Early Blog Break – Back in January

Posted on 15. November 2018 by fmoebius
Love your body

Love your body

On this blog, I often talk about self-care.

Because self-care is really important, especially if we dream of living our dream life – spending all our time writing and pushing with the next deadline or the next release.

And now the time has come for me to model that self-care…

I’ve been ill most of November. First, a nasty cold – worse than anything I had in a long time. Then problems with my elbow. And now… shingles.

It’s a very clear sign to get some rest. To take it easy and to reduce the load. Reduce stress.

Which means that I have decided – with a heavy heart, believe me – to start my blog break early.  Those of you who are familiar with my blogging know that I take a break in December. This year, I’ll start it today.

I know I’m supposed to apologize, but I won’t.

Because this is self-care.

If I don’t take care of myself, I can’t be here for you guys.

So I wish you a wonderful NaNoWriMo (lots of posts to be read with that tag, btw.) and a wonderful time during the holidays.

I love you all.

And I’ll be back in January.

Tapping Phrases:

Even though I hate being sick and out of commission, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to take good care of myself and let my body heal.

Even though I feel like I’m letting my readers down, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to take the time off that I need and let my body heal.

Even though I’m feeling horrible about this, I’m totally okay the way I am, and now I choose to allow myself this break and realign with well-being and healing.

Your Turn:
Have you taken time for a break? How did that feel?
Help to inspire others and share in a comment!

*Image source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive that tapping round plus occasional special offers.

PPS: I can help you overcome self-blame and resistance to self-care. EFT is the fastest way I know to shift limiting beliefs, old thought habits and other kinds of blocks. Click HERE and send me an email. Together, we’ll figure out how I can support you best.

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Three Easy Steps to Silence the Inner Critic

Posted on 8. November 2018 by fmoebius
Appreciation silences the inner critic
Appreciate!

That Inner Critic can be a truly destructive voice in the heads of creative people.

I know. I write, too. I’m familiar with that nasty guy.

The Inner Critic kills creativity. It extinguishes that inner spark which makes us write or create art. It makes us doubt our abilities and our hopes.

But just as we can allow the Inner Critic to sabotage our creativity, we can use it and turn the tide. Today, I’m giving you three steps to tame that voice so it becomes less destructive and possibly an ally.

Step 1 to Silence the Inner Critic: Appreciate everything today.

Because appreciation is the very opposite of what that Inner Critic does.  Appreciation builds you up, rather than tears you down.

So I’d like you to do a little experiment: go through your life today and appreciate… everything!

You’re creative, so you can look at every situation, everything in your home or at work and find something to appreciate about it. I guarantee it’ll change your mood. It may even make you laugh.

Bonus step: Take pictures of all the beauty you might find, write about it in a journal, or keep a gratitude journal.

I write in my own personal gratitude journal every night, and it feels really good, especially on bad days.

Step 2 to Silence the Inner Critic: Appreciate your successes as writer.

So maybe you’re not selling as many books as you want to. Or maybe there are a few reviews with some criticism. That’s fodder for your Inner Critic.

Take away that fodder. (Yes, the Inner Critic is a Troll.)

Celebrate every little success that you have, every single sale, every happy reader, every review.

If you have print books, put them up where you can see them. Print out great feedback about your stories and hang it in a prominent place.

Keep a Word Count File to measure your progress – and do your best to write every day, even if it’s just a few words.

See how far you’ve come already!

Step 3 to Silence the Inner Critic: Use EFT-tapping

This is the kicker. Really. EFT-tapping is an awesome technique, and it can create shifts really fast. So I’m inviting you to try it out!

You’ll find a demo video right here – click here. I really want you to learn the points and the technique, because that empowers you to do quite a bit on your own. I’m here for you if you need deeper work.

Now watch that video and substitute the following words for the ones I use there:

Even though I’m so used to listening to that inner critic and believe him most of the time, I’m okay the way I am and I now choose to shift into appreciation and enjoy my life.

Even though I’ve listened to my inner critic for so long that I’m almost believing what he says about me, I’m okay the way I am and I now choose to see that I am much, much more than what that critic says – and appreciate that.

Even though I may have almost given up on my creative dreams because that inner critic is so relentless at times, I’m okay the way I am and I now choose to appreciate nourish that creative spark in me.

Your Turn:

So what are you appreciating today?
What beauty did you find today?
What made you smile?

