At some point in our lives, most of us will struggle with thoughts and feelings that threaten to hinder our success and happiness.

Although we owe much to cognitive behavioral therapy for clarifying the important link between thoughts and feelings, another vital aspect of navigating our emotional world is understanding how our core beliefs continually affect the way we think, feel, and behave.

What are core beliefs?

Core beliefs include the ideas and assumptions we hold about ourselves, other people, and the world around us. They are deeply rooted beliefs that often lie beyond our awareness, yet continually affect our lives.


Here are some examples:

  • I am ugly.
  • Everyone else is better at their job than I am.
  • The world is full of selfish people.
  • Everyone only wants to take without giving.

These are all core beliefs. Our entire lives are shaped by beliefs like these within us and, most importantly, our core beliefs are sometimes wrong.

If you look at the examples above, you can imagine their effects. When you believe you are ugly, you will undoubtedly struggle with low self-esteem and confidence. If you believe everyone is better at their job than you are, you will inevitably feel small and unimportant. If you believe the world only wants to take from you, you will find yourself questioning other people's motives, confined to a negative view of the world and its people. This will affect what you contribute to the world and what you are willing to give and share.

Core beliefs affect your achievements and how you engage with the world in general. Negative and often inaccurate core beliefs—like the examples above—will significantly reduce your chances of finding joy and fulfillment in life.

What are your core beliefs, and are they true?

Here are some questions to help you recognize your views about yourself, other people, and the world around you:

Questions about yourself:

  • Do you believe you are confident, intelligent, beautiful, or ugly?
  • Are you good at your job? Are you a good parent or an interesting and lovable partner?
  • Do you notice judgment and criticism in the way you see yourself?
  • Do you believe you are better than other people?
  • Do you feel that you deserve love and happiness?

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Sebastian Mary


Questions about other people:

  • Do you believe other people are luckier than you?
  • Do they always get opportunities while you do not?
  • Are they all more intelligent than you?
  • Is life easy for other people but difficult for you?


Questions about your view of the world:

  • Do you use words such as “everyone” and “no one”?
  • Do you see the world as one large mass of people, or do you acknowledge its diversity?
  • Do you see only ugliness or beauty in the world?
  • Do you notice people's good actions as well as their bad ones?

Identifying your core beliefs

By thinking through some of these questions, along with others you can devise yourself, you can begin to recognize some of your deeply rooted inner beliefs.

To uncover more of your core beliefs, you need to start listening to the views you hold about yourself and others.

Notice your “inner dialogue,” as it is called in psychotherapy sessions.Are the words you use about yourself and others generally negative or positive? Do you celebrate your successes or focus on your failures? Do you look truthfully and honestly at what you do in your life and what others do?

To support this process, start writing down your thoughts as you discover your core beliefs.

Analyzing your core beliefs

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Marie-Chantale Turgeon

As you begin analyzing your core beliefs, ask yourself whether they are true.

If you discover negative core beliefs that are holding you back, consider where they might have come from. Do you hear the voice of a parent from your childhood? Do you hear the echo of a partner who discourages you and undermines your self-esteem? By finding the source of some of your core beliefs, you can change them. If you are genuinely struggling with this process, it may help to turn to a trusted friend or counselor for support.

Identifying and analyzing your core beliefs is not easy, but doing so helps you let go of negative and inaccurate patterns of thinking.

Core beliefs form the foundation of your life. They reinforce your way of living and directly affect how satisfied you are with your life. It is worth ensuring that your core beliefs present an accurate picture of yourself, other people, and the world around you. Your happiness truly depends on it.


Source: Harley Therapy

Images: 1, 2, 3