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How to overcome your subconscious limiting belief systems (and make your best artistic work yet). A thread:
1. Identify your limiting beliefs. This is a little tricky, because they're subconscious.
They’re folded up inside moments and memories that might not even be top-of-mind, but affected us deeply. Begin by asking: “What is something I WANT to do but don’t think I can?”
They’re folded up inside moments and memories that might not even be top-of-mind, but affected us deeply. Begin by asking: “What is something I WANT to do but don’t think I can?”
2. Pick one thing, and write it down.
For example: “I want to be an oil painter.” Or, more specifically, “I want to paint and *appreciate* the outcome of my work.”
For example: “I want to be an oil painter.” Or, more specifically, “I want to paint and *appreciate* the outcome of my work.”
3. Identify what negative belief system, or narrative, you’ve been operating from.
Are you telling yourself, “I can’t do this because I’m not a good writer”? Or “I’ll never make it as an interior designer”? Or “No matter what, I’m just not a good mom”?
Are you telling yourself, “I can’t do this because I’m not a good writer”? Or “I’ll never make it as an interior designer”? Or “No matter what, I’m just not a good mom”?
4. Write it down. Write the lie down. Give it some language. Name it.
This part sucks, but we can only work through these belief systems if we can actually pinpoint them and give them some tangibility.
This part sucks, but we can only work through these belief systems if we can actually pinpoint them and give them some tangibility.
5a. Identify the opposite. For example, “I’m not a painter” would shift to, “I AM a painter.” Or "I'm a great and innovative painter."
Or whatever sounds good to you, ya know?
Or whatever sounds good to you, ya know?
5b. The point isn’t to tell someone (or yourself) a lie, per se — it’s to call out a TRUTH that has *yet to be realized*.
It’s prophetic encouragement.
It’s speaking life over piece of your identity that has been put to death with a negative narrative.
It’s prophetic encouragement.
It’s speaking life over piece of your identity that has been put to death with a negative narrative.
6. Write it down. Write the new truth down.
7. Speak it aloud. Say it out loud, even if it’s awkward.
Scream it in your car. Give yourself an in-the-mirror pep talk so loud and fiery that your neighbors are jazzed to wake up at 6am for work on a Monday morning.
Scream it in your car. Give yourself an in-the-mirror pep talk so loud and fiery that your neighbors are jazzed to wake up at 6am for work on a Monday morning.
8a. Congrats! You’ve spoken life over this truth. You've planted a seed for healing. You're amazing.
Now, keep going. Keep speaking that new truth over you, day in and day out.
Now, keep going. Keep speaking that new truth over you, day in and day out.
8b. Changing your belief system is an intentional commitment. Yes, one moment is pivotal, and it’s a huge step to identify it and to name it, but healing will require investment over time.
(Some days will be harder than others. That’s okay. Keep going.)
(Some days will be harder than others. That’s okay. Keep going.)
9. Operate out of this new truth. Write it, speak it, live it like it’s true, because it is.
If yesterday you weren’t a painter, but today, you are, what are you going to do today? You’re going to paint, of course. Because you’re a painter now.
And you're a f*cking good one.
If yesterday you weren’t a painter, but today, you are, what are you going to do today? You’re going to paint, of course. Because you’re a painter now.
And you're a f*cking good one.
For more on limiting belief systems (an explanation, a story, and detailed insight), check out this week's article for artists on Medium: https://sophiesturdevant.medium.com/how-to-overcoming-your-subconscious-limiting-belief-systems-576a8282f3fb
