This week we are talking all about Core Beliefs and how they form our thoughts and influence how we interpret our experiences. This is something I deal with a ton in my practice and wanted to shed some light on it based on your feedback! Now you may be asking yourself, what is she talking about? What are Core Beliefs?
Don't worry, I got you covered… Core beliefs are the thoughts and assumptions we hold about ourselves, others and the world around us. These are deep-seated beliefs that often go unrecognized yet, they constantly affect our lives. A central theme in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is that our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are closely related. Our thoughts affect how we feel and what we do; our feelings affect the way we think and act, and our actions affect our thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes core beliefs are wrong and affect us negatively. Good news is you, yes YOU, can change them around if you follow this simple 5 step process.
Identify your core beliefs. Where in your body do you feel them?
Accept your feelings.
Replace your old truths with new ones.
Repeat them to yourself.
Put your new beliefs into practice.
That's it. It's that easy!
Core beliefs around love and security are usually formed by the time we are four. What happens to us as children, creates a roadmap of who we are going to become. Change is possible. We can reparent ourselves and give ourselves what we might have needed.
I am telling myself “It's okay Anna. You don't need to be perfect. You can make mistakes, have melt-downs and be shy, but still be successful in your life."
I challenge all of you to think about what would you go back and tell your 4-year-old self?
As Dr. Gabor Mate puts it so nicely, "Anything that is wrong with you, began as a survival mechanism in childhood."
Just remember, you CAN give yourself what you lacked in your childhood and change around your core beliefs!
Until Next Time!
- Anna Sherman, RP, MFT
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