Why on Earth do Fire Engines go “Nee-Naw!’?

What Else Have You Learnt that just isn’t True?  

Ask almost any child what sound a fire engine makes, and chances are, that’s what you’ll hear.  

But if you’ve ever stood near a real fire engine, you know the actual siren is far more intense,  complex and loud. So where did ‘nee-naw' come from? 

Most children don’t learn that sound from real life. They learn it from storybooks, cartoons or a  parent mimicking a siren during playtime. It’s adorable- and harmless.  

But it also reveals something deeper about how we learn, and more importantly, how we believe.

What Else Have We Taken at Face Value?  

Much like the ‘nee-naw’ siren, many of our beliefs weren’t formed by firsthand experience or deep  critical thought. They were absorbed unconsciously from our environment- childhood stories,  cultural messages, family narratives or repeated phrases like: 

• “I’m just not a confident person.”
• “I always mess things up.”
• “People will leave if I’m not perfect.”
• “I have to work twice as hard to prove myself.”
• “I’m too old / too young / too late.”

We hear these messages often enough and they become our internal soundtrack, looping quietly  beneath the surface of our choices. But here’s the truth: 

Just because you learnt something doesn’t mean it’s true. And even more importantly- it doesn’t  mean you have to keep believing it. 

Beliefs Are Not Facts  

In Strategic Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy, one of the most empowering concepts we  explore is that beliefs are not facts.  

They are conclusions WE’VE drawn- often from limited evidence, emotional experiences or  someone else’s version of reality. And yet, they shape our behaviour, self-worth and how we relate  to the world. 

Much like questioning the ‘nee-naw’ siren sound, we can start to question our mental noise too.

Here’s How You Can Start to Unlearn Limiting Beliefs:  

1. Ask: “Where did this come from?”  

Did I experience this myself, or was I told this by someone else? Was it true then, and is it still true  now?

2. Ask: “What evidence do I have for and against this?”  

We’re often experts in collecting proof to support our negative beliefs, but not so good at noticing  the exceptions. Start looking for times when this belief wasn’t true. 

3. Ask: “Is this belief helpful?”  

Does it move you closer to the life you want? Does it empower you or keep you stuck? 4. Replace it with something kinder, truer, or more balanced.  

Not a sugary affirmation you don’t believe, but a realistic reframe. For example: Instead of “I always get anxious around people”, try: 

“Sometimes I feel anxious, and I’m learning to feel more comfortable.” 

Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Amazing Reset Button  

The beautiful news? Your brain is not fixed. Through the power of neuroplasticity, we now know  that thoughts can be rewired, habits can be changed, and deeply embedded beliefs can be  reshaped- especially when we work with them consciously, kindly and consistently. 

Hypnotherapy is one powerful way to do this, because it helps us bypass the critical, often  resistant part of the mind and go straight to the subconscious- the place where many of these  “nee-naw” beliefs were stored to begin with. 

The Takeaway  

Just like no one questions the “nee-naw” as a child, many of us never stop to question the old  stories we’ve been telling ourselves. But if we want to grow, heal and change, we must ask: 

“Who taught me this?” 

“Is it true?” 

“Do I still want to carry this?” 

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is unlearn what’s no longer helpful. And maybe, just maybe- it’s time to update the sound of your inner siren.