Healing Steps

10/26/2026

Taking care of everyone else and forgetting to include yourself?

Take a couple of minutes and tap with whatever is here right now.

Side of hand — repeat the three statements:

Even though I’ve been taking care of so many other people, I can acknowledge what this has been like for me.

Even though so much of my attention goes toward what everyone else needs, maybe I can notice what I need, too.

Even though part of me may believe other people need me more than I need myself, I’m open to being curious about that.

Then tap through the points:

Eyebrow: I’ve been taking care of so much.
Side of eye: Paying attention to what everyone else needs.
Under eye: Maybe I haven’t noticed what that’s been like for me.
Under nose: What if caring for myself doesn’t mean caring less about anyone else?
Chin: Maybe I can include myself, too.
Collarbone: My needs don’t have to matter only when I’m exhausted.
Under arm: Maybe I can receive as well as give.
Top of head: I wonder what becomes possible when I don’t leave myself out.

Take a slow, deep breath.

Notice what you’re feeling now. If something more specific has come up, gently tap through another round using whatever words fit what you’re noticing.

There’s no requirement to stop caring for anyone else.

Maybe the invitation is simply to include yourself among the people worthy of your care.

And then ask yourself:

What do I need today—and am I willing to let that matter?

10/21/2026

Side of Eye

The Side of Eye point is on the Gallbladder meridian. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this meridian is associated with decision-making and taking action. Emotional themes can include frustration, resentment, anger, and feeling stuck, with greater balance associated with clarity, flexibility, and moving forward.

In EFT, the Side of Eye is one of the points we commonly tap, usually about 5–7 times before moving to the next point. You can use words, or simply notice what you’re feeling as you tap.

There’s no perfect way to tap. Notice what’s here and let the tapping meet you there.

10/19/2026

Waiting for an answer and not knowing what’s going to happen?

Take a couple of minutes and tap with whatever is here right now.

Side of hand — repeat 3 times:

Even though I don’t know what’s going to happen, I can acknowledge how hard it is not to know.

Even though part of me really wants an answer right now, I can be present with what I’m feeling while I wait.

Even though my mind keeps trying to figure out what happens next, maybe I don’t have to know yet.

Then tap through the points:

Eyebrow: I don’t know what’s going to happen.
Side of eye: And I really wish I knew.
Under eye: Part of me believes knowing would make me safer.
Under nose: But is that always true?
Chin: Maybe I don’t need to know everything in order to be safe.
Collarbone: What if not knowing isn’t something I need to fix?
Under arm: Maybe uncertainty can be safe, too.
Top of head: I wonder what it would feel like to let myself not know.

Take a slow, deep breath.

Notice what you’re feeling now. If something more specific has come up, gently tap through another round using whatever words fit what you’re noticing.
You don’t have to make yourself comfortable with not knowing.
Maybe you don’t have to live every possible future before any of them has happened.

And then ask yourself:

What is actually here for me today?

10/14/2026

Eyebrow

The Eyebrow point is on the Bladder meridian. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this meridian is associated with fear, stress, tension, and feeling on alert, with greater balance associated with calm and courage.

In EFT, the Eyebrow is one of the points we commonly tap, usually about 5–7 times before moving to the next point. You can use words, or simply notice what you’re feeling as you tap.

There’s no perfect way to tap. Notice what’s here and let the tapping meet you there.

10/12/2026

Is your body changing in ways you don’t like?

Take a couple of minutes and tap with whatever is here right now.

Side of hand — repeat 3 times:

Even though a part of me doesn't like this change in my body, I can acknowledge how I really feel about it.

Even though a part of me wishes my body were different right now, I can be present with what this brings up for me.

Even though part of me wants my old body back, or wants this body to change, I can meet myself where I am today.

Then tap through the points:

Eyebrow: I don’t like this change in my body.
Side of eye: I wish this were different.
Under eye: I notice how much this bothers me.
Under nose: Maybe I’m comparing myself to who I used to be.
Chin: I don’t have to love every change.
Collarbone: Maybe I can listen to what my body needs today.
Under arm: Maybe I can meet my body where it is right now.
Top of head: I wonder what might still be possible in this body.

