Childhood is an incredible period in our lives and refers to ages from somewhere between 2 to 9 within Kinesiology and Energetic work. This reflects developmental milestones, brain frequencies, stages of learning and socialisation. It’s a time when we develop our beliefs and begin to understand the world around us. Our experiences and interactions during this time shaped our attitudes, perspectives, and values, and learned adaptive strategies for success.
Beliefs are powerful in general. Childhood beliefs are even more so. They guide our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Some beliefs are formed consciously, while others take root in our subconscious minds. The subconscious mind is like a vast, hidden library of information that influences our decisions without us even realising it. It’s fascinating how something we’re not fully aware of or have the language to articulate can impact our lives when subconscious strategies that served us well as a child inhibit us as adults.
During childhood, our subconscious mind absorbs information like a sponge. This is primarily due to the frequency of the brain and the individual’s learning styles, plus environmental experience exposure. The brain and the child are eager to learn and make sense of the world. We start forming beliefs based on what we observe, hear, and experience. The brain then files these observations, experiences and beliefs with similar memories and experiences, called Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychology suggests that we do more than focus on every small component. Instead, our minds tend to perceive objects as elements of more complex systems. The human brain is wired to see structure, logic, and patterns. It helps us make sense of the world. So we subconsciously stack and pile experiences according to our past experiences. As children, we often accept these beliefs without questioning them because we trust the authority figures in our lives.
But here’s the thing: only some of the beliefs we form in childhood serve us well in adulthood. Some beliefs can limit us, hold us back, and prevent us from reaching our true potential, especially those frozen within a childhood perspective, kid-like logic. That’s where self-awareness comes in. By understanding the power of our beliefs, we can examine them as adults and consciously decide which ones to keep and which to let go.
So we return to the ‘children are sponges’ concept, with limited reasoning and communication ability. Added to the gestalt process of ordering our memories is the socialisation experienced in all aspects of our lives, from parents, extended family and siblings to exposure to media, care services, home and external environments. Repetition of specifics is not needed to be exact as the brain likes to match like with like and will consolidate similarly.
Our subconscious observes our parents and the experience within our family. It takes note of these essential things in order of importance:
- Are we safe?
- Do we receive attention? Are we worthy of this attention/connection? Does the attention come with conditions/rules?
- Are we given the space to learn? Is it okay to make mistakes & what happens if we do? Will we accept?
- Do we have any self-sufficiency? Do we have any independence or power?
Changing deeply ingrained beliefs takes time and effort. It involves digging deep into our subconscious and reprogramming it with new, empowering beliefs. This process requires self-reflection, personal development, and sometimes seeking help from therapists, coaches, or mentors but most effectively, kinesiologists. Kinesiology, through timeline therapy, has the ability to pinpoint the first gestalt grouping. Highlight the first emotion in its raw form before it was transformed into what serves us in the now.
The process here must feel uncomfortable but safe enough to dig deep into the original issue and release it. Our core survival emotions are to feel safe, connected, accepted, and powerful. If these core emotional structures are threatened, our amygdala will trigger us to feel shame or fear automatically. Shame and fear keep us part of the tribe. It is our tribe that will protect and support us If we are exposed. This is why our survival mechanisms are wired to prevent us from exposing ourselves to anything that causes shame or fear. This is where beliefs form. Beliefs are the stories we create around what is required of us to ensure that we are safe and secure within the tribe, and we must learn the rules to survive.
So, take a moment to reflect on the beliefs you’ve carried with you from childhood. Are they still serving you? Do they align with who you indeed are and want to be? If not, it might be time to embark on a journey of self-discovery and belief transformation. Always remember that you have the power to shape your reality. By understanding the influence of childhood, beliefs, and the subconscious mind, you can take control of your life and create the future you desire. Embrace the journey ahead and trust in your ability to grow and evolve.
Most of the topics talked about in the clinic are:
- Family – Birth of siblings, parent separation, travelling parents, extended family moving in or away.
- Change – New house, change of location, bedroom sleeping arrangement, daycare, school, changing teachers
- Arguments and conflicts with family/friends
- Being in trouble, being laughed at
- Hospital/ Doctors visits
- Death and loss – Grief experienced by self as well as others