Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mela Blust. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share an anecdote or story from your schooling/training that you feel illustrates what the overall experience was like?
People are always sort of fascinated that this is what I do, and especially that I have received formal training for it. I received certification through Cuddle Sanctuary. The course was something that I stumbled upon and immediately knew that I wanted to take part in. It was valuable to me to further my knowledge of consent, boundaries, compassion for human beings, and overall better social skills.
Mela, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have always been empathic and sensitive to other people’s energy and presence. It has been a significant part of my life, which led me to eventually seek out ways to take part in the world that meant more than sitting in a cubicle.
I have been cuddling professionally for over a year and a half, and have seen over a hundred clients, providing gentle, non-sexual touch and embrace to people who were feeling isolated, overworked, or just in need of some company willing to chat, or just to listen.
I have always been extremely passionate about the way I show up for my fellow human beings.
In our society today, physical and emotional presence are at an all time low. Go sit in a restaurant and see how many people are looking at their phones instead of each other!
I offer a quiet place where I am truly paying attention to my clients. I hold space for people, and literally hold people! There is nothing quite as wonderful as a loving embrace, and someone who will truly listen and take interest in you as a human being.
I am also non-discriminatory, and accept everyone and adore them for just exactly who they are. The world could use a little more of that, I believe.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Not to jump to conclusions or make snap judgments about people. You simply never know where people are coming from and unless you give them a chance to be understood, you might really miss out on a valuable connection. Or cause someone else to miss out on you.
I had a client contact me with very little wording and in my first judgment, I thought they sounded maybe rude or angry. I wrote them back anyway. We planned a session and I reminded myself that this person might really need connection more than anyone else. In my mind, I was fully prepared for someone who wasn’t very nice. As it turns out, the person simply wasn’t good at verbalizing needs electronically, and in person, was shy, a little nervous at first, and turned out to be one of the most kind and genuine people I have met so far. After that, I remind myself often that I am often wrong, and to be patient.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
I don’t think so. I feel more and more in this society that we are so busy, rarely slow down, looking at out phones, and we are missing out on some very important tenderness with each other. As well as missing out on the chance to put more goodness into the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecuddletradingco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuddletradingco/
- Twitter: @TheCuddleTradingCo
Image Credits
Mela Blust