A Delicious Story

Ever wonder why you do certain things without question? Sometimes, it’s because your mind is following an old cycle you’ve never questioned. This episode is all about spotting those hidden beliefs and gently challenging them so you can rewrite your life’s scripts.

In today’s chat, Stephen shares how a simple story about cooking a ham reveals the subtle ways we inherit habits. You’ll learn why it’s so important to examine these little routines, how they might hold you back, and what you can do to free yourself from unhelpful thought patterns.

The Ham Story: A Peek at Our Programming

The story goes something like this: A young woman is cooking a ham for the first time and cuts the ends off before putting it in the oven. When asked why she does that, she answers, “That’s how my mum always did it.” Later, she finds out her mum did the same because her pan was too small. She realises there was no need to cut off the perfectly good ends.

“We tend to follow ingrained patterns, often without even knowing why.”

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. Many of us pick up beliefs and routines from family, friends, or society, then carry them forward without question. These patterns go straight into our subconscious, influencing how we work, love, and live.

Why Subconscious Patterns Matter

We all have unconscious rules that guide us through the day. They might be the result of childhood experiences, personal preferences, or culture. Whatever the source, these subconscious beliefs affect the decisions we make, sometimes nudging us in unhelpful directions.

Questioning these hidden stories is crucial if you want to grow. When you bring them into the light, you can decide if they still serve you. If they don’t, you get to shape new, more empowering patterns.

Spotting These Patterns in Your Own Life

Think about your daily routines. How many have you inherited from those around you? Do you ever question whether they’re helpful today? Here’s how you can spot rigid patterns:

• Ask yourself why you do things a certain way.
• Look for discomfort or frustration in your routines.
• Notice if you catch yourself saying, “But that’s how we’ve always done it.”

Recognising these triggers helps you see which areas could do with a gentle audit. Sometimes you’ll realise these old practices are actually helpful. Other times they might hold you back. It’s not about blame. It’s just shining a gentle torch into the corners of your mind.

Untangling Unhelpful Habits

So, how do you break these old habits? Think of it like reprogramming a computer. You first need to know the old code that’s running under the surface. Then you decide what fresh code you want to create.

Try these steps:

1. Acknowledge the Pattern: Spot the action or belief that’s no longer serving you.
2. Ask “Why?”: Dig deeper to find the root cause. Was this taught to you as a child, or did you adopt it later?
3. Rewrite the Story: Develop a new routine or belief that better supports the life you want.
4. Experiment & Adapt: Test your new approach for a week or two, then refine it according to what feels right.

Making changes doesn’t happen overnight. But once you start, you’ll see bigger shifts than you imagine. Even one small change in your routine can ripple out into multiple areas of life.

Shifting Your Perspective for Real Growth

Real growth often starts when we challenge long-held assumptions. It’s like discovering there’s room in the pan after all. That realisation can spur excitement and creativity. You might notice a sense of relief that you’re no longer bound by the old ways.

Let yourself explore. Get curious. If you’ve always felt stuck in certain areas of life, ask whether you’re living someone else’s story. It’s never too late to change the narrative to your own.

• Ingrained patterns can keep you stuck without you even realising.
• Asking “Why?” is the simplest way to expose hidden habits.
• You can choose new beliefs when the old ones no longer serve you.
• Small changes lead to powerful shifts in mindset and energy.
• Curiosity is your best ally when rewriting old programming.

If this sparks your interest, you’ll want to hear the full chat. The episode goes deeper into how these subconscious patterns form, how to spot them, and how to shift them in a way that fits your unique life story.

Ready to get a fuller picture? Have a listen to the entire episode. The podcast player is right at the top of this page. It’s full of insights and personal examples to help you change the things that no longer serve you.