Imagine this..
Go on this brief thought journey with me. You just were let go from your job. Subsequently, you try to understand how and why this has happened to you. With limited information, you start to fill in the gaps with the following ideas: “I was not a great employee, so of course they let me go.” “I could have worked harder.” “I did not deserve to have this position.” “I wont ever find another role like that.” “I am not good enough to find another position”. *end thought journey*
this is part of my truth
Those exact thoughts went through my mind a few months ago. Without fully grasping the facts surrounding the shift in my role and employment, I created my own. Importantly, the thoughts were not based on feedback from a supervisor or co-worker. They were entirely my own and they were harmful to my esteem and damaging to my self-worth. As I write this, I have moved though these feelings and am upset that I allowed those thoughts to be primary. In short, I have more unlearning to do.
Fear in the body
The next time you catch yourself immersed in a limiting beliefs thought loop, see if you can tap in to your body and identify where in your body you are feeling the emotion. Is it a tightness in your chest? an awareness of your heartbeat? a dry mouth? a sudden headache? do you want to curl up into child’s pose? It may be some of those sensations or something entirely different, but tuning in and confronting the feeling is an important step. In addition, it also encourages greater physical body awareness.
As you explore the sensation, think about ways that you can honor the feeling and also return to a state of equilibrium. Find a comfortable seated position, take deep breaths, place your hands over your heart and your stomach, close your eyes and allow yourself to be in the moment. That sequence of events helps me get back to a grounded space. Feel free to give it a try!
If you can identify with this thought pattern, you may, like me, default in certain situations to limiting beliefs. You may be continually getting in your own way with negative self-talk. Thankfully, there are ways to work through this; ways to allow your love for yourself to overshadow the fear. On my youtube channel, I discuss a different example of my own limiting beliefs and part of the process for moving through the feelings. Below, is a challenge or exercise for you to do to help clear those thoughts. To use nature imagery, a way to clear the shadows or clouds of fear that are obstructing the affirming light in your life.
Clearing limiting thoughts exercise
- Identify a desired outcome that brings up fear, doubt, or limiting beliefs
- Fill in the blank: I want to clear limiting beliefs and doubts around ——-.
- Identify two or more limiting beliefs
- Thank the limiting beliefs for what they teach you or how they protect you
- Forgive yourself for carrying the thought
- Give yourself permission to honor the thoughts and move past them
Want to learn more about limiting beliefs? Dr. Tomi Bryan has a great worksheet on her site that follows these steps and also goes more in-depth about what limiting beliefs are.
I’m glad my words were able to reach you. all my love
