The Stories We Hold in Our Bodies: Using Writing to Release Emotional Weight

Upper back and shoulder tension

Our bodies hold onto our experiences in ways we don’t always recognize. That tightness in your shoulders, the knot in your stomach, the fatigue that lingers no matter how much you rest—sometimes, these aren’t just physical sensations. They’re stories. They’re unspoken words, unresolved emotions, and stress that hasn’t found an exit.

I wasn’t sure how I managed stress until I discovered alopecia areata. Whenever I’m overwhelmed with more than I can handle, my hair falls out in little eraser-sized patches. It was my body’s way of telling me what I hadn’t been saying out loud—I was carrying more than I knew how to process. Writing became my release when exercise wasn’t an option. It gave me a way to move through anger and disappointment, both in myself and in others.

We all carry something. And when we don’t make space for those emotions, they find other ways to surface. Writing is a powerful tool to acknowledge, understand, and eventually release what we’ve been holding onto.

A Reiki Moment

Before you begin writing, take a deep breath and scan your body. Where do you feel tension? Is there a particular spot that feels tight or heavy? If Reiki is part of your practice, place your hands over that area and allow gentle healing energy to flow. If not, simply breathe into that space, acknowledging whatever emotion or sensation arises. No need to fix it—just notice.

Words of Encouragement

Your body and mind are in constant conversation. When you feel anxious, stressed, or burdened, writing to release is one way to help translate what your body is trying to tell you. You don’t have to have the answers. You don’t have to resolve everything in one sitting. Simply putting words to your experience is a powerful first step toward healing.

Whatever you’re carrying today, know this: you are allowed to release it. You are allowed to set it down, even if just for a little while.

Put It Into Practice

1. Where does your body hold stress? Write about a time you physically felt an emotion—maybe tight shoulders, a stomach ache, or exhaustion. What was happening in your life at the time?

2. Write a letter to your body. Thank it for carrying you through life, and ask what it needs from you right now.

3. Take five minutes for a body check-in. After writing, close your eyes and notice if anything feels different. Has the tension shifted? Do you feel a little lighter?

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