Susan Nefzger on Conscious Writing, Awareness, and Living with Purpose

Hi Susan, thank you so much for taking the time to share your journey and insights with our readers. You’ve been building your Practical Guide series since 2018, and you’re now completing your fourth book. Looking back, what first inspired you to begin this series, and what continues to drive you to expand it today?
The inspiration took place on a writing retreat in Glastonbury, England, through a process known as conscious writing.

The process steps included a guided meditation that allowed me to mind map the entire concept from a title, outline, and table of contents. At which point, I went outside to walk in the gardens of the Glastonbury Abbey ruins and sat down on a bench to write as the words flowed out of me. I realized as it was happening that my life was forever transformed and I knew everything would change. It is my purpose to help others become self-aware, in order to lead a more fulfilling life and share their unique gift. Once you understand that we are all here to help each other become the best version of ourselves, not much is as important. 

Your work began with A Practical Guide to Awareness, followed by a companion workbook to help readers put those ideas into action. Why was it important to you that readers not only understand these concepts but actively practice them in their daily lives?
The reason it is important to practice the steps is because the person feels the effects of the practice. It is a daily practice for the rest of your life. I get drawn out of present moment awareness, we all do, because of the nature of human existence. So when you create stillness, and practice mindfulness, and see the changes, and feel the difference in your everyday life, you become conscious. Also, the more you integrate the practice of conscious living, the easier it is for it to eventually take effect.

A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly was written during the height of the pandemic, a time when fear and uncertainty were especially present for so many people. How did that moment in history influence the message of the book and deepen your own understanding of fear? 
Interestingly, I had been inspired to write the book the summer before the pandemic. I had written an outline, the title, and table of contents in draft form. This I see now, is the pattern of my inspired writing. I am inspired with ideas, titles, cover art, etc…. much ahead of when I actually begin writing and creating the actual draft. Then I’m prepared to begin the creative process itself by the surrounding events. The moment in history surrounding my actual geographical location, in Midtown, Atlanta, was instrumental in its influence on the message. It provided a daily snapshot of different types of fear, and I understood how the collective fear had an energetic effect on me. I was right in the middle of a volatile area of the US and I felt it! I was also dealing with my Mother’s end of life process. The final fear, as I call it in the book.

Actually both major life-changing and world-changing events were occurring simultaneously. Because people were “afraid” of either dying or the status quo changing, I knew I had to record the time frame and help people understand why we have fear, and the root of our fears. This in turn, helps alleviate a fear-based lifestyle when we aren’t in crisis. But it’s because of the anxious or fear based decision making that people often curtail their lives in many ways. Because in the end we all survive the changes that occur from these types of events. Being afraid of the changes helps nothing, it merely keeps one frozen in a less than optimal situation.

Living life to the fullest allows for expansion by meeting new people, by travel, by learning and research and trying new things.

Your newest book focuses on love and relationships. What drew you to this theme, and how do awareness and fearlessness play a role in creating healthier, more fulfilling connections?
Wow! Great question. It all fits together like a puzzle. A few things inspired this theme. Often, when I talk to people or coach them, they want answers for how to navigate relationships. Also, I had a new relationship after a few years post divorce. I did not want to engage in a serious or exclusive relationship, and I wanted to understand why and what was behind the fear or distrust of having another relationship. I was also moving to a place in another state that was my dream, and I didn’t want the new long-distance relationship to interfere with my new life. So I began the process of talking to people about the idea of love and why people feel its such an influence in our lives. I have been writing for several months, and then I realized…. we are in the midst of another epidemic, if you will, this time one of violence and division, not a virus. It was clear to me that the concept of what I was sharing for love and relationships is not just about couples. It’s about how to observe, show compassion, and understand our colleagues, our family, our children, and friends.

Again, the inspiration began before the real meat of what needs to be addressed, took tangible shape. Awareness is key to navigating a relationship because it allows us not to take things personally, and to observe before responding which includes showing compassion. Fearlessness helps us achieve vulnerability. We can’t be afraid to lose a relationship, because we open up, by being authentic and show our true persona. No more people pleasing! We aren’t living a fulfilling life if we aren’t doing what we love and sharing our gift with the world.

For readers who may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin their own journey of self-discovery, what do you hope they ultimately take away from your books and the work you share?
The answer is to do what makes you happy, and follow your passions. To live consciously and become self-aware. It begins by self-discovery, getting to know yourself, and to like yourself. This is not easy work.

It’s a daily practice, it is a commitment. By becoming self-aware, then you understand who you are at the soul level and what your gift is. Each of us has a unique gift. If we all shared our gift which drives our passion and joy, what would the world look like today? I love nature photography and I share it to help others find beauty in each day. There is beauty everywhere we just have to notice it. I love to write about cuisine, it makes me happy and others can see where the unique dining experience may be where and when they travel around the U.S. It can be as simple as these examples. It’s about sharing your joy and leading a more fulfilling life!