Shifting Our Core Belief: Understanding Our Worth

We’ve been reflecting on the concept of understanding our worth, and we wanted to share some thoughts with you.

In our society, many of us carry a limiting belief deep within our subconscious that we're not worthy. This belief manifests as a persistent feeling of "I don’t deserve it," no matter what we strive to achieve. This pervasive sense of unworthiness can significantly impact our lives, shaping our goals aspirations and overall mental health.

So, what does this belief set us up for? It creates a life of constantly chasing our worth. We set goals and tie our sense of worth to achieving them thinking that once we accomplish those goals we will finally feel worthy. However, this approach is flawed, once we achieve one goal another one takes its place perpetuating a cycle of endless striving and never truly feeling worthy. This cycle leads to stress, burnout and mental fatigue which many of us experience in our relentless quest for worth.

This endless pursuit of worthiness can be exhausting and disheartening. Imagine climbing a mountain, believing that once you reach the top, you will find the self-acceptance and validation you’ve been seeking. Yet, when you reach the summit you see another peak in the distance and the climb begins anew. This metaphor aptly illustrates how our pursuit of external validation can lead to a never-ending cycle of effort and exhaustion without ever providing the sense of worth we crave.

At Brave Spaces, we approach this differently. We believe in returning to the beginning and shifting our core belief from "I am not worthy" to "I am worthy." You are worthy simply because you are born and because you are here. When we move through life from this place of inherent worthiness, we can still set and achieve goals but our sense

of worth remains intact and unaltered, this perspective fosters a much healthier approach to self-worth.

By starting any journey or setting any goal from a place of knowing we are worthy, the focus shifts from proving our worth to simply experiencing the journey. Achieving our goals becomes about enjoying the experience rather than validating our self-worth.

Let's delve deeper into how we can shift our mindset:

Acknowledge the Belief

The first step in overcoming the belief of unworthiness is to acknowledge it. Recognise when these thoughts arise and understand that they stem from deep-seated conditioning, not from reality. This awareness is crucial in beginning the process of change.

Reframe Your Thoughts

Once you are aware of these limiting beliefs, begin to reframe your thoughts. Instead of thinking, "I will be worthy when I achieve this goal," start telling yourself, "I am already worthy, and achieving this goal will be an exciting experience." This subtle shift in perspective can have a profound impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

Embrace Self-Compassion

Practice self-compassion by treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. Recognise that everyone struggles with feelings of unworthiness at times, and it’s okay to have these feelings. Self-compassion helps to create a nurturing internal environment where you can begin to heal and grow.

Set Goals for Growth, Not Validation

Set goals that are focused on personal growth and learning rather than on proving your worth. When your goals are aligned with your intrinsic values and passions, the journey itself becomes rewarding. The achievement of the goal is then a bonus, not a necessity for your self-worth.

Celebrate Your Worth

Regularly remind yourself of your inherent worth. Celebrate your existence and the unique qualities that you bring to the world. This can be done through affirmations, journaling, or simply taking time each day to appreciate yourself.

Seek Support

Sometimes, shifting deeply ingrained beliefs requires support from others. Consider seeking the help of a therapist, coach or support group that can provide guidance and encouragement as you work to change your mindset.

Reflect on how you view your worth. Ask yourself: how many of my actions are driven by the hope of feeling worthy upon achievement? Embrace your inherent self-worth because you are worthy as you are. Whatever you want to do, you deserve it. Focus on the outcomes and the experiences, not on proving your worth.

By making these changes, you can begin to live a life where your worth is not contingent upon your achievements but is instead a fundamental part of who you are. This shift can lead to greater peace, fulfilment and joy as you navigate through life.

Be brave,

Step in,

Andrew