I have to admit that I have not felt like myself lately.  To be one that professes the benefits of your thoughts and mindset, I couldn't seem to turn mine around.  I had feelings of depression, anxiety and overwhelm.  I was frustrated that I couldn't just 'think' differently about things or make the choice to Be Happy.     

I felt these things in my body.  I knew it was more than surface level thoughts. It was time to dig even deeper.  Our bodies can give us clear indication that there is something more to investigate.  

A few years ago, I had been introduced to a modality called EFT - Emotional Freedom Technique or 'tapping'.  My coach and friend, Kim Salter, Design Thought Studio, really brought this into my life.  You can read more about it here.  The Tapping Solution says this:

            Tapping therapy is based on the combined principles
            of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology.
            Tapping with the fingertips on specific meridian endpoints
            of the body, while focusing on negative emotions or physical
            sensations, helps to calm the nervous system, rewire the
            brain to respond in healthier ways, and restore the body’s
            balance of energy.

Sometimes all the positive thinking, mantras and affirmations will not provide relief.  We must look whole-istically... mind, body, spirit. 

After about 20 minutes of tapping, I realized some thoughts that had been causing distress  AND even had a breakthrough on some resistance I've had.   

While EFT is just one tool that can be helpful, do not discount other modalities RET, EMDR, hypnotherapy, coaching and traditional therapy if you are having trouble processing your thoughts and emotions. If you find that you are having feelings of depression or anxiety for prolonged periods of time for sure seek professional assistance. We all have those feelings from time to time and usually they will move on.  But sometimes they don't and we need some guidance.   

In my case, I believe that I had just 'gotten busy' and as I was feeling things just stuffed them down to keep on going. How many of you do that?  "Oh, I'm too busy to deal with my emotions/feelings/fears/etc right now, I have other things to do."  Geez, I had done THAT for years.  But it eventually comes back up.  Now, it just happens extremely faster for me and I am so glad it does.  I'm better at recognizing.  When I am not feeling good it is time to start looking inward for what needs to be dealt with.  Am I speaking up and out when I need to, am I taking care of myself, am I aligned with my truth? 

The more you are in tune with yourself the more you know when you are out of sync. 

Do you want and need to feel better? Create the space for that.   

My hope for you today is that you will take the time to reflect, clear out, speak out, speak up, care for yourself, process emotions... whatever you need to do to feel like the best version of yourself.  When you present that version to the world, the world cannot help but respond positively.   


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Ah, that uncomfortable spot between who you were and who you are becoming.  That place in between where you've been and where you are going.  Michael Beckwith calls this the

Dark Night of the Soul. 

That feels like an excellent depiction, if you ask me. 

I didn't even know what this was until I heard him talk about it on Oprah's Super Soul Sunday.  I felt lost and out of sorts.  I had done so much work!  Therapy, coaching, reading, and self analyzing.  I had taken on different mindsets and started challenging the thoughts and beliefs that I had grown up with. I started thinking for myself instead of just ingesting that which is fed to us on a daily basis. 

I was literally changing from the inside out. 

There is uncertainty and insecurity, maybe even instability as we leave behind that which we know. And for many of us it is hard to release that, even if it is not serving us.  We'll hold on to bad jobs and relationships just because there is comfort in the known. 

While it can feel like we are in an abyss and floating aimlessly, growth has happened and is continuing.  To even be in this spot, required growth out of the 'what was'.  You desired more and did some work.  You had an intention for a better life. You wanted more.  (We didn't count on the in between though did we?)

The important thing is to embrace what currently IS. 

Be careful not to numb out or shut down, you'll miss the whole experience.  It's ok to be in this place.  It is ok to be uncertain.  It is ok to feel afloat.  It is ok to start over. It is part of the journey.  Don't miss this part as it will make emerging into the light that much sweeter.

Think about a seed.  The seed has an in between.  It is put into the ground as an encapsulated little kernel.  Then it begins to grow.  There is a time between when the seed sprouts and when it pushes through the ground into the light.  It is not immediate but must push through the dark soil until it reaches the light.  It doesn't worry that it won't make it - it is just a matter of time.  And so it is with us. 

Don't fear this place.  Allow it be a sanctuary during your cultivation.  It is a safe place.  YOU are safe there.  

My hope for you today is that you will know that the dark night will not last forever.  Light does come in the morning along with the promise of a new day, a new beginning, a fresh start.  And once you have entered the in between, you will not ever wish to go back.

The glimpse of what is to come is far brighter and more fulfilling than the comfort of fear ever was.