How do I trust my body

Hey all,

I kinda stumbled upon this thought when trying to decide if i should skip a meetup with a friend or not and realized this is a recurring pattern.

As an example, the current situation: i feel a bit sick and exhausted at the moment (which i think is normal because i have a lot going on right now, but i'm not sure if "normal" people also would feel like this). A friend asked me If i would like to help in the garden tomorrow but i'm unsure whether i should go (cause gardening is supposed to be good for mind and body) or if my body is sending me the signal that i should take a break.

I realized i struggle with listening and honoring my bodies signals because i'm never sure what the right thing to do is. Adding to that, with TMS Work one should ignore the symptoms and go about the daily life, but i'm unsure whether these are symptoms that i should ignore or my bodies way of telling me to take a breather.

So my question: how do you know if your bodily signals are trying to tell you something or TMS?

 

@sleepyjay
You stop focusing so much on the physical “symptoms” and lean into the sensation of emotions and the psychological.
By now (I know you are an old pro at this), you know your physical symptoms. But what are your psychological symptoms or sensations you might feel when you don’t honor your inner life of emotions, destructive thoughts or self-talk?
“Worry about what the “right” thing to do is.. that’s anxiety. You do the TMS work to deal with the anxiety, not the physical symptoms. Read Claire Weekes. Journal (lifelong for many people) and reflect (without obsessing). Note with curiosity your physical sensations when triggered or when stress builds up. Note when you fall back into personality traits/behavioral patterns that can also be triggers. Deal with those by making changes in your thought pattern (brain retraining g), take time to just feel all the s*hit of daily life (meditation or engaging in calming activities).

You know all this stuff already. Notice when you avoid doing it, because you are most likely resisting and/or falling back into old habits of TMS like allowing yourself to distract by being “too busy” to do the work, putting it off, resisting etc.
@JanAtheCPA recently posted a Nichole Sach’s podcast that will better answer your questions and explain the “journey” taking time and how at different points in our life we can get to this level in the work.
Lastly, trust yourself. Your message is full of doubts. You already know this stuff! We all plateau and then at one point learn how to evolve in our journey. Open curious minds will get there!

 

About this question, there's also the nature of your symptoms. The TMS symptom might be caused by the the nervous system sensitivity, but for some people it also creates muscular tension. There's a balance that's up to you to find out, and there's not much escape from it. It's part of the journey, you have to let yourself be somewhat cocky and try and do uncomfortable things. That's how you show your unconscious mind you're the captain of the ship.

 

@Cactusflower
I think you hit the nail on the head with the doubt. I do focus a lot on my emotions (i also work with a somatic experiencing practitioner) and do the work, but am always doubting if i do it "right" or if it's right for me (hello perfectionism).
I think my personality traits are my biggest hindrance, they also seem the hardest to change.

 

@feduccini
You're right, i do have to let myself be cocky and do uncomfortable things!

I'm flooded with symptoms right now, but both of your comments encouraged me to read some Claire Weekes and go bouldering this evening!