I Am Forever Curious: How EFT Tapping Is Transforming How I Deal With Grief, ADHD & Every Day Life Decisions

From Deep Loss to New Beginnings: Why EFT is My Next Big Life Leap

I never expected to become someone who taps on my face while whispering affirmations, but here we are.

You might noticed I hinted about this in March’s Edition of Faffing Fridays.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) tapping found me in the depths of grief, and somewhere along the way, it became a lifeline for my ADHD brain, too.

When my brother took his own life in November 2022, I was shattered. I thought I’d feel that way forever. Grief is an untamed beast. Sometimes it’s a quiet ache and other times it flattens you, stealing the air from your lungs, out of nowhere. I was desperate for something, anything, that might help me feel less lost. I can’t remember how I initially came across it. I’d started gently tapping while sat at my desk some mornings after spending time watching Youtube videos.

Then, last Summer while in London where I’d been invited on a PR trip I meant a woman who is an EFT and Reiki practitioner.

I couldn’t believe that the universe had sent her my way.

Boy have I picked her brains. We connected on Instagram and over the weeks and months I continued to bombard her further. I was skeptical (okay, borderline dismissive), but it really intrigued me.

As usual my ADHD brain hyper focused on this shiny new toy.

For those unfamiliar, EFT tapping is a technique that involves gently tapping on specific acupressure points on the body while speaking affirmations or acknowledging difficult emotions. It’s described as acupuncture without needles and the idea is that it helps release stuck energy and rewire emotional responses. The list is endless that it can help with; stress, anxiety, phobias, depression, brain fog, PTSD, anger management, burn out, grief, confidence, self-esteem, performance, decision making. It can also help to untangle beliefs and negative thoughts holding you back.

At first, I felt ridiculous. Tapping on my forehead and collarbone while saying, ‘Even though I feel this unbearable grief, I deeply and completely accept myself’ felt strange, robotic, even performative. But as I continued, something shifted. My grief didn’t vanish, but it softened. It became something I could hold instead of something that held me hostage.

And then, something unexpected happened.

I started using EFT for the constant overwhelm, procrastination and emotional whiplash of my ADHD. The racing thoughts, the paralysis in the face of simple tasks, the way my brain seemed to short-circuit under pressure. These were all things I had battled for years. One day, in the middle of a particularly brutal spiral of self-criticism I thought, ‘I’m going to try and tap this out.’

So I did.

I tapped on my temples and repeated affirmations just like these:

‘Even though my brain feels like a browser with 37 tabs open, I deeply and completely accept myself.’

‘Even though I feel like I’m failing at being a functional adult, I choose to believe I’m doing my best.’

‘Even though I get stuck in cycles of overwhelm, I can find moments of clarity.’

And just like with my grief, over time something began to shift. The internal noise turned down a notch. The shame eased.

I found enough calm to take the next step, then the next.

EFT tapping hasn’t ‘cured’ me of grief, of ADHD, of being a human with messy emotions. But it’s a tool. A portable, no-equipment-needed tool that reminds me I have agency over my emotional state.

Grief and ADHD both have a way of making you feel out of control, like you’re constantly at the mercy of your own mind. Tapping reminds me that I can pause, acknowledge and shift even if just a little.

And sometimes, a little is enough.

This journey has been so transformative that I’ve decided to take it a step further. In February I began training to become an EFT practitioner. I want to help others the way this practice continues to help me, to offer a lifeline to those struggling with grief, ADHD, or simply the weight of being human. If tapping can bring even a little relief, a little clarity, a little peace, then it’s worth sharing.

EFT has been proven to reduce cortisol — the stress hormone — by up to 43%. Why is this important? Elevated cortisol causes havoc to our bodies and our brains.

And I believe it has the potential to do even more. Midlife is its own kind of messy transition filled with identity shifts, hormonal changes and the reassessment of what truly matters. It can be a time of great upheaval but also of incredible growth. I think EFT tapping could be a powerful tool for navigating this phase, helping to release old fears, embrace change, and step into this next chapter with clarity and confidence.

Becoming an EFT practitioner feels like the next big step in my lifelong commitment to being forever curious.

I’ve always been someone who asks, ‘What else is possible?’

I’m someone who seeks out new ways to learn, evolve and expand. This isn’t just about EFT; it’s about deepening my understanding of myself and others, about exploring how we can all move through life with more ease, resilience and self-acceptance.

If it all goes to plan I should be certified towards the end of the year.

Curiosity has brought me here and I have no doubt it will continue to lead me to places I never expected.

I’ve just been booked for my first group session to an audience of professional women at the end of this month. I’m using it as part of my case study submission I have to do for my training.

I know I’m going to love it.

Hyping people up to feel their best self feels like my calling 💗