Last Updated on July 9, 2022 by the thought method co.

Limiting beliefs are beliefs that hold us back. They can be hard to spot, and are often passed off as inspirational quotes, sage advice or societal norms.

But we need spot limiting beliefs and understand how they hold us back to make sure we aren’t limiting ourselves. 

In this article, we will review 3 common limiting beliefs regarding Roe v. Wade reversal, discuss how they are limiting us, and reframe them with a growth mindset. 

3 Limiting Beliefs Regarding the Roe v Wade Reversal

With the reversal of Roe v. Wade a lot of leaders and individuals made statements and shared their thoughts, feelings and opinions. Within a lot of these opinions were 3 limiting beliefs that are getting in the way of reproductive autonomy:

1. That women have lost autonomy 
2. That courts have set us back 50 years 
3. That this is just the beginning

Limiting Belief: Women Have Lost Autonomy

This is a limiting belief because it is extreme and founded in all-or-nothing and black and white thinking. Yes, the reversal of Roe v. Wade has limited women’s autonomy when it comes to their reproductive health. But it does NOT strip women of their autonomy—a very important distinction. 

Because if a woman believes she has lost all autonomy, she will feel hopeless and powerless. But women are not hopeless and powerless. And we need women to embrace their power and use the autonomy they have to make different reproductive decisions, use their voice and vote for change.

(Michelle Obama outlines this beautifully in her response to the reversal here.)

Reframing for a growth mentality, we would say “women have lost rights and autonomy to reproductive decisions.” Without the extremes, women are better able to see their ability to induce change. 

Limiting Belief: We Have Been Set Back 50 Years

Another limit beliefs rooted in extreme and unproductive thinking is that the reversal of Roe v. Wade has set “us” back 50 years. This extreme thinking discredits the positive and misrepresents reality in an extremely negative light.

Philip Werthman, a Los Angeles urologist, also reported a “300 to 400 percent” increase in the number of vasectomy consultations he has performed.

Washington Post

The best way to overcome this limiting belief and unproductive thinking is to look for real-world examples. We are not set back 50 years. How do I know? 

Welp, companies are supporting women by offering reimbursement for out-of-state travel, advocates are working to block anti-abortion laws, the President is asking congress to review the decision and men are supporting women by getting vasectomies. 

This was not happening 50 years ago. 

Limiting Belief: That This Is Just the Beginning

After the reversal there is a lot of uncertainty and a lot of people start making negative assumptions. Negative assumptions include thinking there are other bad things are coming down the road. This is typically expressed as “this is just the beginning.”

While it is good to be diligent, reality is, we do not know what is in store. And if we want to achieve our goals, we need to focus on what we want instead of what we do not want. 

Our focus is power. And when we focus on what we want, we see opportunities and ways to get it. 

And you know what, maybe this is the beginning, the beginning of many people seeing the current governmental structure no longer works for us. Maybe it’s the beginning of a lot of positive change.

Bringing It Together 

If we want to influence change then we need to be clearheaded. This won’t work if our brain is fogged with limiting beliefs. So work on spotting and rejecting other people’s limiting beliefs by finding real world evidence and focusing on what you want.

The power is with the people. We can and we will prevail.

Photo: Peter Dargatz