Core Beliefs Explorer
Understanding and transforming your deepest beliefs
Core beliefs are your most central ideas about yourself, others, and the world. They act like a lens through which every situation and life experience is seen. Because of this, people with different core beliefs might be in the same situation, but think, feel, and behave very differently.
Even if a core belief is inaccurate, it still shapes how you see the world. Harmful core beliefs lead to negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, whereas rational core beliefs lead to balanced reactions.
Core beliefs are often hidden beneath surface-level beliefs. For example, the core belief "no one likes me" might underlie the surface belief "my friends only spend time with me out of pity."
- • "I am weak"
- • "I am a loser"
- • "I am trapped"
- • "I am unlovable"
- • "I will end up alone"
- • "No one likes me"
- • "I am bad"
- • "I don't deserve to live"
- • "I am worthless"
- • "The world is dangerous"
- • "People can't be trusted"
- • "Nothing ever goes right"
- → Difficulty trusting others
- → Feelings of inadequacy in relationships
- → Excessive jealousy
- → Overly confrontational or aggressive
- → Putting others' needs above your own
- → Depression
- → Anxiety
- → Substance abuse
- → Difficulty handling stress
- → Low self-esteem
People are not born with core beliefs—they are learned.
Core beliefs usually develop in childhood, or during stressful or traumatic periods in adulthood.
Information that contradicts core beliefs is often ignored.
Negative core beliefs are not necessarily true, even if they feel true.
Core beliefs tend to be rigid and long-standing. However, they can be changed.
Keep asking: "If that's true, what does it mean about me?"
Continue until you find the deepest belief.