Take a slow, deep breath.

Notice what you’re feeling now. If something more specific has come up, gently tap through another round using whatever words fit what you’re noticing.
There’s no requirement to finish this tapping loving your body.

Maybe, for today, it’s enough to be a little less at war with it.

10/09/2026

What does the research say about EFT tapping and stress?

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis looked at 17 randomized controlled trials examining Clinical EFT for psychological and physiological stress.
The researchers found that Clinical EFT was associated with large reductions in psychological stress, along with more modest improvements in physiological measures of stress.

This is one of the reasons I value EFT as part of my work at Healing Steps. I appreciate having a modality that can be used with the very real stress, anxiety, and overwhelm that are part of being human.

And the research exploring EFT continues to grow.

Read the study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42425024/

10/07/2026

Side of Hand

The Side of Hand point is on the Small Intestine meridian. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this meridian is associated with discernment—sorting through what we take in and what we let go. Emotional themes can include confusion, indecision, overwhelm, and difficulty knowing what feels right, with greater balance associated with clarity and discernment.

In EFT, the Side of Hand is often used for the “Even though…” setup statements, but there’s no requirement to find the perfect words—or to use words at all. You can simply bring your attention to what you’re feeling and tap.

There’s no perfect way to tap. Notice what’s here and let the tapping meet you there.

10/05/2026

Feeling like you’re carrying too much?

Take a couple of minutes and tap with whatever is here right now.

Side of hand — repeat 3 times:

Even though I’m carrying so much right now, I can be present with how this feels.

Even though there are so many things that need my attention, I can gently acknowledge what this is like for me.

Even though part of me feels like I have to keep holding all of this, I can be here with myself right now.

Then tap through the points:

Eyebrow: I’m carrying so much.
Side of eye: There are so many things to think about.
Under eye: So many things that need my attention.
Under nose: And I’m trying to keep track of all of it.
Chin: Maybe I don’t have to hold everything at once.
Collarbone: Maybe some things can wait.
Under arm: I don’t have to solve tomorrow today.
Top of head: Maybe I can put something down, even for a little while.

Take a slow, deep breath.

Notice what you’re feeling now. If something more specific has come up, gently tap through another round using whatever words fit what you’re noticing.

And then ask yourself:

What, if anything, can I put down today?

10/02/2026

Feeling anxious about the state of the world? Take two minutes and tap with whatever is here right now.

Side of hand — repeat 3 times:

Even though I’m feeling anxious about the state of the world, I can be present with what I’m feeling.

Even though I notice this anxiety in my ________, I can gently acknowledge that it’s here.

Even though there’s a lot I can’t control, I can be here with myself right now.

Then tap through the points:

Eyebrow: This anxiety.
Side of eye: All this uncertainty.
Under eye: I notice what I’m feeling.
Under nose: I notice where I feel it in my body.
Chin: Just being here with it.
Collarbone: I don’t have to solve anything right now.
Under arm: Just noticing and breathing.
Top of head: Maybe I can make a little room for the magic that is still here.

Take a slow, deep breath. Look around and notice where you are. Let your eyes land on something that feels pleasant, beautiful, or safe.

Notice how you feel now. If the anxiety is still there—or if tapping brought up a little more—gently tap through another round or two, using whatever words fit what you’re noticing. Take slow, deep breaths between rounds.

And when you feel ready, look around again. Notice what else is here.

04/16/2026

Last week I wrote about patterns and how easy it is to stay stuck in them.

This is Part 2.

Because even when we do recognize them…

“I know why I do this.”
“I see the pattern…”

And still… nothing changes.

That’s the frustrating part.

But it also makes sense.

Because insight isn’t what our system is organized around.

Safety is.

And until something feels safe enough…

the pattern stays.

If you want to read both parts, they’re here:
https://healingsteps.us/f/the-robin-the-pretzels-and-the-patterns-we-don%E2%80%99t-see
https://healingsteps.us/f/why-insight-isnt-enough-for-change

There is currently a robin who has declared war on my window.