Written by Stephanie Orphanacos
Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things, but something still feels… stuck. Like you’re paddling hard, but your canoe isn’t making any headway? That is a sign for me of an energy block. It may be subtle (or it may not) but it signifies a powerful disruption in the way my emotional, mental, and physical systems are flowing.
These blocks can show up as procrastination, indecision, emotional fatigue, or even physical symptoms like migraines or cramping. As a woman, I have a tendency to hide behind perfectionism, if it isn’t absolutely amazing then I need to keep at it until it is. I can overdo even the simplest of tasks and stay stuck forever. I can be a people-pleaser and get frustrated when my constant push to “make it happen” doesn’t produce the outcomes I want.
So where do these blocks come from?
Well, you know I love psychology! These blocks are often rooted in unprocessed emotions, limiting beliefs, or unconscious patterns that I have practised over my life. My early childhood, past failures, and even generational conditioning have all worked to cloud my clarity, disrupt my alignment, and sabotage my momentum.
Clearing them requires presence, not pressure.
And I cannot change those things that happened when I was young. But I’m a mature woman now! I can certainly change how I respond to things. For me, it’s about tuning in. I need to ask myself, where do I feel stuck? What emotion am I avoiding? What part of me needs to be heard or healed?
I have new tools in my toolbox that didn’t exist for me when I was younger. I love breath-work, journaling, tapping (EFT), somatic movement, or working with a coach to shift the energy. Being part of a group of like-minded people isn’t something I thought I would ever experience. But man, now that I’m here, it is pretty awesome. Talk about accentuating the positive!
As I clear these blocks, I have so much more space for confidence, creativity, and calm. I can actually say thank you now when someone recognizes my contributions. I seek out creative pursuits and allow myself to enjoy moments of stillness. It is so nice to feel in alignment. I can paddle this darn canoe anywhere, now!
Energy wants to move and when I finally unblock the flow, when I stop forcing and start receiving… the benefits are unlimited.
Stephanie Orphanacos B.A., CMed
Professor, Counsellor
Stephanie is in business as a Family Counsellor and a part-time Professor. Stephanie enjoys supporting her clients and her students as they wend their way through the system to access the supports and services they will need to achieve success for themselves or for their children. Bringing her years of experience in multiple therapeutic modalities and her background in crisis management, mediation and program development, Stephanie mentors her clients on how best to locate or develop the resources they require to realize their specific goals or objectives.