Do you often find yourself being pulled down with fear and a sense of not being 'good enough'? Do you often doubt yourself in areas where you shouldn't? Such feelings might be a part of your personality or may be a sign that they are rooted in something deeper - your core beliefs.
Core beliefs are more flexible than you might believe. Fortunately, there are effective therapies like Compassionate Inquiry Therapy (CIT) rooted in compassion and empathy that can help alter these fixed viewpoints.
Keep reading to know more about your core beliefs, what shapes them, and how holistic therapies like CIT can help you transform your core beliefs and create a life that is fulfilling and easier to navigate.
In this article:
Core Beliefs – What exactly are they?
How are Core Beliefs formed?
Common and Relatable Core Beliefs
The ripple effect on life decisions and relationships
Using CIT to Transform Core Beliefs
How does CIT help in belief transformation?
Core Beliefs - What Exactly Are They?
Core beliefs are the ideas or notions you hold about yourself, others, and the world around you. But they're not in your consciousness - they are deep in the unconscious part of your mind. So deep that most of the time, you may not even realize that they're there. Yet they play an important part in shaping your personality, how to react in certain situations, how you handle emotions, and quietly shaping your worldview.
Simply put, picture your core beliefs as the 'unseen rules' your mind makes you follow. They are the invisible lens through which you see every aspect of your life and the world around you.
It's been more than 4 years since COVID happened and brought the entire world to a stop. The fear of getting COVID and dying was so real that people who survived the calamity started having symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, a study conducted to understand the role of being positive and the symptoms of PTSD showed that positivity might be protective against COVID-19 and might reduce the risk factors of PTSD. This emphasizes that a positive mindset or core beliefs can help you tap into a ‘chakra’ that is safe and nourishing for your mind and body.
How Are Core Beliefs Formed?
The beliefs you unknowingly carry in your mind stem from childhood influences and life experiences. Let's look into how core beliefs are formed in the first place:
Childhood Influences
Your early years experiences shape your personality and determine the kind of person you will become in the future. The nurture part of your childhood that includes responses from parents, peers, and others eventually fixates beliefs in your mind. For instance, if you were always praised for your achievements in your childhood, you would develop a belief that you are intelligent and capable. Likewise, if you were neglected and criticized as a child, you would make yourself believe that you are unworthy of love.
Key Life Experiences
Belief systems formed in the early years continue to develop over the years. These early beliefs follow you into adulthood and alter your way of seeing the world in ways you might not even recognize. Your life experiences, any traumatic event in your life, or even a happy moment can confer your initial beliefs. For example, if you ever felt hopeless and powerless at a certain point in life, you might think the world around you is merciless. A study even proved how certain core beliefs can induce specific behaviors in you. For instance, children with parents who used to hoard are now opting for a ‘minimalist’ lifestyle.
Common and Relatable Core Beliefs
Here are some common examples of negative core beliefs and how they might manifest:
I'm not good enough. You fear failure and avoid taking risks, and when you do, you end up over-criticizing yourself. You may also need constant validation from peers.
People can't be trusted. You might be struggling to maintain your interpersonal relationships.
The world is not a safe place. You always prepare and hope for the worst, taking every step and decision with too much caution.
I don't deserve to be loved. You push away people who genuinely love you because you fear that they'll eventually leave in the end.
The Ripple Effect on Life Decisions and Relationships
Your core beliefs affect more than just your inner world; they also influence your self-esteem, career direction, and relationships. Here's how:
Career Paths - Beliefs such as "I'm not smart enough" may drive you to settle for positions below your potential or avoid pursuing your ideal profession.
Relationships - If you believe "I'm unworthy," you may tolerate terrible treatment from others or struggle to ask for what you want, resulting in unsatisfactory relationships.
Life Choices - Beliefs about safety or trust may force you to avoid travel, new activities, or meeting new people, resulting in missed opportunities for satisfying life experiences.
Using Compassionate Inquiry Therapy (CIT) to Transform Core Beliefs
Compassionate Inquiry Therapy (CIT) is a trauma-focused therapeutic approach that helps you investigate and modify the deeply ingrained ideas that shape your life. CIT works by gently directing you to the root causes for limiting core beliefs, which are frequently created as a result of prior trauma or challenging situations. The therapy, embedded in compassion and empathy, helps you unveil how these beliefs have influenced you over time. It enables you to rethink negative beliefs and replace them with ones that promote your personal growth and well-being.
How does CIT help in belief transformation?
CIT is an evidence-based approach that has helped many isolate their negative core beliefs and unlock their full mental and physical potential. With the certified and well-trained therapist at …, you’ll also be able to isolate your core beliefs that you no longer serve and break out of the shell that’s stopping you from being your true self. Here’s how CIT works:
Uncovering Hidden Beliefs
CIT uses specialized questioning and mindfulness strategies to assist you in becoming aware of beliefs that you may unknowingly possess. This awareness is critical to healing, especially because it is difficult to change something you cannot even perceive.
Rethink Negative Beliefs
Once a belief is identified, CIT helps you uncover its origin, supporting you in realizing that it may no longer be true or useful. With this new viewpoint, you may start changing your old mindset into something more empowering, like changing "I'm unworthy" to "I am deserving of love and respect."
Creating Lasting Emotional Shifts
CIT supports both mental and emotional healing by addressing your core concepts and releasing associated emotions, resulting in a sense of inner peace and freedom.
Remember, you’re lucky to realize that you need help. It’s the first step, and with the right guidance rooted in compassion, you can identify and uproot the limiting core beliefs in no time.
If you’re ready to give yourself another chance, change your worldview, and form a positive core belief system, now is the time to do so. Book an appointment to start your transformation journey with CIT now!
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