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To heal, grow, or accomplish new things, you must first unlearn what you think you know. Sure, there are facts, fun tidbits, and valuable lessons to learn, but here, “what you think you know” refers to false beliefs and assumptions that have shaped your behavior up to this moment.
Imagine how much lighter and freer life could be if you let go of the assumptions, habits, and behaviors that create stress or hold you back.
Why Focus on Unlearning?
It’s easy to stay fixated on stressors because they dominate our thoughts. Stress is your brain’s way of signaling that something in your life needs to change or be addressed. But here’s the catch: what do you think will happen if you approach change the same way you always have?
Exactly—the same thing that always happens.
True growth requires more than surface-level adjustments; it requires unlearning. And the truth is, all learning is unlearning.
What Does It Mean to Unlearn?
Unlearning is about shifting how you think, perceive, and behave. It’s as simple—and as profound—as:
Learning a new way to approach something.
Challenging outdated assumptions.
Trying new things.
Doing something differently.
False and limiting beliefs often stem from personal, subjective experiences. While the events may be factual, your interpretations, emotions, and biases can distort the truth. Over time, these false narratives—like “I am unworthy of love” or “I am unimportant”—become ingrained.
The issue arises when you don’t realize these old patterns are no longer relevant or practical. For example, you might not consciously think, “I am unworthy,” but the belief could still quietly influence your behaviors and choices.
Keep It Simple
Our minds love to overcomplicate things, creating unnecessary barriers to progress. We overthink, procrastinate, or convince ourselves we’re waiting for the “perfect time.” Yet, often, the most straightforward solutions bring the most significant change.
Here’s the problem: we tend to focus on complexity instead of simplifying what’s important. We play the mental “what if” game, worrying ourselves into stagnation. What if I fail? What if it’s not the right time? But these “what ifs” are just distractions, keeping us stuck.
To simplify:
Focus on what truly matters to you.
Eliminate what doesn’t add value to your life.
Journal to uncover what’s holding you back and why.
Don’t let fear, anger, or resentment stop you from taking this inner journey. These emotions might dominate your thoughts, but suppressing them won’t help. Unprocessed emotions don’t disappear—they linger, causing harm to your mind and body.
Unlearning in Action – A Personal Example
Here’s a small but meaningful example from my own life:
I mentioned that my daily water intake had declined during a conversation with my life coach. I shared how I switched from plastic water bottles to a filtered pitcher to help the planet, but I wasn’t drinking nearly enough water anymore.
The coach asked, “How do you typically drink your water?” I explained that I only drink room-temperature water. Then, she asked where I kept my water pitcher.
“In the fridge,” I replied.
“Why don’t you leave it on the counter instead?” she asked.
I was dumbfounded. “Because… pitchers go in the fridge.”
“Why?”
“…That’s just where they go.”
And just like that, I realized how much of my behavior was dictated by habit. I started keeping the pitcher on the counter, and guess what? My water intake skyrocketed. No lightning struck, no cosmic rebalancing occurred—just a simple change that worked.
The Power of Unlearning
Unlearning is about breaking free from assumptions that no longer serve you. It’s about curiosity, experimentation, and allowing yourself to try something new—even if it feels a little strange at first.
We attract what we think about most, so challenge yourself not only to change your thoughts but to rethink how you feel. Add learning to anything you want to change. Get curious. Explore. Test out new ways of doing things, like not putting the water pitcher in the fridge.
You might discover that your old habits work best for you after all. But imagine the growth, fun, and unexpected breakthroughs you’d miss by sticking to the same routines.
Ready to Start?
What simple change have you made that helped you achieve a goal? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and share your story—you might inspire someone else to start unlearning and growing today.
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