The thinking part of our minds is ever present. Along with the ability to think and focus on specific topics, our mind has the ability to create beliefs about the self that contributes to the essence of our being. Core beliefs are an essential aspect of the psyche that contributes to an individual’s difficulty in mental health, especially when these beliefs are skewed in a negative context.
Defining Core Beliefs
Core beliefs are deep rooting beliefs that an individual holds to be true, and can have power over our self-esteem. These beliefs are categorized into three areas of thought. They are how an individual views themselves, other people, and the world around them. Think of a core belief as the lens through which you view yourself, others, and the world. It’s individual to the person and shapes your own experience.
Examples of Core Beliefs
While there are numerous irrational core beliefs an individual can have, there are some that are fairly common. Some common ones about the self include the beliefs of not being good enough, being a failure, and being unlovable. Common core beliefs about other people include; people being untrustworthy, people being judgmental, and being unliked by others. An example of a world belief would be the notion that the world is a bad and unsafe place.
Formation
Several factors contribute to the creation of a core belief. They typically are created in early childhood, but can shift and be created later in life. Factors including an individual’s dynamic within the family, friendships, and conditioning contribute to the foundation of a core belief. In addition, stressful experiences and traumatic events can contribute to the creation of core beliefs.
The Influence on Automatic Thoughts
The influence of our core beliefs are ever present. They are connected to our automatic thoughts, behaviors and emotions related to specific situations. Automatic thoughts are the thoughts that we have about ourselves, others, and the world around us, pertaining to specific situations. Automatic thoughts, specifically when in the negative light, are an essential guide to the discovery of an individual’s belief system.
Changing a Core Belief
The good news is, while core beliefs are central components to how an individual views themselves, others, and the world, they can be changed. Rational beliefs can replace negative or irrational beliefs. The first step is to identify which core belief is present, and which situations are activating it. Engaging in cognitive restructuring can aid in creating rational core beliefs. Cognitive restructuring is the act of challenging beliefs, deconstruction of the belief, and replacing it with a rational and more realistic belief. A simple example is restructuring the belief of being an unlovable person, to being a person who is loveable as they are.
While these beliefs are deep rooted, and create the foundation for an individual’s views on themselves, others, and the world around them, they don’t have to define you forever. In fact, they can be restructured to form a more rational and realistic belief system, even though they were created over a lifetime. To learn more about core beliefs and how they influence your daily life, check out this blog. If you are struggleing and are ready to seek counseling, give us a call. 832-352-1600. Also, you can contact us through our website.
