Understanding Limiting Beliefs
Have you ever felt like something invisible is holding you back from living the life you truly want? Maybe it's that voice in your head that says, "You’re not good enough," or "You’ll fail, so why even try?" These are examples of limiting beliefs — deep-seated assumptions or negative thoughts we hold about ourselves and our potential. Often rooted in past experiences, societal norms, or learned behaviors, limiting beliefs can cloud our sense of possibility and keep us from pursuing our dreams.
While everyone has limiting beliefs, the key to overcoming them is awareness and intentional reframing. When we identify and challenge these thoughts, we can replace them with new, empowering beliefs that support our growth. In this post, we'll dive into what limiting beliefs are, why they’re so common, and share practical examples with powerful reframes to help you take steps toward a more fulfilling life.
What Are Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs are restrictive thoughts that we accept as truths, even if they’re untrue or exaggerated. These beliefs often lurk beneath the surface, influencing our choices, actions, and self-perception. For example, someone with a limiting belief like *“I’m not smart enough”* may avoid challenging opportunities because they’ve convinced themselves they’ll fail. Over time, these beliefs can restrict growth, happiness, and fulfillment.
Why Do We Have Limiting Beliefs?
Limiting beliefs often develop from past experiences—especially those involving fear, failure, or criticism. They may also come from societal conditioning or family expectations that tell us what we *should* be like or what we *can’t* do. As children, we’re particularly vulnerable to absorbing these messages, which can then carry into adulthood. The good news? Once you become aware of your limiting beliefs, you have the power to reframe and replace them with positive, supportive ones.
Common Limiting Beliefs Examples and How to Reframe Them
Below are ten common limiting beliefs examples that may sound all too familiar. Alongside each one is a reframe — an alternative, empowering thought to help shift your perspective. The key to making the reframe work is to believe it on some level — I hope the ones I've provided do just that but you may need to improvise depending on what your inner mind is saying as you read them!
Limiting Belief: “I’m not good enough.”
Reframe: "I am constantly growing, and each step I take brings me closer to my goals."
Why This Works: Rather than focusing on perceived inadequacies, this reframe highlights that growth is a journey and celebrates every step forward.
Limiting Belief: “I don’t have the time to do what I love.”
Reframe: "I can prioritize what matters to me and make time for things that bring me joy."
Why This Works: By emphasizing choice and prioritization, this reframe shifts the focus from scarcity to intention.
Limiting Belief: “I’ll never be successful because I don’t have [specific skill/experience].”
Reframe: "I have unique skills and experiences that bring value, and I’m capable of learning what I need to succeed."
Why This Works: This reframe reminds you that success is about growth and adaptability, not perfection from the start.
Limiting Belief: “People will judge me if I try and fail.”
Reframe: "Trying and learning are more valuable than never acting. Growth comes from effort, not perfection."
Why This Works: This reframe focuses on learning and growth, creating space for self-compassion and resilience.
Limiting Belief: “I don’t deserve to have what I want.”
Reframe: "I am worthy of pursuing my dreams, and I deserve happiness and fulfillment."
Why This Works: This new belief reinforces your inherent worthiness and right to pursue a meaningful life.
Limiting Belief: “I’m too old (or too young) to start something new.”
Reframe: "Age is just a number. I have the passion and capability to pursue new goals at any stage of life."
Why This Works: This perspective challenges the idea that age defines capability, focusing instead on passion and determination.
Limiting Belief: “I don’t have enough money to do what I want.”
Reframe: "I can find creative ways to fund my goals and take small steps to bring them closer to reality."
Why This Works: By focusing on creative solutions, this reframe moves away from scarcity and opens up possibilities.
Limiting Belief: “I always get things wrong; I’m not smart enough.”
Reframe: "Mistakes are part of learning. Each one helps me gain experience and become wiser."
Why This Works: This reframing normalizes mistakes as a learning tool, reinforcing that growth and improvement come through experience.
Limiting Belief: “I don’t have support from others.”
Reframe: "I can seek out people who uplift and inspire me, and I am capable of supporting myself too."
Why This Works: This belief reframes isolation into opportunity, recognizing that we can create our own support network.
Limiting Belief: “It’s too risky to pursue my dreams.”
Reframe: "Taking thoughtful risks is part of growth. I can plan and take small steps to move forward confidently."
Why This Works: This reframe focuses on risk as a necessary component of growth, empowering you to move forward in manageable steps.
Tips for Identifying and Reframing Limiting Beliefs
Now that we’ve gone over some examples, here are practical tips to help you recognize and reshape limiting beliefs:
- Practice Self-Reflection: Pay attention to negative thoughts, especially those that start with phrases like “I can’t” or “I’m not.”
- Challenge the Belief: Ask yourself, *"Is this true? What evidence do I have?" Often, you’ll find that limiting beliefs don’t hold up under scrutiny.
- Use Reframes Daily: Whenever a limiting belief surfaces, practice countering it with your chosen reframe. Over time, these new beliefs will start to feel natural.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Changing beliefs takes time, so celebrate each step forward, no matter how small. This reinforces progress and builds confidence.
Bringing It All Together
Limiting beliefs may be a natural part of life, but they don’t have to define you. By bringing awareness to these thoughts and intentionally reframing them, you can break free from self-imposed boundaries and open yourself to new possibilities. Remember, growth is a journey, and each step you take toward self-awareness and empowerment leads you closer to the life you truly desire.
So, the next time a limiting belief sneaks into your mind, pause, reframe it, and take one step forward. Over time, these new beliefs will create a foundation for a life filled with possibility, confidence, and fulfillment.
Looking to Uncover Your Limiting Beliefs?
If you want to uncover and rewrite your limiting beliefs, consider our manifestation journaling course, Magic Moments. This course is all about transformation, designed for anyone wanting to bring more alignment, clarity, and confidence into their life. It begins with a future-self visualization, which we then break down into achievable intentions. Through different prompts & exercises, we then identify and work through any limiting beliefs holding you back, all while using my simple and effective journaling method to turn your vision into reality. This course is the perfect way to end or start the year, reconnect with yourself and your future self, and create a life of true alignment.
Looking for the perfect journal to start your journaling practice? Look no further than ours, which I've designed to be quick, easy-to-use and flexible — and get you results!. You can check out our journals here.
