Rewrite The False Beliefs That Are Blocking Your Breakthrough
All of us carry a story. Not the one we share with the world, not our bio, not the short and polite script we spew out when meeting a new stranger, but the deep internal narrative we tell ourselves about our worth, our work, our purpose and our place in the world. These tales shape everything; how we feel about ourselves and others, how we approach our calling, what risks we’re willing to take, what opportunities we believe we’re entitled to, and ultimately what we’re able to achieve.
The most forceful constraint on your potential isn’t market saturation, it isn’t your competition, or even a lack of resources. It’s the story you’re telling yourself about what’s possible.
Often the top priority of the narrative we’ve subscribed to is protection and self preservation, we behave the way we do to prevent suffering, we live the life we live to stay safe from disappointment or failure.
Yet inevitably these protective stories become restrictive barriers, they limit our growth and hinder our impact in ways we rarely consciously recognize.
Lucky for us though, stories can be rewritten.
The Stories That Hold Us Back
"Everything worth creating has already been done"
I mean sure, yes, certainly everything has already been done and said but it hasn’t been delivered from your unique perspective yet. Even in crowded spaces, your experience and insight creates something new.
Reframe: “My unique perspective adds value to the conversation. There's room for my voice. No one else has lived my experiences or sees the world exactly as I do."
"I need to be completely original to be valuable"
The pressure for absolute originality can be paralyzing. Remember that innovation can come from novel combos or perspectives on existing ideas, rather than something entirely new from nothing.
Reframe: "Innovation happens when I combine existing ideas in new ways. My value comes from how I connect, remix, and build on what already exists."
"I'm not a real artist/writer/creator until ____"
Many creators fall into the trap of moving goalposts, believing they'll only be "real" after reaching certain milestones, credits, status, or titles, leading to perpetual impostor syndrome regardless of achievements.
Reframe: "I am a creator from the moment I create. My identity isn't contingent on external validation or arbitrary milestones, it's defined by my commitment to the creative process."
"My success depends on external validation"
Relying solely on others' approval leads to vulnerability to criticism and an output built for algorithms or critics, rather than your authentic expression.
Reframe: "External validation is a bonus, not a necessity. My primary measures of success are whether I'm growing, learning, and staying true to myself and my creative vision."
"I must wait for inspiration to strike"
This belief gives your power away by surrendering creative control to an unpredictable and mysterious muse-force rather than developing the skills and habits required of a consistent creative practice that generates quality work regardless of initial inspiration.
Reframe: "Inspiration is cultivated. Consistent creative practice creates the conditions where inspiration can routinely find you."
"If I'm not naturally talented, I'll never succeed"
This mindset ignores that most creative skills develop through practice and persistence rather than innate ability.
Reframe: "Skill is built through deliberate practice. Every expert was once a beginner who refused to quit."
"I must be good at everything in my creative field"
This prevents collaboration and leads to spreading yourself way too thin rather than focusing on your strengths while partnering with others who are inspiring and elevating.
Reframe: "My strength lies in what I do best. I can collaborate with others who complement my skills, creating something greater than what any of us could achieve alone."
"If my work isn't perfect, it's worthless"
Perfectionism keeps many creators from finishing their work or sharing it with the public, preventing meaningful connection and growth through feedback and iteration.
Reframe: "Done and shared is better than perfect and hidden. Every piece I complete teaches me something that makes the next one better."
"Successful creators don't struggle like I do. They have it easy, it was just handed to them."
This misconception ignores that most successful creators face the same doubts, blocks, and challenges but have learned to work through them. Hold some humility and remind yourself you don’t know what that person’s personal process, challenges or journey look like.
Reframe: "Every creator faces challenges. The difference is that successful creators have learned to work despite uncertainty, not because they've eliminated it."
"My creative work is frivolous compared to 'real' jobs"
This diminishes and demeans the cultural, emotional, and social value of creative work, often leading to undercharging or overworking to over compensate.
Reframe: "Creative work shapes culture, sparks innovation, and enriches human experience. What I create matters and deserves to be valued appropriately."
Practice Owning Your Story
Recognizing these beliefs is the first step toward reframing them with empowering angles. But awareness alone isn't enough, challenging and rewiring self-limiting beliefs requires a dedicated daily practice.
Start by catching the old shitty stories when they surface. Notice the physical and emotional sensation of restriction, frustration, defeat. Notice the way your energy shifts when you tell yourself you're not good enough or that your work doesn't matter, or that nobody wants you to succeed. These moments of conscious recognition are your opportunities to choose a different path.
The most successful creators aren't those who never doubt themselves, they're the ones who have learned to keep showing up when doubts try to take control. Their limiting beliefs might be loud obnoxious passengers, but they refuse to let them run the show. They've developed the skill of consciously steering their story; sometimes taking a sharp turn onto the pragmatic route, sometimes speeding along the optimistic highway, but always choosing the direction that serves their creative destination rather than letting fear-based assumptions drive them into the ditch.
Your creative journey is a story you're writing in real time, right now! Every day, every project, every challenge is a chance to whip up a new chapter. You can choose to be the hero of a story about growth, courage, and authentic expression, or you can remain a forgettable and sullen supporting character in a story about regret, limitations and fear.
Some days the old stories will feel more compelling or comforting than the new ones. That's just regular human stuff. What matters is your commitment to continue rewriting, to remember you have the choice to opt-in to the story that serves your highest good.
Remember: you're not just creating art, content, or merch. You're creating yourself. Every time you choose courage over comfort, growth over safety, and authenticity over approval, you're writing a story that others will want to read, follow, and be inspired by.
Trust that the world needs what you have to offer.