3 Limiting Mindsets Keeping You from a Fuller Life
Mindset matters because it influences how you view yourself and the world around you. Checking to see if you have these 3 limiting mindsets can help you overcome them and reframe your life.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
The importance of mindset has long been acknowledged as an important factor in a person’s success and overall wellness. One of the things that heavily influences your mindset are beliefs, and limiting beliefs create limiting mindsets that keep you from living a happy and full life. Therefore, it is good to regularly check-in with yourself so you can recognise and overcome them. This self-awareness can help you understand how or why these limiting beliefs manifest and explore ways to shift your perspective. This allows for personal growth and eventually greater happiness.
As you read this post, reflect on each of the three limiting mindsets and ask yourself if they are keeping you from a fuller life.
I am not enough.
The pervasive belief that you are not enough can feel like an unwelcome shadow, following you wherever you go. This limiting mindset fuels feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem, keeping you from reaching your true potential. You might find yourself hesitating to submit your work, share your ideas, or pursue opportunities because you believe you’re not smart, talented, or worthy enough.
This is because the ‘I am not enough’ limiting mindset can manifest itself in self-sabotaging behaviours. As you continue to internalise this belief, it often triggers these actions (or inactions) that undermine your potential or prevent progress. For instance, you might procrastinate on important tasks, avoid challenges that could lead to growth, or create excuses that keep you in your comfort zone. Self-sabotage is often a subconscious way of protecting yourself from perceived failure. But in reality, this fear of failure and rejection only reinforces the belief of inadequacy because you get caught in a cycle and stay stuck.
There is unbelievable power in the way people you surround yourself with can shape your world. Best-selling author Stephen King threw away his first few pages of a draft. His wife retrieved them, gave the pages back to him and encouraged him to keep writing. Those first pages were from the iconic and ground-breaking horror novel Carrie. And although the book was rejected 30 times, it was published in 1974 and its popularity remains today. The gift of a supportive partner is one of the greatest to have because they can help you challenge the thoughts of not being enough. It is then easy to see how a belittling, unsupportive, and abusive relationship can reinforce limiting beliefs because you are hearing it from outside influences as well.
Advertisements prey on the lack and inadequacy fears of people, trying to emphasise them so that purchases increase. Social media heightens comparisons and living for likes and comments distorts perceptions of what is true and important in life.
The ‘I am not enough’ mindset is like a plague, infecting all areas of life you give it access to. So how can you change it to overcome it? It comes down to challenging the thoughts when they arise. You have to remind yourself that these thoughts are not rooted in reality, but rather a currently distorted perception of yourself. Counter the negative thought with a positive affirmation, acknowledging your strengths and reinforcing new beliefs. Journal your emotions and work through them to regulate them. Reach out to supportive friends and family who value you.
Celebrate your progress and focus on personal growth rather than perfection. Get comfortable not being the smartest person in the room by remembering the huge benefits of being in this position. Invest in yourself and your skills because competence breeds confidence. Lessen your time on social media, and embrace the belief that your worth is not defined by external validation but by your inherent value.
Recommended Read: What to Let Go Of and Embrace to Be Happier
2. I need to be liked by everyone.
Feeling like you need to be liked by everyone leads to becoming a people-pleaser, which drains your energy and compromises your authenticity. It is a natural human trait to want to be liked and accepted because we survived as a species through tribal and community living. It is needing to be liked that is both unrealistic and burdensome. You will begin to live for others and not yourself. Furthermore, constantly trying to please others leads to stress and feelings of inadequacy when you inevitably fall short of someone’s expectations.
To overcome this limiting belief, practice distinguishing between the healthy wish to build connections and the unhealthy need for approval from all. When you realise that no one can please everyone, you free yourself to live a life true to your values. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are and let go of those who don’t. By doing so, you’ll find greater joy and the confidence to make decisions that reflect your own needs and desires. Regularly practice self-care as a tangible reminder of your worth.
For more on understanding and overcoming people-pleasing tendencies, read Letting Go of Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Procrastination.
3. I can’t quit.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to walk away. Whether it’s a toxic job, an unfulfilling relationship, or a stagnant living situation, clinging to the idea that quitting equals failure can be a very limiting mindset.
Yes, persistence is admirable. There are many an illustration showing how close someone is to success but walks away, or the examples of people who never quit and became successful. However, staying trapped in harmful and detrimental circumstances is not the win you think it is. There can be lasting trauma and negative effects.
Knowing when to quit and when to walk away requires some self-awareness and reflection. When you leave a bad relationship, job, situation, and environment it is you choosing growth and personal peace. Trust yourself to make the right choice for your mental and emotional health. Seek environments that nourish your growth, even if that means starting anew.
Overcoming Limiting Mindsets and Establishing Healthy Mindsets
If you recognise you have one or more of these limiting mindsets, you have taken the first step on the journey of overcoming it and establishing healthier mindsets. It may be a long journey, but it will be more and more rewarding as you begin living a fuller life. As you change your thoughts, your actions and behaviours will also change. It is time for you to embrace growth, live more authentically, and trust your instincts and intuition.
When the thoughts of ‘not being enough’ creep in, shake them off and affirm your worth with affirmations.
When you catch yourself seeking validation from everyone, take a step back and focus on those who already love and appreciate you.
When faced with a situation that isn’t serving you, remember that quitting can be the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Give yourself the chance to grow by letting go and moving on.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to themselves and the world. Written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life, this blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards
Jordan
[ Updated in 2024]
Affirmation: I am enough as I am, and I am worthy of love, growth, and fulfillment.
Journal Prompts: What limiting belief do I need to release to move closer to living an authentic and fulfilling life? How has this belief impacted my actions in the past, and what positive changes could happen if I let it go?
To-do: Identify one limiting mindset that frequently surfaces in your thoughts. Write down three affirmations or truths to counter it and place them somewhere visible as a daily reminder.
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