Breaking through the writing blocks … with EFT
As a writer, I’m sure you’ll be familiar with the struggle. When the words won’t form … when the blank page intimidates you … when the blinking cursor taunts you … when your brain’s like a big pond of golden syrup and your split-second amazing idea quickly drowns in the golden goo. Well, I’m here to help. I’ve started this blog series to show you some of the ways I blast through my blocks. (I refuse to be held hostage by them!) And do you know what? Sometimes the blocks aren’t anything to do with how well you write, they’re all wrapped up in something else.
To kick off this series of breaking through the writing blocks, I want to introduce you to EFT – Emotional Freedom Technique. Having used it for about five years now, and seen the benefits it brings to my life, I’ve been encouraging my teenage daughter to use it lately too. She’s currently a year 11 lockdown student facing assessments (not exams, apparently!) practically every day and while she’s not at virtual school or doing homework, she’s doing intervention classes to boost her grades to 8s and 9s (which I don’t think are necessary, but that’s a story for another day and platform). It’s little wonder our kids get so anxious and stressed, isn’t it?
Anyway, back to EFT.
As I said, EFT has been part of my daily routine for quite a few years now. I use it to help me overcome all kinds of blocks: from writer’s block to personal growth blocks and those pesky imposter syndrome ones that try to hamper my business expansion dreams. I also use it as a Law of Attraction tool (check out David Childerley’s tapping money series on YouTube if you’d like to try it too).
Whilst I’ve built up quite a knowledge of EFT, I am by no means an expert. Which is why I asked Shannon Humphrey from Pathways for Positivity, an expert in EFT who works with organisations and individuals who care about cultivating positive mental health and wellbeing, to give us an overview of EFT. Here’s what Shannon had to say about EFT …
Thanks for joining us, Shannon and sharing your expertise. We really appreciate your input. First of all, can you tell us how you found out about EFT?
Years ago, my mum and I had a course of acupuncture. Mum went to ease her back pain and I went along because I was curious about the process and wondered what it could do for me. I’d heard that it could help with everything from phobias to weight loss to pain relief. I didn’t have any expectations and no real purpose for going, so it was difficult to measure the results.
The experience was interesting and although we both enjoyed it, we felt that it was quite time consuming as our practitioner was based in the city centre, we had to drive in to see him. One waited while the other was seen. All in all, it was lengthy and quite expensive! I recall thinking that it would be nice if we could do something similar ourselves. Fast forward a few years and I heard about Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as Tapping, I tried it for myself and loved it!
What is EFT?
EFT is often referred to as “acupuncture without the needles”.
How does EFT work?
The meridians are the ‘energy highway’ of the human body. They flow beneath the surface in corresponding pairs. Each meridian has many acupuncture points along its path. We use some of those points to tap with fingers as a way to release blocked energy within the body. Meridians can become blocked by emotions such as anger, sadness, fear, stress, or depression, as well as an organ deficiency or malfunction. Imagine swallowing something that goes down the wrong way, it gets stuck. That awful feeling when it’s blocking your airway. Fortunately, one good pat on your back and it’s dislodged! Ah, the relief. Think of unblocking your meridian pathways in this way!
What are the benefits of EFT?
The benefits of EFT are numerous. I think people who struggle to relax and meditate or practice mindfulness find EFT easier to manage, because they don’t have to sit still! EFT is proven to reduce the stress hormone cortisol, it lowers the heartrate and lowers stress, anxiety and worry. Coupled with talking therapies, EFT can be a truly transformational technique. I have worked with people all over the world to overcome and numerous different energy blocks that have manifested themselves as smoking addictions, imposter syndrome, apathy, grief and more. You name it, we can tap for it!
That’s fascinating, Shannon. Thanks so much for sharing that. How can we connect with you or keep in touch?
Here’s my website address: www.pathwaysforpositivity.com
My email address: shannon@pathwaysforpositivity.com
And my LinkedIn profile – come and connect with me if we’re a good fit: www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-humphrey-19b95b162
Want to see how EFT works in real-time with Shannon and I?
Check out this real-time video of Shannon tapping through my writer’s block! Tap along with us if you like – it really does work! >>> http://bit.ly/3qZIqgn
Watch out for more the next article in my Breaking Through the Writing Blocks series!
Have you used EFT to overcome your blocks? I’d love to hear your story. Feel free to leave a comment!
Michelle Emerson
Self-publishing Services for UK Independent Authors