Help to inspire others and share your findings in a comment!

*Image source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts and the video. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive that tapping round plus occasional special offers – or go to the sign-up page.

PPS: I can help you silence that Inner Critic by looking at the origins of that voice and tapping on it. EFT is the fastest way I know to shift limiting beliefs, old thought habits and other kinds of blocks. Click HERE and send me an email. Together, we’ll figure out how I can support you best.

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Release Stress and Sleep Well

Posted on 25. October 2018 by fmoebius

Deep Sleep

Deep Sleep

We writers often stress about things.

Deadlines. New releases. Reviews. Dropping sales, and Kindle Unlimited…

And sometimes, that means we can’t sleep at night. Or that sleep isn’t restful.

Or – and this just happened to me – your dentist tells you that you’re clenching your teeth at night, and that this is not good at all.

In fact, I’ll probably get a mouth guard soon (or is there a better term?).  But the truth is, that mouth guard only takes care of a symptom.

The real issue here is stress.

And then I remembered that I actually know this fabulous technique for stress release!

I’ve been tapping every night since then, focusing on releasing stress and allowing peace. My mouth is much less shredded… I think it’s working. And that’s why I want to share this with you.

In the video, I’m talking about some simple techniques, a visualization that might help, and about being aware of the signs and signals your body is sending you.

I would really encourage you to try a quick, simple tapping round before turning off the light – or even after! Test this for a couple of days and see whether your sleep is getting better and you feel more rested.

And here are some tapping phrases for you to play with.

Tapping Suggestions

Even though I am so stressed about everything I have to do, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to let go of all that stress and get a good night’s sleep.

Even though I am so stressed about my writing and everything connected to it, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to let all this stress flow out and away, so I can sleep well.

Even though I feel all that stress in my body and it keeps me awake, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to let that stress flow out and away, so my body can heal while I sleep.

What is stressing you most about your writing?
Can you let go of it?

Please share in a comment. Thank you.

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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Yes, You Can Write

Posted on 18. October 2018 by fmoebius

Building Creativity

Building Creativity

This is a very, very basic issue, especially for writers but also for all creatives.

Because very often, deep inside, we believe we can’t. It doesn’t even have to show or be obvious.

But creativity doesn’t exactly get encouraged in schools, colleges and universities.

It gets kids into trouble more often than not.

And deep down inside, we remember. All of that. Those awkward moments. The stares. The punishments. The scolding.

And we doubt ourselves.

I’d like to show you that this doesn’t have to continue. Watch.

 

I want you to know that, yes. You can write. You can be creative. And you can have all the fun in the world doing so.

If you’re even a bit like me, hearing this once is probably not enough. That’s why I offer you tapping phrases – to get that knowing from your head into your heart.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I learned as a kid that being creative leads to trouble, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to know that I’m grown and can be creative as much as I want.

Even though I was scolded as a kid for being creative, for drawing, writing and painting my own stuff, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to be just as creative as I want to be.

Even though I created rules for myself that protected me from being scolded and laughed at and getting punished, and I stuffed down my creativity, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to let go of that old pain and recover my creative me.

What are your limiting beliefs on writing?
Which one would you like to get rid of first?

Please share in a comment. Thank you.

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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Why Authors have Superpowers

Posted on 11. October 2018 by fmoebius

Saving the World one Story at a Time

Saving the World one Story at a Time

That’s big, isn’t it?

It’s stuff for superheroes, right?

But what if you and me could save the world, making it better one little step at a time?

Maybe by simple things: Being kind and caring. Lending a hand. Being aware.

We could change habits. I for one have taking a cotton bag to carry my groceries for decades. I walk to work, because I can.

And then, of course, we are authors. We tell stories.

How do stories save the world?

In many, many ways. I talk about that in my video.

 

So. Do you believe you have superpowers now?

Then sit down and write.

And if you still have doubts and fears, here’s some tapping for you.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I always thought that story-telling wasn’t really important and just entertainment, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m now open to the possibility they do something bigger than just entertain people.

Even though it felt wrong to spend time writing stories while the world gets worse and there is so much injustice, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to see how my stories have the potential to change the world.

Even though I’ve always thought that I was just writing books, sitting quietly in my corner, and it felt like I wasn’t contributing much, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to believe that my books can change lives.

What is your personal superpower as author?
Which one would you love to have?

