by: Kenneth Baker III, Quantum Healing Hypnotherapist
Have you ever heard someone say, "That's just how I am"? Or maybe you've even said it yourself. I certainly have. However, whenever I hear those words, part of me wonders if we realize what we're actually saying. Because what I hear is, "This is who I'm CHOOSING to be." Now, I know that might sound a little harsh, and it's certainly not that simple for everyone. Many people genuinely aren't aware they have a choice. Others may be struggling with Self-worth or beliefs they've carried for so long that they can't imagine anything different. It really depends on the individual. But it does make me wonder how much of who we believe ourselves to be is actually who we are, and how much is simply what we've grown accustomed to.
Think about how much we learn without even realizing we're learning it. Seriously. From childhood on, we're constantly absorbing beliefs, expectations, and influences from the world around us. That's ‘conditioning’, and not all of it is necessarily bad. Some of it helps us navigate life, while other parts may no longer align with who we are. We can become so accustomed to certain narratives that we accept them as Truth without ever questioning whether they're actually True for us (were they ever???). And I'm not suggesting everything we've been taught is a lie. But just because we've been fed a particular belief doesn't mean we have to carry it forever. Especially when something feels so out of alignment that we're experiencing dis-ease physically, mentally, and/or emotionally. We're multidimensional, multifaceted beings, and I believe there's so much more to us than the limitations we've learned to accept.
Of course, once we become aware of a pattern, it's natural to want to get to the root cause. Finding that answer can surely bring an incredible sense of clarity. You may even have one of those aha "Ohhh, so THAT'S why I do that!" moments, and suddenly something shifts and makes a little more sense. But I don't believe we always need to know the origin to move forward. This is especially important when trauma is involved, because revisiting painful experiences isn't always necessary or beneficial. Some people also explore these questions through spiritual perspectives, including ancestral influences or past/other lives. Regardless of how we understand the ‘why’, we can still ask whether a belief is serving us today in the here and NOW. Just because something became familiar doesn't mean it has to remain part of our story. (read that again)
This is one of the many things I appreciate about Quantum Healing and hypnotherapy. So much of what influences our thoughts, feelings, and reactions happens outside our everyday awareness, or consciousness. During sessions, I guide people into a relaxed, focused state where they can explore their inner experiences and consider familiar patterns from another perspective. And despite some of the misconceptions surrounding hypnosis, it's not about someone taking control of your mind or some a stage act. You're still participating in your own experience and in complete control. For me, the value of this work is in creating space for curiosity, reflection, and the possibility of seeing something differently. We don't always need a dramatic revelation for an experience to be meaningful.
Of course, becoming aware of our conditioning doesn't mean those familiar habits and beliefs suddenly disappear. Wouldn't that be convenient? That's where ‘Unlearning’ comes in. To me, conditioning and unlearning go hand in hand. It's not necessarily about replacing one belief with another or becoming somebody entirely different. It's about letting go of what no longer resonates so we can better align with our authentic Selves. We may recognize a pattern and still catch ourselves repeating it, but at least now we have an opportunity to observe it. Do I actually believe this? Is it serving me? Or have I simply been carrying somebody else's narrative? I believe so many of the limitations we experience are the ones we've unknowingly placed on ourselves. That can be a hard pill to swallow. However, once we're aware of them, we can begin deciding whether we want to keep living within them… or if it’s time to release and heal.
So, the next time you hear yourself saying, "That's just how I am.", consider giving that statement a little more attention. Zoom out. Is it something you genuinely love and accept about your Self, or is it a belief you've never thought to question? Remember, there's no need to judge yourself for what you didn't know before you knew it. And you don't have to figure it all out alone. If you've been recognizing patterns, questioning old beliefs, or feeling disconnected from who you know yourself to be, Quantum Healing Hypnotherapy may be worth exploring. Through Quantum Healing Hypnotherapy sessions, I offer a supportive space to look beyond some of that conditioning, explore subconscious beliefs, and reconnect with what feels True for you. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to Healing, and you don't need to have all the answers before getting started. Perhaps it begins with simply recognizing that not every story we've carried needs to remain the story we live by. Reclaim your sovereignty. Remember yourself.
