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May 9, 2024 28 mins

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 Shirin Etessam, author of transformative book, "Free to Be." shares her journey of self-discovery and healing, emphasizing the importance of play in overcoming life's challenges. 

Key Points:

  • Introduction to Shirin Etessam:
    • Shirin's background in the film and media industry.
    • The pivotal breakup that led to her soul-searching journey.
  • The Journey to Writing "Free to Be":
    • She felt "dead inside" despite outward glamorous success.
    • The six-year process of rewriting her life's story ( distilled into six weeks in the book).
  • The Writing Process:
  • Overcoming the "monkey mind" and internal gremlins to stay focused on writing.
  • Structured approach: Committing to writing a chapter a month, working with editors, and testing exercises with a focus group.
  • Daily Purge and Morning Routine:
    • Importance of the "daily purge": A six-minute exercise to clear negativity and declutter the mind.
    • Different forms of the daily purge, including writing, dancing, and outdoor activities.
  • Week-by-Week Breakdown of "Free to Be":
    • Week One: Decluttering and detoxing the mind.
    • Week Two: Taking care of and protecting the heart.
    • Week Three: Detoxing the body and resetting the relationship with it.
    • Week Four: Embracing play as an essential part of life.
    • Week Five: Finding your true north and understanding the difference between soul and spirit.
    • Week Six: Rewriting your story from the inside out.
  • The Importance of Play:
    • Play as an unintentional yet essential activity for creativity and emotional well-being.
    • Examples of play: Dancing, playing with pets, exploring new places, and engaging in creative activities.
    • Encouraging listeners to identify their "play personality" and incorporate play into their daily lives.
  • Practical Applications and Spiritual Wellness:
    • The continuous journey of self-discovery and the importance of integrating spiritual wellness into daily life.
    • Shirin's mission to redefine spirituality as spiritual health and wellness, distinct from religious connotations.

Connect with Shirin Etessam: https://shirinetessam.com/

  • Find Shirin's book "Free to Be" on Amazon and other platforms. It’s a six-week guide to reclaiming your soul. 

Free Gift:

  • Download Caryl Westmore’s free checklist, "Five Book Hook Tips to Kickstart Your Bookwriting Journey," at writethebookinsideyou.com/fr

✅ Recommended - get my FREE CHECKLIST:
5 Book Hooks you must have to Captivate non-fiction Readers: Checklist (Free): https://www.writethebookinsideyou.com/freegift

✅ Connect with Caryl Westmore on social media!

https://www.facebook.com/carylwestmoreauthor
https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookinsideyou
https://twitter.com/carylwestmoreuk

Show Sponsors: Books for Writers by Caryl Westmore: ChatGPT AI Book Writing Formula , Steps to Prompt, Write, Publish, a Non-fiction Client-Attraction Book, 10-100x faster and easier assisted by AI. Bust Writer's Block Forever www.bustwritersblock.com and The Inner Path of Writing, Make Love not War to the Writer Within . Details here: https://www.ipwbook.com

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