As hard to believe as it is, our present decisions, actions, and reactions are influenced by our past experiences. Negative feelings such as not feeling adequate, not having enough or feeling stuck, are all because of the shadows our past.
Imagine having a conversation with a lovely woman who reveals she is currently experiencing anxiety. Although she believes she has too much on her plate she shares how as a child heavy expectations were placed on her. At times she would fall short of them and suffer the consequence of a raised voice or shaming, disappointed look.
It may not appear significant to us, but these moments created a belief that she wasn't good enough and would always be a disappointment. She spent her life attempting to live up to others expectations, knowing she would never be able to do so.
This belief kept her under perpetual stress, and her fight-or-flight response triggered. Once she was able to process and release the emotions and energy associated with those moments, her anxiety levels decreased significantly.