# 5 Feelings are Meant to Be Felt
The Power of Emotional Release
We live in a world that teaches us to suppress, ignore, and move past our emotions rather than fully feeling them. We hear phrases like "just get over it," "stay strong," or "don't be so emotional," conditioning us to believe that emotions are burdens rather than guides. This isn’t our fault or the fault of others who share these thoughts. However, if we look at this through a different lens and consider: ‘What if our emotions are here to lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves? What if suppressing them is what actually holds us back from stepping into our highest potential?’
The Cost of Emotional Suppression
Every unprocessed emotion doesn’t just disappear, here’s what happens - it gets stored in the body, manifesting as tension, chronic pain, or even illness. *read my story in Blog #3 😊* Studies have shown that suppressed emotions are linked to conditions like autoimmune disorders, digestive issues, and stress-related illnesses. When we avoid feeling, we accumulate unresolved energy that creates blocks - not just in our physical health but in our ability to align with our soul’s purpose.
For example, grief that is pushed down may show up as tightness in the chest, while anger that isn’t expressed might manifest as digestive issues (arrhh guilty!). Fear, when ignored, can create chronic anxiety, keeping us stuck in survival mode; or what I refer to as ‘contraction’ rather than ‘expansion’. The body is always speaking to us; it is up to us to listen.
The 90-Second Rule & Emotional Awareness
Now here is a cool concept that you may or may not have heard about, which is the "90-second rule". This was popularised by neuroscientist Dr Jill Bolte Taylor. This rule states that the initial physiological response to an emotional trigger in the body typically lasts around 90 seconds; however, the conscious experience of an emotion can last much longer depending on our thoughts and interpretations of the situation. Cool hey! 90 seconds!
Key points about the 90-second rule:
Chemical Process: When an emotional event occurs, a surge of chemicals in the brain reaches its peak within 90 seconds.
Choice to Prolong: After the initial 90 seconds, if we continue to dwell on the triggering event or thought, we are consciously choosing to maintain the emotional state.
Application for Self-Regulation: Understanding the 90-second rule can help us become more aware of our emotions and potentially manage them better by consciously choosing to disengage from the initial emotional response.
By recognising that we have a choice in how long we hold onto emotions, we empower ourselves to break cycles of prolonged suffering and create space for intentional healing. So, this is where we can even weave in the magic of using the breath to encourage feeling the feeling so it is acknowledged and heard and subsequently place ourselves into a state where we can transmute that emotion. This is a very different process from ignoring the emotion, pushing it down and pretending it doesn’t exist.
Emotional Blocks & Living Our Highest Self
When we suppress emotions, we also suppress parts of ourselves. Emotions are energy in motion, and when we block them, we create stagnation in our lives. This can show up as patterns of self-sabotage, staying in unfulfilling relationships, or feeling lost in our purpose. We may find ourselves repeating cycles, attracting the same lessons over and over again because we haven't allowed ourselves to process the deeper emotions beneath them.
By allowing ourselves to feel ‘fully’, we create space for transformation. When we sit with our sadness, acknowledge our anger, and embrace our fear, we reclaim our power. It is through feeling that we heal, and through healing that we align with the highest version of ourselves.
Releasing Emotions to Align with Our Soul’s Purpose
Releasing stored emotions is essential for stepping into alignment with our soul's calling. Breathwork, for example, is a powerful tool for emotional release, allowing us to tap into stored emotions that the mind has suppressed but the body still holds. Other practices like journaling, movement, and somatic therapy help us process emotions in a way that feels safe and empowering.
If you’ve ever had a deep emotional release – for example through crying, breathwork, or an intense moment of clarity - you’ve likely felt the lightness that follows. This is because emotions, once acknowledged and expressed, are no longer held as stagnant energy. They move through us, making space for clarity, joy, and purpose. I can recall so many times when I have simply allowed myself to cry - I mean REALLY cry, REALLY feel into it - and wow, how good does it feel afterwards!
My Journey with Emotional Release
I know firsthand the consequences of emotional suppression. There was a time when I carried deep grief and unexpressed pain from past experiences. Even though my subconscious was trying to keep me safe, I automatically avoided those feelings, believing I was staying strong. But instead, I felt disconnected - from myself, my body, my intuition, and my purpose.
At one stage, I even thought that feeling nothing - being numb - was better than being overly sensitive or expressing frustration or anger. I know where that landed me: monotone, unable to feel the lows, but also unable to truly experience the highs.
Now, I practice emotional awareness at every opportunity, giving myself permission each day to feel fully - to cry if I need to, to experience joy (which is so easy with the cutest of dogs, my little Gaia), and to release what no longer serves me. I also am a work in progress, and that is the beauty of these practices - the more we surrender, the more we grow. There is no finish line, just a continual unfolding.
Through breathwork and other modalities, I continue to uncover emotions I didn’t even realise I was holding, and with each release, I feel more aligned and in tune with my inner wisdom. Some days are easier than others, and there are still moments when I catch myself resisting, but I return to the practice, knowing that healing is not about reaching a final destination - it’s about allowing myself to be present with whatever arises. This ongoing journey not only deepens my connection to myself but also strengthens my ability to guide others through their own process of feeling, releasing, and expanding.
Practical Ways to Feel & Heal
If you’ve been conditioned to suppress emotions, know that it’s never too late to start feeling again. Here are a few ways to begin:
Breathwork: Try conscious breathing techniques to access and release stored emotions. Even a few minutes of deep, intentional breathing can open the space for healing.
Journaling: Write freely about what you’re feeling. Allow yourself to express raw emotions without judgment.
Movement: Dance, stretch, or take a walk - movement helps emotions flow through the body.
Sound Healing: Use vibrational frequencies from singing bowls, tuning forks, or music to help shift stagnant emotional energy and promote relaxation.
Meditation & Stillness: By becoming still and quietening the mind, you can tune into what’s underneath the surface. Sitting with your emotions in meditation can reveal hidden feelings and bring deep clarity.
Create a Safe Space to Feel: Give yourself permission to cry, scream into a pillow, or simply sit with your feelings without distraction.
Work with a Guide: If emotions feel overwhelming, working with a coach or practitioner can provide the support needed to process them safely.
Emotions Are Here to Guide You
Feeling is not a weakness - it is a gift. Your emotions are not roadblocks; they are roadmaps leading you to deeper self-awareness and transformation. When we stop resisting our emotions and instead embrace them, we unlock our fullest potential.
Are you ready to feel your way to freedom? Your soul is waiting.