What Are Limiting Beliefs And How Do You Start Releasing Them?

Have you ever caught yourself thinking…

“I’m not good enough.”
“It’s too late for me.”
“People like me don’t succeed.”

These thoughts might feel like truth but they’re not.
They’re limiting beliefs and they quietly shape the way you see yourself, your potential, and the world around you.

What are limiting beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are the subconscious stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what’s possible for us. They’re thoughts that keep us stuck, playing small or doubting ourselves, often without us even realising it.

They sound like:

• “I always mess things up.”

• “I can’t trust people.”

• “If I fail, everyone will judge me.”

• “I’m not smart / confident / worthy enough.”

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Where do they come from?

Most limiting beliefs are formed in childhood, shaped by our experiences, environment or things we were told (or not told).
They might come from:

• A teacher’s offhand comment.

• A parent’s high expectations.

• Being laughed at for expressing yourself.

• Watching others struggle and assuming you will too.

What starts as a way to protect yourself becomes a lifelong lens. Until you question it.

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How do they show up?

They can be sneaky. You might not hear them as loud thoughts, but you’ll feel their effects:

• Procrastination

• Perfectionism

• Self-sabotage

• People-pleasing

• Fear of being seen

• Staying in your comfort zone even when you crave more

You’ll know a limiting belief is active when your actions don’t match your desires.

So… how do you begin to overcome them?

Start with awareness. You can’t change what you don’t recognise.

Here’s how to begin:

1. Notice the Patterns
   What goals do you keep setting but not reaching? What excuses or fears pop up?

2. Name the Belief
   Ask yourself: What must I believe to be acting this way? Get curious, not judgmental.

3. Challenge the Story
   Is this belief absolutely true? Where did it come from? Who would you be without it?

4. Create a New Truth
   Replace it with an empowering belief, even if it feels unfamiliar.
   “I’m not good enough” becomes “I am enough as I am, and I’m allowed to grow.”

5. Take Small Aligned Actions
   Do something your limiting belief says you can’t. Prove it wrong, bit by bit.

   Limiting beliefs are learned. And that means they can be unlearned.

   You are not your doubts. You are not your fears.
   You are the one who gets to rewrite the story.