Unbottled

Nothing Good Comes from Sitting on How You Feel

Have you ever felt emotions swirling inside you like a storm you can’t calm - anger, sadness, frustration or even fleeting joy - pressing on your chest until it’s hard to breathe? Sometimes our feelings sit quietly beneath the surface - like unopened letters piling up on a desk - until one day they spill out in ways we can’t control.

Nothing good comes from sitting on how you feel. Bottling up emotions doesn’t make them vanish - it only gives them more power over you. While ignoring feelings can weigh us down, expressing them can be surprisingly liberating and it’s easier than you might think.

Why We Sit on Our Feelings

There are many reasons we avoid our emotions:

• Fear of being judged or misunderstood

• Worry about burdening others

• Belief that expressing feelings is a sign of weakness

Ironically, ignoring our emotions doesn’t make us strong - it keeps us stuck. Emotions are messages from ourselves, telling us what we need, what’s wrong or what matters most.

The Cost of Bottling Up Emotions

When we suppress our feelings, they don’t just disappear - they manifest in other ways:

• Stress and anxiety

• Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue or tension

• Strained relationships due to unspoken resentment or misunderstanding

Sitting on your feelings is like ignoring a fire in your home, hoping it will go out on its own. The longer you wait, the more damage it can do.

Why Expressing Emotions Matters

Expressing your feelings is not a sign of weakness - it’s a sign of courage and self-awareness. By acknowledging and communicating how you feel, you:

• Take control of your emotional health

• Build deeper, more authentic connections

• Make better decisions because you understand yourself

How to Start

1. Name it: Identify exactly what you’re feeling. Sometimes putting a label on it is enough to start the release.

2. Journal it: Writing down your thoughts helps you process emotions privately and safely.

3. Talk it out: Share your feelings with someone you trust, whether a friend, family member or coach.

4. Move it: Physical activity can help release pent-up emotions, from anger to sadness.

5. Seek support: There’s no shame in asking for help - from therapy, coaching or support groups.

Closing Thought

Your feelings are valid, important and worthy of attention. Sitting on them doesn’t protect you - it limits you. When you give your emotions the space to breathe, you make room for healing, growth and deeper connection with yourself and others. Don’t wait. Start feeling, start expressing and watch your life transform.

With you on the journey,
– Storm Reagan
Life Coach | Lived Experience Guide