The First Cut is the Deepest
How Getting to the Root Heals You Faster
I had a breakthrough after a conversation with my friend Jolee about clearing emotional blocks with EFT tapping. While I absolutely love EFT for so many reasons—helping with anxiety, releasing subconscious blocks, and just generally making me feel amazing—there are times when I notice myself resisting tapping. During past sessions, I have had some pretty painful memories pop up. It’s a lot like hypnosis or hypnotherapy, where things we might not be ready to deal with are unearthed.
Resistance often comes from the fear of facing old wounds and pain we’ve avoided for so long. And that resistance? Totally normal.
Not All Blocks Are the Same
Here’s something Jolee & I both pointed out: some blocks feel easier to clear than others. Money blocks, for example, tend to be a little more straightforward. We know it’s an external issue we can work through with actions or mindset shifts. But blocks related to worthiness, love, and self-esteem? Those are a different beast.
When you’re dealing with emotional blocks tied to feelings of being unworthy or undeserving of love, it cuts deeper. Those aren’t just surface-level problems; they go to the core of how we see ourselves and relate to others. That’s precisely where EFT tapping works its magic! The beauty of tapping is that it gets to the root of those deeply embedded beliefs and helps release them. It doesn’t always feel easy, but the release makes the healing possible.
Clearing the Pus: The First Step to Healing
Now, this is where our conversation took a bit of a gross turn. But, as I laughed through this analogy, I knew it made perfect sense! EFT tapping is like cleaning a physical wound. If you’ve ever had a cut, you know that a scab forms over the wound, but you can’t just leave it there and hope it heals on its own. If you don’t clean it properly, it can become infected. You need to dig deep, release the pus (ew, I know), and clean it up before it can start healing. And yeah, it hurts a little, but it’s necessary for proper healing.
That’s what EFT tapping does—it clears out the emotional “pus.” It goes to the core of those painful memories and unresolved feelings and helps you release them. When you do this, the emotional weight you’ve been carrying starts to lighten. But if you leave that wound covered up without addressing it, nothing changes. The healing can’t fully happen if you don’t allow yourself to feel the pain and let it go. On top of that, while it can be difficult, it’s essential to go to the earliest memory of having an experience with what you are trying to clear. The first cut is the deepest, after all.
Healing the Emotional Wound: Pouring in the Antiseptic
Once the pus is out, the next step is to treat the wound so it doesn’t get infected again. This is where EFT helps with the healing process—after you’ve cleared the negative emotions, you start filling the space with positive beliefs, affirmations, and self-love. You can think of this as pouring some hydrogen peroxide over the wound to prevent further '“emotional infections.”
When you go through this process, you begin to feel lighter. It’s like releasing a weight you didn’t even know you were carrying. But if you don’t clear out the gunk, it just stays there. It festers. The emotional wound will remain open, and you’ll continue to carry around that heaviness. It can even show up as actual physical pain in the body. Been there, healed that!
Time & Patience: The True Foundation of Healing
Just like a physical wound takes time to heal fully, emotional wounds need patience and care, too. EFT tapping isn’t a quick fix—it’s an ongoing process. Sometimes, it takes more than one session to release everything tied to a specific issue. It’s totally normal to revisit old memories or blocks and tap on them a few more times. I am still working on my blocks!
Healing isn’t linear, either. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’ve made huge strides, only to find yourself facing a familiar issue again. Wherever you are is normal! Just like a wound might heal in layers, emotional healing happens in layers, too. Each time you peel back a layer, you’re getting closer to true emotional freedom.
The Planets Are in Retrograde, & So Are Our Feelings
If you’ve been feeling a little off lately, trust me, it’s not just you. The planets have been planeting (hello, Venus in retrograde), and our emotions definitely reflect that energy. But this is the perfect time to lean into it. Use EFT tapping to clear out the emotional blocks and make space for new, positive energy to flow in. We’re in a season of clearing, and tapping is the tool that can help you do that.
Conclusion: You Can’t Heal What You Don’t Feel
You can’t heal what you don’t allow yourself to feel. EFT tapping helps you go deep, clear out the emotional gunk, and make space for healing. It’s not always comfortable, but the release is worth it. Next time you feel that resistance to tapping—when the old pain is bubbling up—remember: that’s actually a sign that you’re on the right track. Healing isn’t about avoiding pain; it’s about releasing it so it no longer holds you back.
Grilled Panzanella Salad
I swear this warm grilled vegetable salad has healing properties. While pasta will always be my number one love, this easy and flavorful dish is a picture of health!
Ingredients:
2 thick slices of sourdough bread, chopped roughly
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
1 eggplant, halved lengthwise
2 medium heirloom tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Arrange the chopped bread in a baking sheet drizzled with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt and pepper. Place in the oven under the broiler for up to 5 minutes until toasted.
Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper to the vegetables. Place a grill pan over medium-high heat. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer and grill in batches until grill-marked and tender, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and chop the vegetables into 1-inch pieces. Add the vegetables, bread, and chopped basil to a bowl and gently combine.
Scoop yourself a hearty ladle or two, and enjoy this grilled Panzanella salad's beautiful, vibrant flavors!
Love & Pasta (or, in this case, Panzanella)
-JS
"Just like a physical wound takes time to heal fully, emotional wounds need patience and care, too. " What a great reminder and a lovely recipe to boot!