Core beliefs are our most deeply held assumptions about ourselves, the world, and others. 

We are not born with core beliefs they are developed from being an infant through to adulthood. As an infant we are wholly dependent on our parents and no matter how loving the parents are they make mistakes, they cannot be wholly attentive to the infant's needs 24/7. We also learn that some of our actions and words are not acceptable, and so we further absorb the message that we don't quite measure up and that we are not good enough. We develop core beliefs as a consequence. These core beliefs are not true but we need to explore them to see that for ourselves.  

 

1. Please complete the statements below. Do not spend a long time thinking about them; simply write what comes into your head. 

 

I am .............................................................. 

 

Other people are...................................................................... 

 

The world is................................................................ 

 

2. Now think about these three statements. How do they make you feel? When did you first become aware of these beliefs? Which experiences shaped them? Who in your life may hold similar views?