What Are Limiting Beliefs?Examples of Limiting Beliefs & How to Reprogram Them

Sometimes, the heaviest weight we carry isn’t visible to anyone else. It lives quietly inside, the small, persistent voice of the inner critic that tells us we’re not enough, that change feels out of reach, or that our dreams aren’t meant for us. These whispers shape the way we move through the world, often without us realizing it, chipping away at our confidence and self-worth.

So what’s really happening when your limiting beliefs take over? Those muted thoughts living in your subconscious mind begin to shape your behavior, often without your awareness. You become disconnected from yourself — a quiet form of self-abandonment.

These self-limiting beliefs are unspoken rules we’ve come to accept about ourselves. They create a mental framework shaped primarily by early childhood experiences or messages we internalized from others we looked up to.

These early impressions often shape how we think, feel, and respond as adults, leaving a lasting mark. And the ones that no longer serve us or the people we care about can quietly interfere with real connection and emotional intimacy.

Beliefs That Keeps Us Stuck

Our beliefs shape how we see ourselves and what we think is possible. The problem is, many of those beliefs were formed years ago, often from experiences or messages we never questioned. When we hold on to them, they quietly influence our choices, keep us in familiar patterns, and make change feel harder than it really is.

Many of these beliefs are tied to emotional blockages that stem from unresolved trauma, whether from a single major event or smaller experiences repeated over time, and can lead to limiting beliefs that shape how we think, feel, and behave.

When difficult experiences go unprocessed, they can show up later as resentment, tension, fatigue, emotional reactivity, unhealthy habits or self-sabotaging patterns largely linked to self-esteem that keep us stuck.

But here’s the hopeful part. With time and consistent effort, whether through therapy, life coaching, dedicated self-help, or by setting healthy boundaries, we can step beyond them. Boundaries are a powerful way to protect your well-being and begin shifting these patterns.

If you want to go deeper, I welcome you to explore my  Boundaries Tool, Sacred Space

How Limiting Beliefs Begin and Why They Often Go Unnoticed

I remember realizing that a belief I carried – “It’s not safe to speak up” or “I can’t trust myself to make the right choice”– was something I internalized very early on. My parents were young when they had me, and with the best intentions, they made most of my decisions for me. Even the small ones, like what to wear or eat.

Looking back, I can see that this limiting belief didn’t give me the space to build a sense of trust or inner authority in my own judgment or the confidence that comes from making choices and learning from them. I don’t hold this with blame, just awareness to give myself what I didn’t know I needed back then – permission to choose. My parents were doing their best, and I now understand how deeply that dynamic shaped my ability to feel capable as I grew.

These limiting belief patterns often go unnoticed because they feel so familiar. We assume they’re just part of who we are, and without awareness, they can lead to behaviors like blame shifting, deflection, or emotional disconnection, all of which reinforce the same patterns we’re trying to outgrow.

This kind of insight is where real change begins.

In this next sections we will talk about how to change limiting beliefs, explore some limiting belief examples that might resonate, and soften their grip on the subconscious so you can live with more freedom, acceptance for yourself, and confidence.

Understanding Limiting Beliefs: What Are Limiting Beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are thoughts or ideas we carry, sometimes for years, that quietly convince us that certain things aren’t possible for us. They are often connected to core beliefs, which are the deep, often unconscious ideas you hold about your worth, your abilities, and what you expect from life.

The limiting beliefs you have not harsh truths but rather shadows cast by past experiences, fears, or messages that may have once protected you, but are now outdated, likely no longing serving the woman you are today.

Maybe you’ve heard yourself think, “I don’t deserve success,” or “It’s too late for me to change.” These are limiting beliefs shaping how you see your potential and the actions you are willing or unwilling to take. They often show up as hesitation or quiet forms of avoidance.

The key is remembering that these beliefs are not facts. They are stories that can be rewritten.

Lasting change happens when your subconscious begins to believe a new outcome is possible, and your nervous system feels safe enough to support that change.

Common Limiting Beliefs: Examples of Limiting Beliefs

We all have a natural human tendency to internalize life’s disappointments and criticisms, which can reinforce limiting beliefs and make them feel permanent. At the same time, avoiding these discomforts often creates more suffering by keeping us from fully confronting them.

Over time, and through repeated patterns of avoidance, we become less attuned to our own emotions and to the emotional cues of others. This gradual disconnect affects our emotional regulation and leaves us relying on outdated coping mechanisms.

From here, this now-ingrained limiting belief blueprint continues to shape the subconscious, whether the input is positive or negative. The mind doesn’t differentiate.

This is why how we speak to ourselves matters. The subconscious doesn’t register negatives the way we think it does. Instead, t reinforces the very states we're trying to move away from. It responds best to clear, simple direction.

For example, when you say “don’t be late,” your mind registers “be late.” A better cue would be “remember to be on time.” Over time, the language you use can reinforce old beliefs or start to build new, more supportive ones.

There are some limiting belief examples that tend to appear again and again for many of us. Many of these show up repeatedly when people begin to explore what are limiting beliefs and how they’ve shaped their lives.

10 Limiting belief examples that may feel familiar to you

• “I’m not good enough.” Self-doubt and hesitation often hide behind this thought.

• “I’m too old (or too young) to change.” Age can feel like a wall if this thought is present.

• “I’ll never be successful.” Fear of failure can stop us before we even begin.

• “I don’t have enough resources.” Whether time, money, or support, it feels like there’s never enough.

