When Prophecy Fails and Long-Held Beliefs Sour: How to Cope with Disappointed Aspirations
How re-evaluation is the key to coping with frustrated dreams
Recent insights have caused me to question the validity of long-held personal beliefs. Formerly, I believed that changing unhealthy habits and accomplishing more self-care goals would improve my self-esteem. However, I now find that the hoped-for improvement in my sense of self-worth has withered on the vine.
What are my options in the face of these failed prophecies?
A review of the research on this issue suggests one main path forward in the face of new information that challenges old convictions.
Re-evaluation
In retrospect, all I can use for this evaluation are the ideas that led to the core belief that having fewer self-sabotaging beliefs would be better, healthier, and more life-enhancing.
These ideas constitute schemas that help organize and interpret information. They are mental models based on early life experiences.
Value Source
For example, in my early years, I was exposed to the idea that the values and ideals of outside authorities (parents, teachers) had more intrinsic worth than values…
