Any negative action or event, affects us on a visceral level. We feel the storm of it in our mind, body, and soul, as though we were a tree in a hurricane.

We may experience real symptoms and can be susceptible to catching a cold, headaches, gastral problems etc, because we’re humans and not machines.

And yet, society and we disregard such side effects; we try to solder on, completely over-looking the fact that we need to acknowledge our feelings, and designate the time to process them. One of the reasons that physical symptoms last, is because many of our feelings are imbedded deep in our subconscious minds: over sixty percent of us find it hard to correctly identify the complex emotions that we carry. We instead, try to endeavour, and navigate through our hectic lives; weighed down, by sensations, that we largely simply ignore. But it is no different to trying to run a marathon with a stomach full of undigested food.

The trauma therefore builds, and I liken it to constipation of the mind. We need to learn how to rid of it, because we all deserve to live full and happy lives.

Because I’m midst processing the death of my abusive mother, whereby condolences are neither wanted or frankly appropriate; I’m in the blizzard of my own feelings. The Emma tree has of course taken some bashing, and yet I know that the roots of me are robust, even though some of the minor twigs are broken. I still feel grounded and in a mindset of wishing to thrive.

This is due to several factors, the foundation of them orientating around the cerebral palsy becoming more challenging. I must remain slim, or face surgery to help keep me mobile. Almost four years ago, I started exercising and I eat the recommended quota of fresh produce. This is vital to sustain a strong sense of wellbeing; what we eat, truly effects our mood and bodily functionality. Sugar for instance can cause hormonal imbalance whereas 100% pure maple syrup promotes brain health, and helps to prevent type two diabetes, whilst also reducing inflammation.

Additionally, I allocate the time to process my feelings, and I acknowledge every one, allowing and validating them into my thoughts. But most importantly, I force my human intellect to take charge, picturing it at the hub of my mind, as though it were the Emma teacher; she reminds me that I cannot change, nor control any of my mother’s past and ongoing machinations.

Finally, I recall the lyrics of Taylor Swift: “Shake it off.” She is not just a hugely successful songstress; she is a wise lady, who is advocating the importance of somatic movement therapy. In the animal kingdom, trauma doesn’t have the same affects as we humans experience, since animals shake the trauma out of their systems.  We can emulate them, by doing the same. Or by popping on our favourite tunes: Blondie every time for me, and dance out our stress. Suffice to state, I’m doing lots of jigging about and singing, and it’s a fantastic support.

I’d just like to thank my childhood friend Paul, for introducing me to Blondie. I listen to her every day, and her bouncy tunes are incredibly soul-nourishing for me.

I hope you find this helpful.

With SUNNY wishes,

Emma xx