What are Your Beliefs about Yourself?

United States
August 29, 2009 11:17pm CST
One thing I have realized over and over in my life is how much we can carry beliefs about ourselves which affect our everyday lives, and these beliefs may not even be true. All of us at some point may have labels placed on us - by teachers, by parents, by a peer group, a boss, and in so many cases looking back many of these labels say more about the person placing them than us, yet it is us who carry them into our later lives. To give an example, I have always had a little voice in my head telling me 'you're lazy'. I believed this was the sort of person I was, despite evidence to the contrary - I worked my butt off at college and got a good degree, I have always worked hard to the point of perfectionism and, I suppose, having to prove myself, in all my jobs, I can NOT leave dishes in the sink....if anything I'm a bit of a frantic 'do-er'! But I realised this came from when I was at school. I had arthritis diagnosed at the age of ten, and this was quite severe in my teenage years, so I had constant pain. I had physiotherapy before school every morning. A particular teacher persisted in constantly making me feel like I was deliberately being slow - she was the PE teacher and I was signed off by the Doctor from doing some things physical, and she just made me feel like I was fat, lazy and useless. I absorbed this as a belief about myself and carried it for so long, but now I realise I was not lazy, I WAS TIRED!! And this woman - shes just a person, who doesn't get to decide my character! So, does anyone else feel they have held themselves back in any way by holding on to an erroneous belief about themselves?
2 people like this
3 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
31 Aug 09
Sad to say the beliefs I have about myself are negative, I am probably my own worst enemy, I am so damn hard on myself, I guess the early triggers were bullying at school, teachers telling me I was useless, and not giving me the help I needed, bullies telling me I was fat, dopey and ugly, well they stuck throughout my teens, twenties and thirties, I believe I am a victim, vulnerable and have a lack of self esteem all these attributes I believe are attractive to bullies and control freaks, so whilst I don't value myself it comes across through the vibes and the unconfident manner at which I hold myself. I was ignored, tolerated or even treated as invisible that has a great affect on you, it lead to a nervous breakdown, being diagnozed with both clinical depression and BPD (borderline personality disorder) I have great trouble with my self esteem. I am seeing a therapist and I am working hard to get myself strong again, but all I hear are these negativity tapes playing in my head that I am dopey, ugly and even fat. Despite losing tonnes of weight through the gym, I still feel fat. I am angry and I am unhappy and unless I can believe in myself and move on I will always be held back by the past and what people have done to me because I have let them, now it's left me suspicious, paranoia and mistrustful of people totally, hence the BPD. Thank you for your discussion. I am aware of my problems and I am reaching out, but it takes time. I am still looking for the light at the end of my deep tunnel I call life.
• United States
1 Sep 09
Thanks for commenting - your story sounds a lot like some of mine, in terms of self esteem issues, weight etc. I had bulimia for around 12 years. There was a time when I didn't believe anything could get better, and I still struggle but some things have changed and I don't think I will ever completely go back where I was.
• China
30 Aug 09
Yes.Everyone in life has its own beliefs!Believe that faith,they will think what can be done.If he fails and do not take too much notice.Drawing lessons and continue to adhere to.Maintain a healthy nature.It will always have hope that in front.Insist that it is a force,while the conviction is even more sacred.
• United States
31 Aug 09
Thanks for your response! I like what you said about drawing lessons....that is the point really, not that we have everything right and sorted all the times but that we take the lessons from our experience and use them to move onwards.
• Philippines
10 Oct 09
hello, Not just what people think of you but what do also do to you to destroy your confidence and strength to move on. it has almost happened to me my entire life but after a few st backs i was able to pull-myself together but it still wasn't enough. till this day am still struggeling to turn back the tide and raise myself.