You’re Not Broken: The Power of Understanding Your Core Beliefs

Written By Nicole Niedfeldt, LPCC

Have you ever noticed a pattern in the way you talk to yourself? Maybe it’s subtle—“I’m not good enough,” “I can’t handle this,” or “If I need help, I’m weak.” These quiet thoughts can feel like background noise, but they often reflect something deeper: your core beliefs.

At Awakened Path Counseling, we often explore how early experiences shape the internal messages we carry into adulthood. These beliefs aren’t facts—they’re stories we’ve learned to tell ourselves to make sense of the world.

What Are Core Beliefs?

Core beliefs are deeply held assumptions we have about ourselves, others, and the world. They often develop in childhood, shaped by our environments, caregivers, traumas, and repeated life experiences.

Some common negative core beliefs include:

  • “I’m not lovable.”

  • “I’ll always be rejected.”

  • “I have to be perfect to be safe.”

These beliefs may once have helped you survive or stay connected—but now, they might be holding you back.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Human

In therapy, we explore these beliefs with curiosity, not judgment. Using approaches like CBT, ACT, and mindfulness, we help clients recognize the narratives that no longer serve them—and begin to write new ones.

You don’t have to fight your mind. You can learn to work with it.

A Gentle Practice to Begin

Take a moment and reflect on the following:

“When I’m struggling, what do I tend to say to myself?”

Try writing down the most common self-critical thoughts. Ask yourself:

  • Would I say this to someone I love?

  • Where might this belief have come from?

  • Is this belief absolutely true?

This is the first step toward healing—awareness.

You Deserve Compassion, Not Perfection

Healing isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about reconnecting with who you already are underneath the pain and pressure. You’re not broken. You’ve been adapting, surviving, and doing the best you can with what you’ve learned.

If you’re ready to begin exploring your story and reshaping your beliefs, I’m here to walk with you.

Nicole Niedfeldt, LPCC