How Childhood Conditioning Shapes Adult Habits—and How to Unlearn Them
by Alexandra Janelli, Hypnotherapist & CEO of Go burble
You’re not just reacting to the world around you—you’re reacting to a script written long ago. Most of our adult behaviors aren’t conscious decisions. They’re subconscious responses shaped by childhood conditioning.
From the way we handle conflict, to how we show up in relationships, to our beliefs about money, worth, and love—these patterns often have roots in moments we barely remember. A raised eyebrow, a withheld hug, a comment said in passing. Our subconscious mind recorded those events, created meaning, and stored it all as truth.
But here’s the good news: just because something was learned early doesn’t mean it can’t be unlearned now.
What Is Childhood Conditioning?
Childhood conditioning refers to the mental and emotional “wiring” we develop through repeated experiences, environments, and emotional responses in our early years. Think of it as the operating system your subconscious mind runs on.
Whether it was praise for achievement, criticism for expressing emotions, or chaos in your home environment—your mind created rules to survive, fit in, and feel safe. Over time, these rules became habits. And those habits became identities.
Examples of How Conditioning Shows Up in Adulthood:
You struggle to say “no” because you were praised for being “easygoing” or punished for asserting yourself.
You overwork and burn out because love was only given when you were achieving.
You sabotage relationships because your nervous system doesn’t recognize calm as “normal.”
You fear failure because mistakes were shamed, not explored.
These aren’t conscious decisions—they’re deeply ingrained responses. You’re not broken. You’re patterned.
Why It’s So Hard to “Just Stop” a Habit
You’ve probably told yourself before: “I know this isn’t good for me, I just don’t know why I keep doing it.”
That’s because willpower lives in the conscious mind—and conditioning lives in the subconscious. Trying to override a subconscious belief with conscious effort is like trying to steer a plane with a paper map. It’s not designed to work that way.
How to Start Unlearning Childhood Patterns
Awareness Is the First Disruptor
Notice your automatic reactions without judgment. Do you people-please? Shut down? Lash out? The moment you become aware, you introduce choice.Ask: Where Did I Learn This?
Trace the belief back. Who modeled this behavior? What memory comes up? Often just naming the origin softens its power.Challenge the “Truth”
Ask yourself: Is this belief universally true—or just something I internalized? Truth withstands inquiry. False beliefs crack under it.Rewire with Subconscious Tools
Techniques like visualization, hypnosis, repetition, and guided sessions are proven to reshape neural pathways. You don’t need to fight your programming—you can rewrite it.
burble: A Shortcut to Subconscious Change
That’s where burble comes in. Our app uses proven subconscious techniques to help you shift deeply ingrained patterns—without needing years of talk therapy or perfect willpower. Whether it’s boundaries, anxiety, procrastination, or emotional eating, burble creates a guided path out of your old programming and into the self you’re becoming.
Final Thought
You are not stuck. You’re just rehearsing a story written long ago. And the moment you decide to unlearn what no longer serves you, you begin rewriting your future—one belief at a time.