Firm foundations

Becoming more aware of the subconscious beliefs you built as a child, and continue to construct, can help you keep your internal house in order

‘If it’s hysterical, it’s historical,’ is a quote that has done the rounds on social media in recent years. While the statement doesn’t stem from academic research as such, it is one that sheds light on an interesting topic: your subconscious. As the statement alludes to, people’s most emotional reactions aren’t always caused by the situation itself, but instead trigger something inside from the past. Often this is due to a subconscious belief. Everyone has a set of subconscious beliefs – both negative and positive – and these shape your thoughts and how you act, often without you realising it. However, these beliefs aren’t static, and once you identify your subconscious system, you can use it as a powerful tool for positive change.

Built from the ground up

Nino Sopromadze, an existential psychotherapist based in London, describes subconscious beliefs as ‘deeply ingrained assumptions you hold about yourself, others and the world around you’. These beliefs often sit outside of your conscious awareness, yet they quietly shape how you think, feel and respond to life. Over time, she says, ‘they can become a way of operating, a background structure you rarely question, but live from.’