Author Interview: Melanie Smithson & Shake Yourself Free

Q: You write only non-fiction. What impelled you to start writing?

A: After 15 years of practice as a psychotherapist. I had gathered more than sufficient evidence confirming the lack of emotional education in this country. For years, I threatened to write books about almost every therapeutic issue in the book. In 2013, the material finally coalesced into my first book- Stress-Free in 30 Seconds- A Slightly Irreverent Approach to Navigating Life's Challenges. In that book, I offer playful techniques that can be done in 30 seconds or less when dealing with limiting beliefs, feelings, habits and relationships. My second book, ​Shake Yourself Free: 81 Somatic Practices to Let Go of Limitation ​(out January 13), also came into existence out of necessity. Like my first book, this book addresses common therapeutic issues, but goes deeper into the wisdom of the body and movement to support letting go.

Q: You're a somatic psychotherapist. Can you tell us what that is?

A: Somatic psychotherapy is a body-mind approach that supports deepening awareness of how thoughts affect emotions and the body, and how the body stores emotions that have not been given expression. Working with awareness, sensations, breath and movement we bring to consciousness what is stored in the body. Through non-judgmental awareness, we uncover and loosen held beliefs and behaviors that contribute to suffering. We also explore movement and posture that can allow different ways of being in relationship and the world. Many who have not benefited from traditional therapy have found relief with body-mind psychotherapy.

There are many types of work that fall under the umbrella of somatic psychotherapy; my degree is in dance/movement therapy.

Q: Do you think writing can help people with their feelings?

A: Absolutely. Just the willingness to speak or write about your emotions can be an act of courage. It's the first step in moving them. Writing invites us into a creative space where openness and curiosity are welcome, also key components in the healing journey. And specifically, writing (by hand) is a somatic practice. It's why I do my writing by hand first. When I write by hand, the words and wisdom on the paper are assimilated and grounded in my body. Often, when I write, I feel the information is coming from a source beyond me. I'm often learning in the process, so integrating that experience is important to me. I think a lot of people handwrite for the same reason, without necessarily knowing why.

Q: Any advice for writers in terms of navigating the sometimes challenging thoughts of not being good enough or not knowing what they are really doing or not being deserving?

A: For writers and others engaged in any creative process, it's important to know that the mind is not necessarily a fan. When you're in creative flow, there's a tendency to bypass the problem-solving mind. That part of the mind that's usually in charge, doesn't like not being in charge. Whether there’s a history of abuse and negative self-talk or not, the judging mind is not a friend to the creative process. (It acts similarly during hypnosis sessions for the same reason).

One tool (From Michael Singer's book, ​The Untethered Soul)​ I quite like is to imagine that voice sitting on the couch next to you. How long would you listen to it?

Adding a somatic element to that, put the voice next to you and then imagine embodying it. Does that voice sound like yours or someone else's? What happens if you change the tone of voice? How would that character move? What are the postures it assumes? What happens when you change the movement? These are just some light ways to start playing with the naysayer in all of us.

It's also important to acknowledge that the writing process could bring back unresolved feelings and memories. Go slow and get professional help when needed.

Q: What do you do when you just don't feel like writing? And what do you recommend for others?

A: I’m fortunate that writing is not my full-time job. I have the privilege of being able to write when inspired and when I feel like it. That said, occasionally there are deadlines and I “really don't want to”. One of the least effective responses to that is to try and make myself do it anyway. When anyone tells us to do anything (including ourselves), there's an automatic pushback. I have multiple alternative strategies for myself and others.

1. Allow yourself to have a fit. Be 5 years old, stomp your feet and say, “I don't want to”. Really go for it. This will help the feelings move so you can get back to work.

2. Invite wonder about everything. Ask “Why don't I want to?” “When might I want to?” “What would happen if I did want to?” and any other questions that come to mind. You may uncover feelings, including fear, under the resistance.

3. Negotiate with yourself- ask “What can I do?” “Would I be willing to write for 5 minutes?” (Getting started is often the hardest for me) or “How can I motivate you?” (Asking and listening to yourself)

Q: What about dealing with “writer’s block?”

A: I think of writer's block as a lack of inspiration. As such, I would engage in activities that inspire me, such as dancing or walking the dog. It could be painting, needlework, or anything that gets the creative juices flowing. Play with words or build a tower. Whatever supports getting yourself out of the way.

Q: What's been the hardest part of writing/ editing/publishing for you? And how did you navigate that?

A: The easiest part for me is the writing. The hardest part for me is everything else. The million edits, the cover design, the marketing materials, the formatting, the uploading are all hard. They are outside the scope of my practice as we say in the medical field. So much has changed since I first published. I feel like I'm learning how to be a publisher myself in the process of self-publishing and it's a lot.

What helps me keep going is the knowing that my book is important and that it has the potential to shift the effectiveness of therapy for thousands. And I keep applauding myself for my persistence. I don't tend to think of persistence as a strength of mine, rethinking that makes me feel good about myself and keeps me on the path.

You can find out more about Melanie and her book on her ​website​