The Lies We Believe About Ourselves (And How to Rewrite the Story)

There’s a voice in your head. Maybe you don’t even notice it most days, but it’s there—whispering just beneath the surface.

"You’re not good enough."
"You’re a fraud—sooner or later, people will figure it out."
"You should be further along by now."
"You’ll never change."

We all carry these false narratives—stories we picked up from childhood, past wounds, or moments of failure that got lodged in our psyche. And over time, we start living as if they’re true.

But here’s the thing: just because a story has been playing in your mind for years doesn’t mean it’s reality.

Where Do These Lies Come From?

Most of our self-limiting beliefs started long before we were aware of them.

• Maybe you grew up in a home where love felt conditional—so now, you believe you have to earn your worth.
• Maybe someone spoke shame over you as a kid—so now, you feel like you’re never enough.
• Maybe you failed at something important once—so now, you think you’re destined to fail again.

Shame distorts our self-perception. It makes us believe we are our worst moments, that we are the voice in our head telling us we’ll never measure up.

How to Rewrite the Narrative

If you’ve spent years believing these lies, rewriting them will take time—but it’s possible.

1. Identify the Story You’ve Been Living In

Ask yourself: What’s the core message I believe about myself? Not what you want to believe, but what’s actually playing on repeat in your mind.

2. Challenge the Lie with Truth

Would you say the same thing to a close friend? If not, why do you say it to yourself? Start replacing shame with truth—even if you don’t fully believe it yet.

3. Speak to Yourself with Compassion

Self-compassion isn’t about ignoring growth—it’s about recognizing that growth happens because you are worthy, not so you can become worthy.

You Are More Than Your Old Story

You are not the sum of your mistakes. You are not defined by shame. And you don’t have to keep living under the weight of a false narrative.

At Sage Hill Counseling Nashville, we help young professionals untangle the lies they’ve believed and step into a story of truth, grace, and freedom.

Reach out for help. You don’t have to keep living this way.