Conquering limiting beliefs through horse riding
Lately, I've been contemplating the idea of picking up a new hobby. I don't have anything specific in mind - I just have this inexplicable desire to venture beyond my comfort zone. It could be anything really, from horse riding to sewing, or even ant farming (which is a real hobby by the way).
I just feel like I should overcome the hesitation of trying new things that don't fit into the labels I've assigned myself.
I feel like I should… expand.
But whenever these thoughts arise and I entertain a few crazy options, my mind automatically chimes in with discouraging statements like, "You will never be good at that”, “It's not your thing”, “You simply can't do it."
And what's really baffling is that I would never dream of saying such things to anyone else.
I'm the type who'd be like, “Wanna start a ghost-hunting business? Hell yeah, go for it, chase those dreams, you totally got this!”
Yet, when it comes to myself, I just seem to welcome negative thoughts with open arms, like they're VIP guests at my own mental bash.
I know that we all have an inner critic, even the most confident folks out there. It's like our brain's overprotective guard, trying to shield us from failure and embarrassment. But sometimes, this whole operation goes a bit too far. Those thoughts (which, by the way, are basically sneaky limiting beliefs) can seriously rain on our parade, keeping us from blossoming into the person we want to become.
The other day, I participated in a workshop organized by my friend Katt, where we delved into the topic of limiting beliefs. During the session, she introduced us to Katie Byron and her Work, which was completely new to me.
Let me quickly round up her story for you: Katie grew up around Barstow, California, in the barren high desert. She fell in love, tied the knot quite young, and had three children, but the fairy tale turned into heartbreak as her marriage crumbled. Stuck in Barstow, Katie spiraled into a whirlwind of addictions and anger issues.
In a desperate move, she ended up in a halfway house in Los Angeles, where she felt like an outcast, feared and avoided by others due to her unpredictable emotions. There, in a lonely attic, she hit rock bottom.
Suddenly, one morning, something extraordinary happened. Katie woke up, but not just physically; her consciousness underwent a profound shift. For a few moments, she felt detached from her own story, viewing the world through unbiased eyes. Katie discovered a revelation that changed everything for her: reality exists independently of the stories our minds construct. This newfound understanding became the foundation of her philosophy.
Back in Barstow, people noticed the remarkable change in Katie. She radiated newfound joy and embraced life with an unwavering sense of presence. Everyone wanted to know her secret, so she shared the four questions she asked herself when faced with limiting beliefs:
Q1. Is it true?
Q2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
Q3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
Q4. Who would you be without that thought?
Needless to say, the whole thing is quite more complex than it seems. She has die-hard fans and she has critics, so I invite you to read more about it and get your own conclusions.
For me, doing this exercise with Katt - and later on my own, tackling a bunch of other limiting beliefs - was quite eye-opening.
I know for a fact that horseriding won’t come easy to me. It's not like I would stumble upon some hidden talent or mystical connection to these animals. But I also know that it isn’t absolutely true that I won’t learn, enjoy, and even get to be good at it.
Generally, limiting beliefs lose their power as soon as we consider that they may not be true. Can’t change career because of your age? What if you’re wrong? Can’t make new friends because you’re too shy? What if you’re wrong?
(Let me tell you: you likely are.)
As a mental exercise, adopting the ability to simply question our own beliefs and find alternative possibilities is very, very empowering.
The boundaries we impose upon ourselves are concealing uncharted territories that might hold immense potential for growth and self-discovery. Have you ever pondered this? You could be missing out on a golden chance to become a pastry chef, get a Ph.D., groove as a belly dancer, or simply evolve into a more authentic, liberated version of yourself.
I've been having this inner conversation a lot lately, so I felt compelled to share these thoughts (and of course, Katie's method) with you. It's a reminder to us all that our potential is often greater than we think.
As I continue on this journey, I'm not quite sure which path I'll tread next (ant farming is probably not it), but I'm excited about the possibilities. There's a surge of positivity, curiosity, and a drive to explore what lies beyond those self-imposed boundaries. Let's see where this uncharted territory takes me - and maybe even you too. ❤