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
“It’s My Fault” — A Core Limiting Belief
You didn’t cause the chaos — but your nervous system learned to prevent it anyway. This belief tricks…
“I Am Unimportant” — A Core Limiting Belief
It doesn’t scream. It simmers — the feeling that your needs don’t count, your voice is optional, and…
“I Should Die” — A Core Limiting Belief
This isn’t about wanting life to end. It’s about believing your presence is the problem. Therapy can break…
“I Don’t Exist” — A Core Limiting Belief
This belief isn’t just about being ignored — it’s about disappearing from your own life. It fuels emotional…
“I Am Unattractive” — A Core Limiting Belief
“I’m not desirable.” This belief might whisper rather than shout, but its impact is deep. It fuels comparison,…
“I Am Not Whole” — A Core Limiting Belief
The belief “I Am Not Whole” doesn’t always show up in words. It shows up in the constant…
