As I sent the final draft of another book off to my publisher, I realized that I’d written this book without any paralyzing bouts of writer’s block. The main reason for the delicious absence of writer’s block is that I had already resolved my conflicts associated with writing by persistently using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or tapping on any issue that seemed to be interfering with expressing my authentic voice as a writer.
In this four-part blog, I will share some of the tapping scripts I used to release these conflicts, all of which were established before I was out of high school:
1. The fear of exposure.
2. Fear of being laughed at.
3. The imposed belief that pursuing writing was pointless.
4. Fear of sharing my work.
5. Events associated with my work being ridiculed.
6. Being accused of plagiarism at nine years old.
7. Feelings of humiliation associated with my writing.
When you do an online search for writer’s block, you will find lots of practical tips and tricks designed to keep you from distractions, get inspiration, and “make” yourself write. I always wondered why writers feel uninspired and in need of tricks to make us write, especially when our big dream is to write and be writers.
It’s not the lack of inspiration, or time, or having too many distractions that keeps you from writing. Writer’s block occurs when your conscious and unconscious thoughts, feelings, fears and beliefs conflict with your heart’s desire for self-expression.
When I work with incredible, successful writers, authors, bloggers and screenwriters struggling with writer’s block I show them how to unearth the thoughts, feelings, events or traumas that interfere with their yearning to write every day.
This includes anything from cringing at the thought of publishing your blog or having your boss read your annual report to hesitating to even pick up a pen in the first place.
While working with countless writers, both professional and aspiring, I saw similarities and patterns that mirrored my own feelings about writing before I tapped on them.
For example, many blocked writers think they’re procrastinators but in reality they have an unresolved fear of exposure, fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of success, to name a few. I know that if I hadn’t cleared my own writing fears with EFT tapping, I would never have published a book, let alone three. These fears are enough to stop anyone from writing! They had to have come from somewhere…
Let try an activity. Ask yourself: What are my first memories and experiences around writing?
For me, I knew very early on that I was a writer. I was about six years old when I wrote my first story. I loved playing with words, creating puns, and finding new ways to say things. Unfortunately my parents were very puritanical and I was chastised for some of my wordplay. I continued to write but I very carefully kept my words to myself.
Here is some tapping that was helpful for me.
(This article assumes you have an understanding of the tapping process. If not, please scoot here for tapping instructions)
While tapping the karate chop point, repeat these statements:
- Even though I was chastised for being creative, I love and accept myself.
- Even though my mother didn’t understand that I was being creative, not sacrilegious, I love and accept myself.
- Even though I learned very early that it was inappropriate to be creative, I release that belief now, at a cellular level.
- Even though it wasn’t safe to let anyone see what I’d written, I'm glad I protected my words and let them flourish.
- Even though I wrote what I felt and got in trouble, I'm safe to write what I feel now.
- Even though my mother was embarrassed by my writing, I love and accept myself as a writer.
While tapping on the tapping points, repeat these reminder phrases:
Eyebrow: I just loved playing with words…
Side of Eye: But I got in trouble for being creative…
Under Eye: I was shushed and shamed…
Under Nose: I had to protect my words…
Chin: So I stopped sharing them…
Collar Bone: It wasn’t safe to be creative and funny…
Under Arm: My mother was embarrassed…
Top of Head: I’m safe now to write what pleases me…
Eyebrow: She wasn’t impressed by my creative ability…
Side of Eye: But I’d rather embrace that young version of myself…
Under Eye: And appreciate her for staying true to her desire to write…
Under Nose: I release my mother’s judgment at a cellular level…
Chin: I am completely safe now, to write what I feel…
Collar Bone: I love writing…
Under Arm: It is safe to write…
Top of Head: I embrace my writerly self!
While I might not remember the specific details of the childhood events, the emotions I felt while I was tapping on them certainly indicated that my whole system felt the impact of these early punishments.
I think of the creative souls I've worked with over the years, like the many painters who had their knuckles rapped for coloring outside the lines as children. I think of the musicians who were punished for making up their own tunes instead of practicing tedious scales. No matter what your past, unresolved upset, please take some time to use tapping to resolve it. Please give yourself the gift of unleashing your creative voice once again.
You can try tapping for yourself or if you'd like coaching and support from me as you leap over your own creative hurdles.
Bye for now!
Keep being awesome,
∞ Christine
