you made it up,
now stop believing it

Sohn explains that our minds and bodies are interconnected. By age 7, we have devised ideas about the world, how it works, and what we must do to survive and remain safe. Our beliefs are encoded in our cellular memory. Some of the vows/beliefs we came up with are untrue or exaggerated and no longer help us as adults. They actually hold us back. When we start a self-discovery journey, it's like peeling through the layers of an onion. We need to release all those limiting vows we made in childhood. She advises us that, while we are doing this, it's best to focus on our journey and not to look back in regret. We need to heal from unhelpful beliefs and healing is hard work. The author tells us about a tool called the Body Memory Process, which her husband, David Sohn, created. The book has 3 parts. The first explains why we create our beliefs, the second details how to discover our vows and the third, talks about being conscious of our thoughts, words, and beliefs. We need to “disavow” those limiting beliefs and use affirmations to move towards a healthier, freer state. I found the book easy to read and enjoyed the author’s positive, easy-to-understand writing style. I liked the major points the author summarizes for us and the useful exercises at the end of each chapter. There is also a checklist we can work through. I thought the figure illustrations/drawings in the book were amusing- sweet, simple, and effective. Let the author take you on a journey toward getting rid of those unhelpful, deep-rooted vows.

Kathi Sohn’s book, “You Made it Up, Now Stop Believing It: The Powerful Body Memory Process for Childhood Vow Discovery and Release” gives interesting and helpful insights into how our bodies store traumas from the time of in the womb (conception trauma as written in the book) to the moment of birth and early childhood. It is broken down into narrative case studies of real patients who are dealing with unknown forms of trauma that are causing issues in their life. At the end of each chapter the practitioner, the writer and the patient come up with these ideas called “Vow Combinations” to help them learn new ways to live their lives. It examines spiritual practices like chakras as well. The book is very interactive and often asks us to write down our thoughts, gives activities and exercises to practice as well as making our own vows or adjusting vows that we may have unconsciously made as children. It gives tips on meditation and other methods of healthy living like physical, mental, emotional, environmental, attitudinal (something I had never heard of) and spiritual wellness. . It also offers insight into how we can better communicate with our own bodies and the world and people around us. After reading this book and following some of the steps inside, I felt like I had a better understanding of myself and the world around me. I learned a lot reading this book and would recommend it to others.

This is a heavy one! I've learned so much. This book delves into the concept of body memory and offers a process for uncovering and releasing childhood vows. It explores the idea that certain beliefs and patterns formed during childhood can have a lasting impact on our lives, often stored in our bodies as memories. The author presents a method for identifying these vows and understanding how they shape our experiences and choices as adults. Overall, the book provides a self discovery that will guide you towards recognizing and releasing these limiting beliefs, allowing for personal growth and transformation.