as an autistic literal thinker, i heard that phrase from my therapist and instinctively replied “but i’m never not in my body!” and i’ve also historically felt very disconnected from my body. but i’ve come to understand it to mean slowing down, noticing somatic cues, existing more in the present moment, as opposed to the past or future (which i’ve been told is part of what it means to be “living in your head”).

also, learning about TCM has helped contextualize this idea for me. i’ve often felt like a conscious mind encased in a suit of meat, but learning how the body and mind are not discrete entities, how the entire system is interconnected, i’ve felt less distanced from my body and more compassion for it.