Stepping Out of the BOX: Time to Break free from the Norm
Transform Your Beliefs to Unlock Your True Potential
Have you ever felt trapped by invisible walls—walls that limit your potential and shape your beliefs? Today, I want to invite you to explore the "box" we often feel confined to, and how our beliefs, societal norms, and hidden prejudices like xenophobia can create barriers that stifle personal growth. This “box” dictates our actions, limits our self-expression, and keeps us from embracing who we truly are.
In this article, I’ll share insights and real-life stories to help you recognize and break free from these invisible boundaries. By challenging the status quo and reevaluating your limiting beliefs, you can step into a life of authenticity and freedom.
Let’s begin the journey of stepping outside that box and becoming your truest self.
My Ever-Evolving Box
If I had to name my box, I’d call it "The Universe"—vast, dynamic, and full of infinite possibilities. Inside, it’s adorned with Reiki symbols, astrological signs, and stars, each representing a piece of my spiritual journey.
The walls of my box are not rigid—they’re flexible and responsive. When I touch them, they stretch to match my desires, symbolizing my ability to adapt and grow. The box is transparent, allowing sunlight, moonlight, and stars to illuminate my path, representing clarity and openness to new experiences.
Scattered throughout are vibrant flowers, each symbolizing moments of growth, healing, and transformation—moments that define my work as a flower therapist. These flowers remind me of the nurturing energy that I strive to embody.
Whenever I need to invite change, a simple snap of my fingers opens a door or window, allowing new opportunities to enter. This is my space of potential, where I remain grounded yet open to whatever comes next.
My Old Box
Of course, my box wasn’t always like this. Years ago, it was clouded by a thick fog—one that hid my potential and kept me stuck in self-doubt. I didn’t even realize the fog existed until I began to ask myself deeper questions: Why is life this way? Who said it had to be? Why should I obey these limits?
By questioning and staying open to answers, the fog began to lift. As I cleared the mental fog, my inner glow started to shine more brightly, revealing that my box was not a limitation, but a space for infinite growth.
Deepening Our Understanding of Beliefs
What is a Belief?
A belief is a conviction that something is true. Beliefs are mental constructs formed from our experiences, influences, and perceptions. They act as our internal compass, guiding our thoughts and actions.
Most of our beliefs originate in childhood. As infants, we accept everything we’re told as truth. This is why we must be mindful of what we say to children—what we tell them becomes their reality, even if it seems far-fetched to us.
How Beliefs Are Formed
Beliefs are deeply rooted in our minds, often formed through:
Past Experiences: Repeated emotional experiences shape our beliefs.
Authority Figures: What we learn from parents, teachers, and society plays a huge role.
Confirmation Bias: Once beliefs are formed, we seek information that confirms them, reinforcing the cycle.
Invisible Loyalties: How Beliefs Keep Us Trapped
Beliefs can create “invisible loyalties” to our past, our families, and societal norms. These loyalties unconsciously shape our decisions and keep us stuck in patterns that no longer serve us.
Let me give you a personal example:
When I was young, my father called me the “grumpy face” of the family. This nickname stuck, and I started to internalize it. I believed it was my role to always be moody. Over time, I noticed I would feel angry without understanding why. One day, after laughing with friends, I felt my mood shift dramatically as I walked towards home. I couldn’t understand it at the time, but later I realized it was tied to an “invisible loyalty”—I thought that if I stopped being the "grumpy face," I would disappoint my father and lose his love.
This is how children think—they believe that by fulfilling a role, they earn love and acceptance. If you have children or nieces/nephews, pay attention to the labels you give them. Repeated phrases like “lazy” or “too quiet” can become their self-identity.
Common Limiting Beliefs That Keep You Inside Your “Box”
Here are a few examples of limiting beliefs that often appear in my consultations, and that I’ve worked through myself:
“I’m Not Good Enough” – This belief fosters self-doubt and prevents growth.
“I Must Live Up to Others’ Expectations” – This causes us to prioritize others’ desires over our own, leading to a life based on external validation.
“Change is Risky” – The fear of the unknown keeps us stuck in a fixed mindset, unwilling to embrace change.
“Success is for Others, Not Me” – This belief makes us feel unworthy of success and keeps us from pursuing our goals.
“What I Have to Say Doesn’t Matter” – This belief silences our voice and prevents us from sharing our truth with the world.
“Failure is the End” – This belief paralyzes us, preventing us from taking action for fear of failing.
“I Need to Make Sacrifices to Achieve Things” – This belief suggests that success requires sacrificing our well-being or happiness.
Time for Reflection
I invite you to visualize your own "box." How would you describe it? What beliefs are keeping you confined? Take some time to reflect on the limiting beliefs I’ve shared—or others that come to mind—and write them down.
The first step to transforming your life is questioning the beliefs that hold you back. Once you recognize these beliefs, you can begin the process of change and step into a more liberated, authentic version of yourself.
In next week’s article, I’ll dive deeper into shifting these beliefs and creating a new perception of yourself. But for now, take a moment to reflect and jot down the beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
And don't forget to listen to this week's episode of Versus – Harmony In Contrasts, where we discuss these very topics. Here's the link to get started.