Overcoming Limiting Beliefs by Kristy Mast
Jun 09, 2025
Have you ever heard the term, "limiting beliefs"? Psychology Today has this to say on the subject: "Everyone has self-limiting beliefs. They’re the perceptions and thoughts you have about yourself, others, and the world. And they’re self-limiting because these perceptions and thoughts are preventing you from doing something that you’re actually quite capable of doing (even though you don’t think you are!)."
I came face to face with one of my limiting beliefs as we were exploring El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. The kids spotted the Yokahu Tower Observation Point and immediately wanted to climb up to see the view.
My first thought was, 'I’m not sure the view is worth the torture I’ll have to put myself through to get up there…'
To my family, I said, "I'll wait here! Have fun!"
But then I caught myself, and realized something important.
I wasn’t the same person who couldn’t climb that tower a few years ago. Since then, I had been on a health and weight loss journey that left me stronger, more capable, and more confident. But apparently...my thoughts hadn’t caught up with my progress.
So I changed my mind. “Wait — I’m going with you!”
This photo is from the top of that tower. And you know what? I climbed it easily.
It made me stop and ask myself: How often do we let old, limiting beliefs keep us from stepping into who we are now? We do the work — we build skills, break habits, grow in courage and confidence. But if our mindset doesn’t evolve with us, we’ll keep holding ourselves back.
So today, I’m celebrating growth — not just physical, but mental, and I’m reminding myself of a few things (and maybe you too):
✅ You’re allowed to outgrow the old version of yourself.
✅ You don’t have to keep waiting at the bottom of the tower.
✅ Growth only works if we believe we’re capable of it.
You can overcome limiting beliefs, and it all starts with recognizing them when they rear their ugly heads. Start paying attention to your first thoughts when a challenge pops up. Analyze and evaluate if what you're thinking is true or not. You might be surprised how much your thoughts are holding you back.
Hi!
