Lit Salon on why it feels so damn scary to write through the body, why we're so terrified of what might come up, and five concrete methods to write from the body more safely and vividly
I did not know the human hand has 17,000 touch receptors! And the burned butt story - skin a-hangin’ - is SO good. Can’t wait to see how my writing (and I) will grow through this challenge. Thank you for another incredibly thoughtful offering ♥️
“I used to hate it when he touched my stomach, but now I do not.” Reading every word after that line, I was divided. Part of me was nodding my head with excitement, admiration, knowing. Yes, yes, yes! I want to leap into this intensive with eyes closed, head first. Another part was remembering how and precisely why I still hate when anyone - especially any male, including my beloved partner - touches my belly. More than two decades on now, the scar remains sensitive. I can’t wait for these exercises and teachings, Jeannine. So grateful you’re offering them.
Wow! My mind is on overdrive just thinking about the writing possibilities here. Being embodied, being aware of what my body is doing is so essential to my mental, physical and spiritual well-being that I realize I'm taking body self-awareness for granted now. When my therapist asked me what I'm feeling, she wasn't asking a mental question, it was a body question. What is my body feeling right now. When I'm running, especially on my ultra runs beyond 20, 30 miles or longer, I'm doomed for failure if I'm not in tune with my breathing, my heart rate, my muscle tension and so many other dynamics. Taking an embodied perspective is such a fantastic way to get to interiority. Thanks, Jeannine.
Also, I think that embodied writing is very external (not entirely, of course, but very), which may be a revelation to some writers (and may feel counterintuitive or even wrong to some). But, we will certainly explore that in the challenge!
This is my most beloved quote of all time. A guide for living in one sentence. I've always said that IF I ever get a tattoo (unlikely since I'm not into voluntary pain) it will be these words. 💜
How can we build the lives we want, the lives we imagine for ourselves, without a clear operational system that discerns between what is inside of us and what is outside of us, and how those two realms reflect one another and, in the end, intersect?
THIS IS THE QUESTION OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. Thank you for putting it into words.
Love this and happy to have stumbled across your work this week Jeannine. Learning to work somatically in the therapy room, especially with trauma, has been transformational for me in my own self-discovery and my work with clients. I notice I have not yet learned to integrate this fully with writing though (which tends to take me into my head) and look forward to learning so much more from you.
Jeannine, this is such divine timing. I just started releasing an essay today in installments. It's figuratively and literally visceral, dealing with trapped emotions, stage fright, trauma, and (in subsequent chapters) even the vagus nerve and the pelvic floor. Several readers reached out specifically to say, "your writing has come such a long way," and I attribute this one million percent to my work in somatic emotional processing. I've begun to use language to move through a feeling instead of rail against it or gussy it up. It can absolutely feel like putting your hand in a garbage disposal; you're convinced it will turn on of its own accord. But you're exactly right, you can always say "thank you, but not now."
Your essay project sounds amazing. And I am very interested in somatic work, particularly for my foster grandson. I want to learn more about it. Very glad to meet you here!
This is the one that turned me into a paying subscriber. I can relate to so much of what you've written here, Jeannine (I kiss my dog on the mouth too 😆). I'm excited to join you on the journey of embodied writing. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
I did not know the human hand has 17,000 touch receptors! And the burned butt story - skin a-hangin’ - is SO good. Can’t wait to see how my writing (and I) will grow through this challenge. Thank you for another incredibly thoughtful offering ♥️
I thought the same of that example -- so good. Really excited for this one, too.
“I used to hate it when he touched my stomach, but now I do not.” Reading every word after that line, I was divided. Part of me was nodding my head with excitement, admiration, knowing. Yes, yes, yes! I want to leap into this intensive with eyes closed, head first. Another part was remembering how and precisely why I still hate when anyone - especially any male, including my beloved partner - touches my belly. More than two decades on now, the scar remains sensitive. I can’t wait for these exercises and teachings, Jeannine. So grateful you’re offering them.
Yes. The scar remains sensitive. So glad to be writing with you, Dana!
Wow! My mind is on overdrive just thinking about the writing possibilities here. Being embodied, being aware of what my body is doing is so essential to my mental, physical and spiritual well-being that I realize I'm taking body self-awareness for granted now. When my therapist asked me what I'm feeling, she wasn't asking a mental question, it was a body question. What is my body feeling right now. When I'm running, especially on my ultra runs beyond 20, 30 miles or longer, I'm doomed for failure if I'm not in tune with my breathing, my heart rate, my muscle tension and so many other dynamics. Taking an embodied perspective is such a fantastic way to get to interiority. Thanks, Jeannine.
I can imagine that athletes in general are more attuned to their physical bodies, yes!
Also, I think that embodied writing is very external (not entirely, of course, but very), which may be a revelation to some writers (and may feel counterintuitive or even wrong to some). But, we will certainly explore that in the challenge!
Intriguing. It does sound counterintuitive to me but so has a lot of the suggestions you made...until I try it and realize it's genius. :)))
That's so sweet and encouraging, thank you!
This is my most beloved quote of all time. A guide for living in one sentence. I've always said that IF I ever get a tattoo (unlikely since I'm not into voluntary pain) it will be these words. 💜
It's a really, really good one!
How can we build the lives we want, the lives we imagine for ourselves, without a clear operational system that discerns between what is inside of us and what is outside of us, and how those two realms reflect one another and, in the end, intersect?
THIS IS THE QUESTION OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. Thank you for putting it into words.
You are so welcome. I think it is the question of all of our lives. It requires constant attention!
Love this and happy to have stumbled across your work this week Jeannine. Learning to work somatically in the therapy room, especially with trauma, has been transformational for me in my own self-discovery and my work with clients. I notice I have not yet learned to integrate this fully with writing though (which tends to take me into my head) and look forward to learning so much more from you.
Yay! I have noticed more healers in this space, and am so happy for that influx. Excited to write with you!
Just upgraded to Founding Member! I'm so excited for this.
That's wonderful, Laura!! I am so excited to write with you!
Jeannine, this is such divine timing. I just started releasing an essay today in installments. It's figuratively and literally visceral, dealing with trapped emotions, stage fright, trauma, and (in subsequent chapters) even the vagus nerve and the pelvic floor. Several readers reached out specifically to say, "your writing has come such a long way," and I attribute this one million percent to my work in somatic emotional processing. I've begun to use language to move through a feeling instead of rail against it or gussy it up. It can absolutely feel like putting your hand in a garbage disposal; you're convinced it will turn on of its own accord. But you're exactly right, you can always say "thank you, but not now."
Your essay project sounds amazing. And I am very interested in somatic work, particularly for my foster grandson. I want to learn more about it. Very glad to meet you here!
Likewise ❤️
This is the one that turned me into a paying subscriber. I can relate to so much of what you've written here, Jeannine (I kiss my dog on the mouth too 😆). I'm excited to join you on the journey of embodied writing. Thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Thank you for being here!! So glad to look forward to writing with you!
"We can and should find incredible depth of meaning in very ordinary moments." Yes!
I do sometimes say that good writing can feel like wrestling. I am excited to write along with you!