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In my years of using EFT on myself and as a practitioner, I've addressed health, self-esteem, subconscious programming, and other issues that respond well to tapping. It was a while, though, before I thought of using it on the most dreaded phrase in a writer's vocabulary: "Writer's Block."
The phrase could more correctly be called "Creative Block," because it can visit anyone who has run out of creative solutions to any life problem. Your creativity may relate to running a harmonious household or finding new ways to attract customers to your business or practice. To live life fully and with satisfaction always involves creativity.
I have learned that reasoning it out or applying logic to any creative challenge rarely works. Neither does pushing through my resistance. I invariably end up with a lot of text (or a life) that's dry and lifeless.
When I'm blocked, it's because I lack inspiration. Tapping sparks creativity in a way that few other methods can. I've discovered with my clients that approaching a problem or crisis as a creative challenge often frames the issue in a way that invites their own innate creativity to come out and play, with dramatic results.
If I don't know exactly what's stopping me, I tap on a common default belief. Just as I sometimes believe that money is only available in finite quantities, so I can catch myself believing that I have only so much creativity and only so many ideas. When that happens, I use the following tapping sequence:
Setup Statement
Even though I believe I only have a limited number of creative ideas, I choose to realize that I am the source of infinite creativity.
Even though I believe I've used up my supply for the day, I choose to recognize that my supply is inexhaustible.
Even though I believe I'm only entitled to a certain amount of creativity, I choose to believe that I am entitled to unlimited inspiration.
The Sequence
Then I follow by tapping through the Sequence with a negative round:
I've run out of ideas.
I have nothing new to say.
It's all been said.
I did as much as I could.
I don't deserve any new thoughts.
My brain has gone dead.
I'm blocked, that's all.
I'm stuck.
I continue with variations on the above themes until something clicks - often a childhood memory of my creative impulses being squashed. Over the years, I've discovered several beliefs that prevent inspiration from sparking. Like most of the beliefs that block anyone, these reside as programs in the subconscious mind.
If I'm writing a new kind of article or attempting a fictional innovation, I will sense, if I'm observant, distinct danger signals. The subconscious mind doesn't want to get us into trouble. It learned when we were very young what was safe and what was risky, and it is scrupulous about protecting us.
Not Safe to Create
An aspect of danger is "They won't like it." They could be anyone: an editor, literary agent, family and friends, significant others, or a faceless public. Following this belief is "I will fail, and I will be humiliated."
Not only do the above two paragraphs contain a lot of tapping material, they also provide openings for further discovery. If you tap on the idea of humiliation, you may remember childhood incidents where THEY didn't like your ideas or your creations. I knew someone who was thoroughly humiliated in grade school for painting a green pumpkin.
Once I'm ready for one or more positive rounds, I use the following phrases or variations:
Maybe some more creative ideas are sitting in my mind.
They may be waiting for my invitation.
I invite them to come out and play.
I'm looking forward to meeting them.
They are most welcome.
I know there are lots of them.
I feel them stirring now.
They're ready to play.
Getting Specific
I also adapt this for specific blockages. Examples for fiction could include:
Even though I don't know what this character wants, I choose to listen to her.
Even though I don't know where this story is going, I choose to follow it.
For both fiction and nonfiction, I use these statements:
Even though I don't have the right words now, they will come. That's what editing is for.
Even though I don't think this is well organized so far, once I've written down the thoughts, I'll know how to organize it.
Although I use the above statements for writing, they can be adapted for any creative endeavor — which includes any movement to expand your boundaries, come up with a solution for a problem, or spark your imagination for any purpose.
And if you think you're not creative, try this:
Even though I think I'm not creative, I know that to be human is to be creative, and I welcome the new thoughts even now forming in my mind.
When you reframe a problem as a creative challenge, solving it can be both rewarding and fun.
Connie Barrett
Upstate New York, US
From the EFTfree Archives, which are now a part of EFT International .
Originally published on April 2, 2011.
Virginia says
I thought what you had to say about failure in grade school very interesting and important. I just had a client (in her 70’s) trying to learn something new and large and important accompanied by great anxiety. We traced it back to two painful first grade events that caused her humiliation and self-doubt. Because we all experience failure and it means something unique and painful to each of us, I plan to explore that with each client who gives me half a reason. It may be behind more blocks than I care to think. I remember an incident in high school where I failed at a task in gym class. The belief that I took from that was that I was “weak”. And then I added to that that weak people can never be successful. Imagine what that’s done to my life. I am grateful that our personal experiences can always help another if we are so inclined to allow it. Thanks very much for the article.