Limiting Belief Library
Identity-Level Patterns That Keep You Stuck
Your behaviours aren’t random — they’re wired by identity-level beliefs you may not even know exist.
At ShiftGrit, we call these limiting beliefs — deep-seated emotional patterns like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t matter.” They shape your self-perception, drive coping strategies like avoidance or overfunctioning, and often trace back to protective responses formed long ago.
This page is part of our Limiting Belief Library — a blog-style collection that explores how specific beliefs form, what patterns they trigger, and how we recondition them in therapy. Each belief reflects a deeper internal loop that shapes how clients respond to pressure, risk, and connection.
Looking for the full mapped set of belief patterns, schema definitions, and therapeutic pairings?
🔗 Visit our Core Beliefs Hub for the canonical index that powers our structured identity-level model.
By
“I Am Unappreciated” — A Core Limiting Belief
You give. You show up. You sacrifice. But it feels like no one notices. The belief “I Am…
“I Am a Burden” — A Core Limiting Belief
You don’t ask for help—even when you need it. The belief “I Am A Burden” forms in environments…
“I Am In Danger” — A Core Limiting Belief
Even when everything’s quiet, your body stays braced. The belief “I Am In Danger” forms in environments where…
“I Am Vulnerable” — A Core Limiting Belief
When you believe “I Am Vulnerable,” safety isn’t just a hope—it’s a constant concern. You brace for impact,…
“I Am A Horrible Person” — A Core Limiting Belief
You try to be good—but underneath, you’re convinced you’re not. The belief “I Am A Horrible Person” forms…
“I Am a Mistake” — A Core Limiting Belief
You weren’t just wrong—you were the wrong. The belief “I Am A Mistake” is one of the deepest…
