On this episode of the Mind Your Being Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Sky Maree Steele takes us on a deep dive into how our core beliefs shape our lives, influence our behaviours, and impact our mental health.
Sky shares that her own journey into psychology was inspired by a desire to help others navigate challenges she experienced from a young age—diagnosed with ADHD and managing anxiety, she wanted to support others in building confidence and resilience, ensuring they had tools to navigate life’s pressures.
A major focus of the conversation is core beliefs—the unconscious, deeply ingrained ideas we hold about ourselves. “Our main goal as humans is to be liked, loved, and accepted,” Sky explains. Many of us develop beliefs such as I’m not good enough or I must meet others’ expectations, often as a result of childhood experiences and social conditioning. These beliefs act like “horse blinkers,” influencing our decisions, behaviours, and even relationships, often without us realising.
Sky highlights common patterns that emerge from negative core beliefs: playing it safe, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and living to others’ expectations. These behaviours can keep us trapped in familiar, yet unfulfilling, routines. She reminds us that much of this stems from a primitive survival response: our brains are wired for safety, not necessarily for happiness or self-expression.
Awareness is key. Sky encourages psychoeducation and self-reflection as starting points—understanding how our thoughts and patterns were conditioned allows us to make conscious choices. Evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and connecting with the body through breathwork can help interrupt negative thought loops and foster self-trust. Simple acts, like placing your hands over your heart and acknowledging, “It’s okay”, can soothe the internal critic and build emotional resilience.
For those living according to others’ expectations, Sky recommends a first step: acknowledging that awareness itself is powerful. Journaling can help—writing down current patterns on one side and the desired way of being on the other. This practice encourages curiosity and experimentation with new beliefs and behaviours, rather than striving to fix ourselves immediately.
Midlife, Sky notes, is often a turning point. With greater self-reflection and life experience, many people start to question the patterns, people-pleasing, and overthinking habits that have guided their lives. She emphasises that it’s never too late to challenge old beliefs or choose a path that aligns with your authentic self—whether you’re 30, 60, or beyond.
Finally, Sky shares her personal strategies for “minding her being”: having a mentor or coach, surrounding herself with supportive, growth-minded people, and making time for herself to decompress and reset. She reminds us that it’s not only okay to take this time—it’s essential for mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that while we cannot change the past, we can reshape the beliefs that guide our present and future. By cultivating awareness, curiosity, and self-compassion, we can begin to live lives that truly reflect our values, desires, and authentic selves.
Source: Episode #7 of Mind Your Being Podcast – Overthinking, Rumination and Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs with Sky Maree Steele