3 Beliefs That Are Keeping You Stuck – And How to Release Them

The Cost of Proving Your Worth

I used to be the hardest worker in the room. It brought me success, or at least, that’s what I thought success looked like—outwork everyone, and they will see you, they will appreciate you, they will love you.

But what I didn’t realize was how much I was sacrificing to chase that approval.

Deep down, we all want to be seen, loved, and appreciated for who we are—but somewhere along the way, we’re told that’s not enough. We learn that we have to prove ourselves, perform, and push past our limits just to be worthy.

I lived most of my life like that, and let me tell you—it was exhausting. It left me burned out, empty, and feeling like a stranger in my own body. I had spent so much time trying to be what I thought others wanted that I had no idea who I actually was.

Does any of this sound familiar? Have you ever felt like you needed to do more, be more, achieve more just to feel worthy? You are not alone!

But you know what I learned? These beliefs are not facts—they are stories we tell ourselves based on what we were thought to believe, but they are not reality.  We can rewrite our story and choose beliefs that are benefiting us and are bringing us closer to who we want to be.

Here are three beliefs that kept me stuck for years and how I finally let them go.

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🔹 Belief #1: “I need to constantly prove myself to be worthy.”

💭 Why It’s Keeping You Stuck:

• If you believe your worth comes from what you do, not who you are, you will always feel like you have to do more.

• Rest feels unearned. You might even feel guilty when you’re not working.

• No matter how much you accomplish, it never feels like enough.

I spent years in this cycle—working 16-hour days, taking on the jobs of five people, never complaining. It got me a leading position at work, but when I finally burned out and made a mistake, my boss said something that hit me like a rock:

“Maybe you should work less and be more efficient.”

They didn’t see my sacrifice. They didn’t ask for it. And that’s when I realized—I was the one demanding it from myself.

Does this belief show up in your life too? Are you constantly seeking validation through achievements, feeling like you can’t slow down? Let's change that!

🛠 How to Release It:

✅ Reframe the belief: → “My worth isn’t tied to what I do—it’s who I am.”

✅ Practical Exercise: Try the Ho’oponopono technique, an ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Reflect on where this belief may have come from—was it something you were told as a child? A past experience that shaped your thinking? Then, in a quiet space, direct these four phrases toward the belief and any memories attached to it:

“I’m sorry.” (Acknowledge the burden this belief has placed on you.)

“Please forgive me.” (Request forgiveness for allowing this belief to hold you back.)

“Thank you.” (Show gratitude for the lessons this belief has taught you.)

“I love you.” (Send love to yourself, the past version of you, and the future version of you that is growing beyond this belief.)

Repeat these phrases aloud or in writing until you feel a sense of release. This practice is not about rushing through your emotions but giving yourself the space to process and heal.

✅ Affirmation: “I am open to the possibility that I am enough and I have enough.”

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🔹 Belief #2: “I need to be the best in order to receive love.”

💭 Why It’s Keeping You Stuck:

• You feel like you have to be “perfect” to be accepted.

• You put pressure on yourself to be what others want, instead of who you truly are.

• You feel like if you’re being yourself, people will not like you and leave.

I spent my entire life anticipating what others wanted. In relationships, I was always trying to be what they needed—constantly worrying about how I was perceived.

I wasn’t being honest with them or with myself. And the worst part? I was waiting for someone else to love me when I hadn’t yet learned to love myself.

Have you ever felt like you had to earn love and acceptance by being perfect? Like if you were just a little better, people would finally see and appreciate you? It's time to treat yourself with the love and compassion you're showing others.

🛠 How to Release It: 
✅ Reframe the belief: → “I am loved for who I am, not for what I achieve.”

✅ Practical Exercise: Write a Best Friend Letter to yourself. Imagine you are writing to a close friend who feels like they’re not enough and they're stuck in this belief that they need to be perfect in order to be deserving of love. What would you tell them? How would you remind them of their worth? Now, read the letter back to yourself and let those words sink in.
✅ Affirmation: “I deserve to be loved just the way I am”

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🔹 Belief #3: “I have to sacrifice my well-being to be successful.”

💭 Why It’s Keeping You Stuck:

• You push yourself past your limits, believing that success only comes through struggle.

• You feel guilty for resting, thinking it’s “wasting time.”

• You assume that slowing down means falling behind.

I thought I was doing everything right. Working more hours, saying yes to everything, making myself indispensable. But when I finally burned out, I realized that was not what I wanted. It was time for me to redefine what success meat to me.

That moment forced me to step back and see the truth—you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to be successful. In fact, when you take care of yourself, you do your best work. 

Do you ever feel guilty when you take time for yourself? Like you’re falling behind if you slow down?

🛠 How to Release It:

✅ Reframe the belief: → “I can be successful and take care of myself at the same time.”

✅ Practical Exercise: Boundaries Builder—List three things that drain your energy and three things that recharge you. Now, set one boundary this week to protect your energy—whether it’s stopping work at a certain time, saying no to something, or carving out intentional rest time.

✅ Affirmation: “I take time to care and nurture for myself.”

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Rewrite Your Story

These beliefs aren’t set in stone. They were learned, which means they can be unlearned.

It all starts with awareness—noticing the belief, questioning it, and replacing it with something that actually serves you.

If this resonated with you, know that shifting these beliefs is an ongoing journey—one that takes patience, self-compassion, and daily practice. The key is to give yourself grace as you rewrite the story you've been telling yourself.

You can find the exercises and affirmations in this post in Affirmation Journey Journal and Affirmations Clings - a guided tool designed to help you integrate these practices into your daily life. I created these guided journals and affirmation clings—to make this work feel more natural, integrated, and part of your daily life.

If you’re curious, you can explore them here: Affirmation Journey Products

I hope this gave you something to reflect on. Wherever you are in your journey, be gentle to yourself. Know that you're not alone—we're all in this together, doing our best every day.