Please share in a comment. Thank you.

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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Why you should get Time-Outs

Posted on 4. October 2018 by fmoebius

creative daydreaming

Creative Daydreaming

As you probably noticed, I took time out in the last two weeks. I visited family and friends, went on hikes, enjoyed nature, new views, interesting food and lots of conversations.

And I renewed my mind, body and soul.

Truth is, I needed that after several very stressful weeks.

Now, of course we indie authors, freelancers and entrepreneurs worry about not earning money during those time-outs. We worry about productivity going down. And it is true that we cannot keep up a tight production schedule if we go away for ten days or more.

Here’s the thing.

We live in a time of self-optimization. There are lots of books out there teaching us to be even more productive, to use our time to the fullest. I remember reading the tip of one mother to hit the 1 on the microwave three times because it was faster than entering 100 for one minute of zapping.

I also remember feeling utterly shocked at reading that.

If it is necessary to optimize our time use to a fraction of a second when we reasonably have 16 hours in a day, what are we doing to ourselves?

In the video, I talk about why everyone, but especially we creative types need time-outs. Little ones every day, and even big ones, to travel and to renew ourselves and our minds.

 

Yes, I know. You’re probably still feeling resistance to “doing less”. You don’t want to “waste” 20 minutes on mediation, or a walk. You don’t want to lose any of your productive time.

But honestly? Are you typing during all of your “productive time”? If you’re not, you might profit from stepping away from your desk or laptop and move around. Give yourself space to “not think” and instead to create.

Here’s some tapping to help you shift out of that pressure to be productive.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I can’t imagine taking a vacation or just a regular time-out every day, I’m way too busy, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I choose to get creative about this idea.

Even though it feels impossible to set aside time to daydream and do nothing, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I’m open to the idea of experimenting with it.

Even though it feels so counter-intuitive to do nothing when I am in such a rush to produce stuff, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to play with new ways of being creative.

What do you do for a time-out?

Please share in a comment. Thank you.

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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Why?

Posted on 13. September 2018 by fmoebius

The Joy of Creating

The Joy of Creating

I mean, why do we do these things?

And I’m not talking about the day job, housework, cleaning, taking out the trash or doing taxes.

No, I mean, why do we do these writing things? Creative things?

Of course, the first answer probably is because it’s fun. And that’s cool. I’d also say it gives us satisfaction. A good feeling. Maybe some joy deep inside.

But I like to believe there is something underneath even that. Something bigger. Something more powerful.

You see, all my life I’ve wanted to make the world a better place.

And I believe that those of you who are here, might also have that desire. To bring more beauty into the world. More kindness, more love, maybe more peace.

We do this through our stories and through the way we treat others.

Watch the video for more thoughts on this.

Of course, there are days where we cannot feel that joy. When it’s hard to write or be creative. As usual, I’d suggest using EFT tapping in such cases.

Because it really is just some old kind of interference. Removing it allow you to reconnect to that joy. And you don’t even know what it’s about – just give yourself permission to release that old stuff.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I can’t connect to that joy today and that means I don’t feel like creating anything, I’m still okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to release all that old stuff that’s stopping me today.

Even though it annoying and frustrating to feel so blocked away from the joy of creating, I’m still okay the way I am, and I choose to let go of everything that’s blocking me now.

Even though it’s so difficult today to cut through all that old stuff and find the joy of creating, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release all resistance gently and easily and give myself permission to create.

What does writing give you?

Please share in a comment. Thank you.

 

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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Growing Pains

Posted on 6. September 2018 by fmoebius

growing pains

Growing Pains

We all know the growing pains kids feel when their bones grow.

But there’s a different kind of growing pain that has to do with personal growth.

Personal growth very basically means learning stuff and doing stuff that’s new. And uncomfortable. And challenging – before it becomes the new normal.

The feelings, fears, resistance and struggle evoked by those changes are growing pains, as well.

And wow, do they hit authors!

Because authors tend to discover there is actually a whole business involved when you try to get your stories out there. We need to market, wrangle newsletters, run a website – do taxes, even!

And all of these things don’t necessarily come naturally to a story-teller.

Lots of growing pain.

In the video, I tell you what can help.

 

And yes, of course, I’m suggesting EFT. After all, it’s exactly what I use to deal with my own growing pains.

Here are some phrases for you to get tapping.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I feel all this fear and upset and rebellion, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release those emotions and move with the flow.

