Somatic Tips for Writing Professionals

#1- Get Up!

Writers spend a lot of time in seated positions. And we all know the downside of that! Back pain, neck pain, sluggishness, and a slowed-down metabolism are just some of the ways we’re affected on the physical level. When affected physically, we can’t help but be affected emotionally. Where the body goes, the mind will follow. We lose inspiration, we can’t get in touch with joy, and we begin to hate what we once loved.

An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure- If you recognize movement as part of your self-care plan now, you are supporting yourself in your writing, your publishing, your editing, in fact, in every aspect of your life.

So get up! There’s no prescription for what to do when you get up. And, you don’t have to get up for long. Often, 30 seconds is enough. You could bounce your body, you could step outside for a minute, you could roll on the floor (even better with a pet), or you could put on music and dance for as long as you do. A little movement goes a long way.

#2- Embody the Experience

When you feel stuck in your writing, whether it’s with the character in your fiction book, your experience in a memoir, or with your teaching in a self-help book, getting into how the story moves in your body will reveal things your mind may not think of.

For example, if Janet is leaving the supermarket and heading to her in-laws' home, let yourself imagine you are Janet walking out of the store. Feel the outside air, the sun or rain on your skin, the weight of the packages you’re carrying, or the pushing of the cart as you walk to the car. Bring to mind that you are heading to your in-laws. Notice how your body responds. Do you speed up? Slow down? Feel dread or excitement? The character will show you what she’s feeling. When you know, you can write from that authentic experience.

If you’re writing self-help and teaching how to get in touch with emotions, but feel stuck with a feeling you don’t often experience yourself, imagining what that would feel like will inform what you teach. A friend asked me recently about moving with shame, and I had to check in with my own body first. I found a contracted position with my head down, and coming out of that hunched-over position felt difficult. So, I let myself peak out bit by bit. Surveying the landscape, so to speak. My friend felt this was something helpful and doable.

#3- Find Inspiration – Literally!

Too often, people try to think themselves into inspiration. But inspiration doesn’t come from thinking. Inspiration means to be in-spired. To be in Spirit. Spirit, creativity, and inspiration are all beyond the mind.

Instead of trying to force the next thought, go outside and smell the roses. Pick up a crayon and start scribbling. Put on some music and dance. Or, write about why you’re even writing in the first place. Remembering your passion may spark something new.

#4- Pretend You Do Know (or are an expert)

In your writing career, you undoubtedly will hit some emotional edges for yourself. You may be asked to speak in front of an audience, and that’s terrifying for you. Or, you may want to add licensing services but feel unqualified.  

When the mind’s chatter gets to us, quitting often feels like the best option. And, we might want to permit ourselves to do that for an hour or a day.

When we’re ready to explore taking on the next challenge, we can support ourselves by remembering what competency feels like in the body. Think of something you do feel competent with or about. Notice how your posture shifts simply thinking about that. Feel into this new posture. How does this you walk? Speak? Communicate? What does she have to tell you about stepping into the unknown? What skills do you already have that will translate? Where could you get support? What are your resources?

And then, maybe you want to allow yourself to move as if you are in front of that audience or receiving your first check for your newly licensed material. What does that feel like? How does she move? If she’s happy and joyful, great, go with that. If she’s shrinking in some way, let yourself wonder what else might be lurking below the initial thoughts.

#5- Find Expansion

A physically contracted body (shoulders hunched, arms tight by the sides, jaw clenched, hands in a fist) does not lend itself to creativity or expansion. A physically contracted body tells the universe, “Sorry, I’m closed for business”.

No need to judge if you often have a physically contracted body. We all do, at least sometimes. It’s pretty habitual in our society. We somehow think it’s keeping us safe. That’s a whole other story; for now, let’s focus on how to open and expand to new opportunities.

Take a deep breath and just notice what feels tight in your body. Start with the neck and shoulders and the jaw, very common places for holding in the body. Check your core, your hips, your hands, your feet- what feels rigid? What feels loose? Let your jaw go slack. Notice how good it feels to let go. Let your shoulders soften, your hips wiggle. Notice how you are literally making space in yourself to allow more. Keep going until you find your edge. You’ll know when it’s enough.

The opposite of being in a contracted body, an expanded body tells the universe you’re open to input, ideas and opportunities.