• “I don’t deserve happiness.” Joy and fulfillment can feel out of reach when this thought takes hold.

• “I have to do everything perfectly.” Pressure and fear hold us back from moving forward.

• “Change is too risky.” Staying stuck in familiar patterns feels safer than facing the unknown.

• “I’m not worthy of love.” This often leads to settling for less or avoiding closeness.

• “I’ll never be able to overcome this.” Growth feels impossible when this thought dominates.

• “People won’t like the real me.” Fear of judgment makes us mask parts of ourselves.

  
  

These limiting beliefs shape our choices, often leading us to play small or avoid opportunities that could bring us joy and growth, keeping us feeling lost in life.

Is there one or two of these limiting beliefs that resonates with you? If there is, not to worry. Learn to rewire them with my free Masterclass in personal growth.

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Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: How to Break Free from Limiting Statements

The process of stepping free from limiting statements isn't always straightforward as they often manifest as stress, anxiety, disconnection or lack of self motivation.

How to change limiting beliefs begin by starting small and with compassion, curiosity and kindness toward yourself, to clear these emotional blockages. Think of these blockages like bike paths less traveled – overgrown with weeds and rocks. Meanwhile, your limiting beliefs are like the well-traveled paths your nervous system is used to following.

So instead, use clear and supportive language your subconscious can actually work with. Such as "I am" phrases or statements that offer your mind a direction, helping to create a calmer, more grounded internal state.

Supportive Statements to Overcome Limiting Beliefs

Intentional statements help shift old patterns and create space for new, empowering beliefs.

1. I am allowed to take up space and use my voice.

2. It’s safe for me to make decisions, even if I’m still learning.

3. I don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of good things.

4. I can trust myself to handle what comes.

5. Growth takes time, and I’m allowed to move at my own pace.

6. My past doesn’t define my capacity to change.

7. I am capable, even when I feel uncertain.

8. I deserve rest, ease, and support.

9. It’s okay to start small – every step forward matters.

10. I am open to believing something new about myself.

Step 1: Identify Your Limiting Beliefs

Start by tuning in to moments when you feel stuck or unsure. What thoughts tend to surface? Writing them down can help reveal the beliefs that have been unknowingly guiding you all this time.

Step 2: Reflect and Reframe Your Beliefs

Ask yourself:

Are these beliefs really true?

What would I say to a friend who thought this?

Can I find examples that contradict them?

If you believe “I’m too old to change,” consider times you learned or adapted in unexpected ways. Let that soften the belief.

Reframe limiting thoughts into ones that nurture growth. “I am learning and growing” feels different than “I can’t.”

Pay close attention to the negative patterns that keep recurring from these limiting beliefs. They often show up in how you feel and act. Supporting your journey with practices that nurture holistic well-being, such as mindfulness, breathwork, and movement, helps create the internal space needed for lasting change. Choose to process these emotional blockages instead of avoiding them.

Step 3: Replace Limiting Beliefs with Empowering Beliefs

Replace old stories with positive affirmations, and visualize yourself acting with confidence despite old fears to shift your mindset toward possibility.

Give your empowering beliefs a voice. Say them out loud, so that they start to feel familiar and believable.

It’s about reprogramming your neural pathways through repetition, gently building new patterns over time.

Example of Reframing Limiting Beliefs

Take the belief “I am not good enough.” Instead of holding onto that:

• Notice the feeling beneath it: “I’m scared of failing.”

• Reframe it: “I have space to learn and improve.”

• Affirm: “Each step forward is progress.”

This rewiring shift invites compassion and opens the door to new choices.

FAQs About Examples of Limiting Beliefs

What Are Limiting Beliefs?

Limiting beliefs are thoughts that hold you back or make you doubt yourself. They feel true but are learned and can be changed.

How Do Limiting Beliefs Impact Our Success?

They shape how confident and motivated we feel. Holding on to them can stop us from trying new things or reaching for goals.

How Can I Overcome Limiting Beliefs on My Own?

Start by noticing your thoughts, questioning what are limiting beliefs that no longer serve you, and replacing them with more supportive ones.

How Does Vanessa Marie Life Coach Help People Overcome Limiting Beliefs?

When I work with clients, we explore the limiting beliefs that may be shaping their thoughts and choices. Through thoughtful reflection, mindset tools, and steady support, I help them shift their perspective and take meaningful, grounded steps forward.

What Results Can I Expect from Life Coaching with Vanessa Marie?

When we work together, you can expect to feel more clarity, confidence, and connection to what truly matters to you. Clients walk away from 1:1 coaching with a stronger sense of self, new tools to support their growth, and the motivation to follow through on what they’ve been wanting to create.

Final Thoughts: Embrace Empowering Beliefs for a Better Life

Limiting beliefs can feel like part of who we are, but they aren’t. They are stories we can choose to rewrite — and that’s the power of belief. What we consistently tell ourselves shapes how we see the world, and what we believe becomes what we expect, pursue, or avoid.

Reprogramming your old stories and beliefs is possible!

Start by noticing one belief you have today. Just one to start. Then consciously establish one small new pattern and repeat it until it feels comfortable. This can take time to reshape your subconscious. See what happens when you invite curiosity and compassion instead of judgment.

Don't let anything stand in your way.

If you’re ready to shift deeper patterns and start living from empowered beliefs, I invite you to apply for a free discovery call. Let’s explore what’s possible together.

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