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 Excluded” — A Core Limiting Belief
You don’t need to be left out to feel it. This belief wires you to expect exclusion —…
“I Am Unwelcome” — A Core Limiting Belief
You second-guess everything—even when you know the answer. The belief “I Am Stupid” often forms in environments where…
“I Am Alone” — A Core Limiting Belief
This belief isn’t just about solitude — it’s about not being able to trust connection. ‘I Am Alone’…
“I Am Unworthy” — A Core Limiting Belief
When you feel unworthy, nothing ever feels earned. This belief fuels overfunctioning, self-neglect, and guilt around rest, care,…
“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…