Even though all these changes and new things are demanding, unfamiliar and scary, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now remind myself that I have learned lots of things in my life and that I can do this.

Even though I hate feeling those growing pains, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to know that growth is part of life and that I can choose to walk through that change with grace and ease.

What causes you to feel growing pains?

Please share in a comment.

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

Image Source: F. Moebius

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When Sh* Happens

Posted on 30. August 2018 by fmoebius

Oh, sh*

Oh, sh*!

… we tend to go into panic mode first.

Unless there’s First Aid to do, of course, and then we panic after. Ah, never mind.

Back to the original thought: Our first response to sudden shock and stress is programmed deep into our most ancient parts of our brain, and it is limited to three options:

Fight, flight or Freeze.

That used to save lives. It worked fairly well until we humans decided to live in larger groups than simple clans.

In our current world, unfortunately for us, those ancient responses tend to make things worse. Why?

Fight turns into anger or fury.

Flight turns into fear.

Freeze turns into panic.

None of that helps to solve a problem. Staying in that part of our brain – which people like to call reptile brain – actually prevents creative problem solving.

Here’s why:

 

If you are currently in a stressful situation, I hope that the hold and breathe exercise already helped a little. (If you don’t know the tapping points, go to my free stuff and watch the Tapping Video.)

You may need a bit more serious tapping in order to release that anger or fear and bring your creative brain back online. Which is why I have some suggestions here.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I’m so angry, I want to smash something, this is such sh*, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to let go of anger and activate my problem solving superpower.

Even though I’m so scared, I’m shaking with fear, this is so terrible, I’m still totally okay, and I now choose to release that fear, to know it’s not about life and death, and to bring my creative superpower back online.

Even though I just want to sink into the earth or crawl under a rock, this is so terrible, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release that panic and allow my wonderful brain to come up with creative solutions.

Bonus – one I actually used yesterday:

Even though I’m scared to death, I’m totally okay the way I am, and I choose to know deep down that this is not life-threatening.

Please share and inspire others:
What was a situation where you needed to think creatively?
What kind of solution did you come up with?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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EFT for Authors – I don’t WANNA!

Posted on 23. August 2018 by fmoebius

Toddler Tantrum

Toddler Tantrum

This week, I got hit with that kind of rebellion.

Feeling like a toddler, screaming with resistance, stamping my feet, hitting the floor with my fists kind of rebellion.

Childish.

Annoying.

And real.

Do you know that feeling?

If you do, cool. Because that means you’re open to your emotions, and you are receiving messages from your writer brain (aka subconscious).

If you don’t, well… I want to encourage you to open yourself to them.

Because these feelings are not bad. They are simply a message. And it’s important that you listen to them.

Watch the video where I explain why.

 

Okay, so now you want to look deeper and you find that’s rather difficult? That is actually normal, especially if you’re not use to doing this. But it’s worth it.

And EFT is so awesome, you can actually tap for allowing to see the problem and giving your subconscious permission to come up with solutions. Our brains are awesome problem solving tools – once we get the emotions out of the way. So yes… tap.

Tapping Phrases

Even though I’m so angry and so rebellious, I really don’t “wanna”, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now choose to release the anger and take a good look at the underlying issue.

Even though I feel so rebellious, I could scream and yell, I’m still totally okay the way I am, and I now give myself permission to receive the message and look beyond that rebellion.

Even though I really balk at this thing and I feel totally rebellious, I’m really okay the way I am, and I now choose to receive the message and look at the underlying issues with love and be open to change.

Asking you:
Are you familiar with this feeling of rebellion?
What have you done about it before?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – are you using tapping with your writing?
Please share in a comment.

Image Source: F. Moebius

PS: My newsletter contains a full tapping round to go with my blog posts, so it’ll be easier for you to get results. Sign up through the form on the upper right hand corner, and receive my Introduction to EFT as a gift. If you’re on a mobile and can’t see the sidebar, you can sign up through this link: Newsletter Sign-up.

And no. I will never use that email to send you anything other than my newsletter.

PPS: There is a roundabout way to my newsletter that’ll give you something really neat: an email series called “30 Days Daily Writing Habit” which is free. If you sign up for that, you’re automatically added to my newsletter, as well. (And you can always unsubscribe.)

PPPS: For those of you who are curious, you can find my books here: Hannah Steenbock

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