The Journey of Lasting Change: How EFT made it possible for me

Ever felt like yelling, “If change was that easy, I would have done it already!” I have, I've said it. Many times. And I will probably say it again. Despite that, over the years, I have changed so much that my husband jokes I’m on Version 10.7 of myself.

So if change isn't easy, how have I changed so much?

Yet, interestingly, I would argue that I’ve come back to being the me I originally was, rather than changing. But that’s a topic for another day.

I'm not going to bullshit you, real change is not simple. It’s a journey filled with ups and downs, moments of ease and joy, and times that feel downright brutal. But the kind of change that sticks, the kind that becomes part of who you are without constant effort, is possible and with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) its that bit easier to achieve.

Understanding Lasting Change

Change often feels like a battle. We try to force ourselves to stop old habits or start new ones, only to fall back into familiar patterns, think all those news years resolutions! This struggle can make us feel stuck or frustrated or hopeless. But lasting change is different. It’s not about willpower or forcing yourself. It’s about shifting or finding acceptance of your inner landscape so that new ways of being feel and are natural.

Lasting change can be:

• New habits that don’t require constant effort

• Emotional shifts that reduce our inner resistance and conflict

• A sense of ease in navigating things that once would have challenged us

• Growth that feels authentic and sustainable

  
  

From my experience this kind of change doesn’t often happen overnight, the shifts and ease creep up and build and we realise with hindsight that we have or are experiencing the above.

What Is EFT and How It Works

In my therapeutic practice I use EFT (also called tapping), it is a simple yet powerful method that combines tapping on specific acupressure points on the face and body while focusing our attention on emotional issues. Its a therapy that combines working with the somatic (body) and cognitive (mind).

Here’s how EFT helps create lasting change:

• Releases emotional blocks that keep us stuck in old patterns

• Calms the nervous system to reduce stress and anxiety

• Shifts limiting beliefs that hold us back

• Creates new neural pathways for more helpful habits and thoughts

  
  

Using EFT tapping to release emotional blocks

My Personal Journey with EFT

When I first heard about EFT, I was skeptical. I however was desperate having experienced years of depression, I tried changing my thoughts, being more positive and then I became ill with CFS.

The first time I tried EFT, I focused on a persistant headache which was a symptom of CFS. After just a few minutes of tapping and speaking about the headache, how it felt physically and how it made me feel emotionally, I felt a noticeable shift. The pain didn’t disappear completely, but the intensity calmed considerably, it got my attention and I've been tapping ever since.

Over time, I used EFT, both with my therapist and on my own to explore deeper issues: the difficulty and grief of being ill, past trauma, and limiting beliefs about myself and the world. Each session peeled back layers, some I didn’t even realise were there. The change wasn’t always easy. Sometimes it was painful to face old wounds. Sometimes it revealed joy I could have only imagine feeling. Now, years later, I find myself living with health, confidence, peace, and authenticity (most days!). The change feels natural. I don’t have to try to feel different, I just do.

Why Lasting Change Matters

Temporary change can feel like a sticking plaster. It might help for a moment but doesn’t solve the root cause. Lasting change transforms your life because it:

• Frees you from repeating painful cycles

• Builds resilience and emotional capacity

• Opens the door to new opportunities and relationships

• Creates a foundation for ongoing growth

  
  

Lasting Change with EFT in therapy

If you’ve struggled with change, know that you’re not alone. Many people can feel stuck or overwhelmed. Therapy with EFT offers a gentle yet effective path to lasting change.

After experiencing what EFT could do I retrained as a therapist, I've been tapping for over 10 years and have been working with others for over 8 years. I've seen and felt the power of this personally and with my clients.

All of our journeys are different, but with therapy and tools like EFT they can become a little clearer, the terrain gentler and if we want it, someone to hold our hand or the torch.