How Tapping Supports and Evolves Working with Long-Term Fear

We all know how important our appearance is to us. It's not necessarily about vanity or ego, but more often a coping mechanism—how we feel accepted by society.

When we act and look in a way we perceive as acceptable, it gives us a sense of safety. It helps us feel secure in who we are and how we present ourselves. This understanding allows us to operate within those social parameters.

It's a way of knowing how to move safely through life.

Part of the practice is remembering that everything is impermanent. Living in the present moment, while also becoming familiar with how our future selves might appear, helps us align with a new kind of safety.

But where do I hide now in this facade of life?

I can't begin to express how valuable EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) has been for me—or its more recent evolution by Silvia Hartmann, known as Modern Energy Tapping (MET). This tool is truly remarkable.

It's not "airy-fairy." It's profoundly effective. To go through life without learning and using it would, in my experience, be an incredible loss.

On My Journey of Injury

In this instance, I'm referring to emotional injury—one that eventually manifested as physical symptoms, culminating in the loss of two lower front teeth.

It wasn't just the fear of extraction...
It wasn't only the fear of recovery from medication...
Or the fear of dentures...
Or how many more teeth I might lose...
Or not being in control...
Or not being fully present for my son...

It felt like the echo of past fears held on a cellular level.

As I sat in the dentist's chair, shaking as the chemicals entered my body, the tears came—completely unprovoked.

I began gently tapping all the points on my fingers—slowly and lovingly—thanking my teeth for all the work they'd done, thanking my body for holding them.

I offered my body permission to let go.
Permission for the teeth to be removed with love, compassion, and gratitude.
Love and compassion for change, for acceptance, and for all that I believe I am.
Love and compassion simply to be me in that moment.

Even with extra anesthetic, the area refused to go fully numb.
The dentist looked amazed—it just didn't work.

"Oh, surprise surprise," I thought to myself.

Tap, tap, tap — not being listened to.
Tap, tap, tap — permission to rest.
Tap, tap, tap — patience to explain myself again.
Tap, tap, tap — all is well. It's only another lesson.
Tap, tap, tap — breathe. Relaxing. Capable.

And this time, I noticed: those familiar old fears didn't rise. I felt so thankful. I was evolving.

After the Procedure

Two teeth gone. The dentist stared—no blood. None. He couldn't believe it.

Later at home, I waited for the anesthesia to wear off, wondering how much pain I'd be in. But it never came. Hours passed. Nothing.

I realized it must have worn off at some point—but I had absolutely zero pain. Just a little soreness from where the pliers had rubbed my gum.

Not even one paracetamol.

No blood. No emotional tension. No shaking after the anesthetic.

Tap, tap, tap.

I wasn't even upset about the missing teeth. The whole experience became a chance to practice letting go. To accept the ever-evolving body. Another step in learning how to release... maybe even how to let go in death.

I am, however, thinking about going back to the dentist to adjust the brace so it fits better—and maybe then I'll wear it.

But no pressure.

Tap, tap, tap.

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