Understanding Core Beliefs

What are core beliefs and what does "belief system" mean?

Imagine core beliefs as something like a motherboard in your mind. They are coded and embedded in our minds from the day we are born and they have the singular power to shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.  Our core beliefs influence how we perceive ourselves and the world we live in. Most of us are not consciously aware of  the beliefs we hold, let alone the powerful influence they have on us. Understanding and learning to identify our core beliefs is a powerful step toward leading more fulfilled, secure, and happy lives.

 Beliefs that together make up a pattern are collectively referred to a 'Belief system'

How does our belief system form and affect us?

 Our belief systems develop from the instance we are born.

• We receive messages from all those close to us in the way they respond to everything we do - example - "Oh, you are such a sweetheart" or "what a naughty, useless child you are"

• We learn about ourselves through our experiences - example: "I keep falling of my bike and I can see others riding well…I must be bad at riding a bike"

 Before we know it, these beliefs become embedded or ingrained deep within us and we forget about them consciously. And they begin to guide how we feel and how we interpret all the things around us and influence how we behave in response to situations.

What are the types of beliefs?

There are two types of beliefs - Positive beliefs and negative beliefs.

Positive beliefs uplift and empower us. They are healthy beliefs. Examples of positive, healthy beliefs are:

" I can do anything I set my mind to"

" I am finding this assignment very difficult, but I know I have the ability to understand and do well in it"

"It doesn't matter if I just failed at this task, because I know I am smart and I can learn from this and do better next time"

"I know I am worthy of being loved and cared for and therefore will not tolerate being treated badly"

On the other hand, negative beliefs leave us feeling bad about ourselves and lead to feelings of unworthiness, low self-esteem and low self-respect. They block our ability to cope with difficult situations or to move forward in our lives, .

Examples of unhealthy, negative beliefs are:

"I am not good enough to go for that job"

"I am very stupid and incompetent, that is why he is always angry with me"

"I am not as smart as she is, or as pretty. That is why I don't have any friends"

" I am so clumsy, that is why I know I will mess up on this job"

"Nobody likes me"

Positive beliefs help you feel you can control your life and move forward, while negative beliefs lead you to feel you do not have the power to control your life and keep you feeling stuck in situations you do not want to be in (such as toxic or even dangerous situations).

It is normal to have a combination of positive and negative core beliefs.

If our beliefs are largely positive, we refer to having a positive belief system. If they are largely negative, we refer to them as a negative belief system. Negative belief systems are the ones that have the most damaging influence over our lives and mental health

Can I change my negative belief system?

Yes, with the right levels of support and a willingness on your part, you can change your negative belief system

Here are some key ways in which you can start to re-code your belief system to make it a healthier, positive belief system.

1. Commit to long term therapy work to start to get to know yourself better and identify your deeper beliefs.

2. Start consciously recognizing your beliefs by journaling daily about how you felt, acted, or behaved that day and identifying which belief may have influenced those experiences.

   1. Here is an example of a journal entry:

      
      

      Today, I was really upset with my friends at school (or work) because I felt they were criticizing me. I left while they were laughing at me. I thought they were laughing because they realized I was stupid, just like people used to do when I was younger. I feel so down right now.

   
   

3. Now, challenge that core belief with something healthier and positive. Using the above example, a challenge could be something like this:

   
   

   1. I sometimes think I'm not smart, but that's not accurate. I've accomplished a lot in my life. I succeeded in my recent project, made many friends, am a talented pianist, and was chosen for an amazing team. Perhaps it's incorrect to see myself as unintelligent. Those who made me feel that way in my childhood were likely mistaken and unkind. Reflecting on it now, I realize I'm actually quite intelligent and sociable and my friends at school (or work) weren't really laughing at me, they probably just saw something funny. This realization makes me feel good.

   
   

4. Keep referring to these journal entries whenever you find yourself starting to feel low again and keep challenging your negative beliefs.

   
   

Remember: Your view of the world and all of your experiences are entirely based on the beliefs you carry within you about who you are and how you interpret everything around you. And those beliefs can be replaced with healthy beliefs.

If you have a largely positive belief system, you will feel positive, have a healthy self esteem and be resilient

If you have a largely negative belief system, you will feel negative, have a low self esteem and be vulnerable to perceptions of criticism and judgements.

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If you enjoyed the content, please let me know. Also, feel free to send suggestions for topics you'd like to read about or any questions you might have.

Stay tuned for future blogs, where I will discuss various topics that affect our daily lives and emotions.

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Helpful resources within Australia

• Lifeline: 131144 – Crisis support and Suicide Prevention.

• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 – Anxiety, Depression, Suicide Prevention

• 1800 RESPECT: Domestic Violence Support and Resources