Happy Friday,
This week’s webinar on clearing mental clutter was an interesting mix of creative awakening and practical problem-solving. Participants discovered that clutter—whether in our physical spaces or swirling in our minds—often hides a deeper challenge that needs to be acknowledged and addressed.
After using the Beyond Happiness Method combined with the Three-Minute Writing Technique, Ayana summed up the experience perfectly: “I feel like I just hacked my brain!” She added, “This exercise shows me that I can create the spontaneity and passion my creative process craves while maintaining a writing schedule and using this technique to conjure hidden ideas.”
I was so inspired by the webinar that I had to write about affirmations. Let me know what you think after you read it and my assistant, Beth has graciously shared her experience in the following guest blog.
Don’t miss our next session on June 18, where we’ll dive into the mental clutter of unproductive thoughts. These inner voices, though sometimes rooted in truth, can hold us back from joy, creativity, and confidence. Join me as we learn how to recognize and release them together.
Here’s to your success and peace of mind,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
Clutter: A Physical Mess that Causes a Mental One!
by Beth Price
Wednesday’s webinar on clearing mental clutter was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. As usual, our Wednesday night community gathered—some familiar faces I’ve come to expect each session and two new ones: Ayana shared that she’s been working on her screenplay and specifically a logline, and Beryl, who had worked with Marilyn before on screenwriting several years before, had just retired from her full-time job.
Marilyn started us off with a simple prompt. “Put clutter in the center of your cluster,” she said. That was our word. Then she led us in deep breathing, some stretches, and then the Self-Acknowledgement Hug.
After that, we let the images come, and the words and phrases followed. Mine spilled out quickly: “writing resources,” “search and find,” “Barney Fife,” {READ MORE}
Why Most Affirmations Don’t Work—And What to Do Instead
How to Reset Your Brain with the Self-Acknowledgment Hug (SAH)
by Marilyn Horowitz
The Problem with Traditional Affirmations
You’ve heard them all:
– “I am successful.”
– “I am loved.”
– “I am powerful.”
But when you’re not in a good place, these affirmations can feel like gaslighting. Instead of building confidence, they stir up inner resistance.
That resistance has a name: the habenula. This almond-shaped part of your brain scans for past disappointments and acts like a {READ MORE}
FREE Webinar
Wednesday, June 18 at 7:00 pm EST
Stuck on Repeat: Stop Unproductive Thoughts and Clear Emotional Clutter
You know the voice—the one that says you’re not doing enough, not good enough, or too far behind to catch up. These unproductive thoughts, often disguised as self-doubt or worry, are a form of emotional clutter that quietly steals our focus and joy. They create mental loops that keep us stuck, exhausted, and second-guessing ourselves before we even begin.
In this next session of our Clutter Series, we’ll focus on recognizing and rewriting these unhelpful patterns. Using the Beyond Happiness Method, you’ll learn how to spot the thoughts that no longer serve you—and gently release them. It’s not about fixing everything overnight; it’s about creating mental space for clarity, confidence, and renewed purpose.
Register Here.
Dorothy is serving up sweet justice in Bad Girl Pie!
Ask Marilyn
Insomnia is a huge problem for me. Help!
English 
Spanish