journal the answers, and then we come back together and come up with an inspired action plan for how to move forward.

1. What is it you want to improve?
2. What limiting beliefs are keeping you stuck?
3. What type of reality do you want to create?
4. What beliefs do you need to support that new reality?
5. What will the new version of your reality look like? Describe it in great detail.
6. What is one small change you can make today to align with that new reality?

Final Thoughts

Small changes build momentum and give hope that allows you to see that you can accomplish what you desire. You just have to get started. Start small and set yourself up for success. Don’t tell people what you are doing, just do it.

Don’t get stuck and stay miserable in life because someone created the belief in you that you are not worthy, that you are not good enough, that you are not capable or strong enough. You are worthy; you are capable, courageous, strong enough, and more. Just believe in yourself. Change your past programming. Change the script and the way you talk to yourself.

I wish you the best. If you would like coaching, email me at [email protected]. Subscribe to my YouTube channel, where I share short daily videos on relationships, emotional intelligence, life tips, spirituality, and yoga.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate you so much.

Peace & Light,

Libby

I was fascinated by Trisha Faye’s story about reducing her sugar intake. How much sugar do you think you consume in a day?

Suresh Sangwan Saru wrote a wonderful article about listening more and talking less. I resonated with it, and I hope you do too.

✍ — Published by DR Rawson — The Possibilist at Dancing Elephant Press. Click here for guidelines to post click here.