You gravitate most to the limiting self talk character called the Hider. Once healed, your new name is The One Who is Seen.
The Hider feels like she is average or below average. She doesn't realize that most of the population is average — that's why it's called average! Growing up, the answer to "how do I get love" or "how do I stay safe" was "by becoming invisible." She feels like the world is always yelling at her to have a passion or be good at something, and that makes her feel insecure. She may have tried her hand at a few creative things but it just made her feel like she wasn't good enough. She felt like it was okay to hide because that's what humility looks like. She is often depreciating herself. She struggles with wondering what people think of her and often coming to the faulty conclusion that she doesn't matter to many people. She can sometimes be self sufficient, but she is also very lonely.
Examples of Limiting Self Talk the Hider Narrates:
- There is nothing good inside of me.
- I am not important.
- I wish people would just let me be myself, but that self is never good enough for them.
- Hiding myself glorifies God more.
- I will never measure up.
- I am unattractive/unlovable.
Foundational Fear: That she is insignificant and/or invisible.
Redeemed Gift: Our greatest weakness can become our greatest strength when it is healed. When you overcome your hiding narrative, the gift you will bring to the world is allowing yourself to be seen and known, just as you are.
The Path Towards Hope: We can become a compassionate observer of our inner landscape and notice when these thoughts arise. We can ask the Hider why she is showing up at certain times and bring healing to her. We can tap into the deepest part of who we are, the Compassionate Friend, who dwells closest to the heart of God.
To get over your addiction to LST (Limiting Self Talk), make your thoughts NEW.
Notice and Name when you have a thought about being insignificant.
Envision what you would feel like and how your life would change if you replaced that thought. What would it feel like to believe that you are important to many people? How would your life change if you saw yourself as someone who brings beautiful things to the world?
Whirl that negative thought around 180°, generating a positive thought to replace the limiting thought.
180° Thought: I am valuable beyond any human measure. I don't need to hide myself.
Inner Healing Assignment: Brené Brown says that 85% of people have shame memories from their school years, and that 50% of those are attached to creativity. Think back on your life — is there a reason that you have been scared to be creative or to show yourself? Write out the reasons that come to mind. To overcome that narrative, make something creative, like a painting or a piece of jewelry or a poem. Look at it and try not to compare it to the people around you that you dub "above average." See that work as valuable and meaningful even if it doesn't live up to the world's standards. You made it, and you are valuable beyond measure. If you are really brave, give it to a friend or share it on your social media.