Express Yourself: Let It Out to Let It Go

Living with chronic pain is more than just a physical experience—it’s emotional, mental, and deeply personal. When pain is tied to trauma, whether from past experiences, medical trauma, or the exhaustion of constantly battling an invisible struggle, it can feel overwhelming.

Too often, we’re told to “be strong” or “just deal with it.” We suppress our anger, frustration, and grief because we fear being seen as weak or too much. But the truth is, suppressing emotions doesn’t make them go away. Instead, they settle into the body, creating more stress, tension, and even intensifying physical pain.

The good news? You don’t have to hold it all in. There are ways to express what’s inside—safely, creatively, and without adding more strain to your body. Whether through art, movement, or voice, finding a healthy release can be a powerful step toward healing.

The Power of Expression in Healing

Emotions are energy. When they don’t have an outlet, they get stuck—sometimes as muscle tension, digestive issues, or unexplained pain flares. Have you ever noticed that when you’re angry, your pain seems worse? Or when you’re sad, your body feels even heavier? That’s because emotions and physical pain are deeply connected.

By allowing yourself to express rather than suppress, you give those emotions a way to move through you instead of staying trapped inside. Let’s explore some ways you can do that in a way that feels supportive, safe, and healing.

Cosmic Smash Booking: Art as a Release

One of the most powerful ways to express emotions, especially those connected to pain and trauma, is through Cosmic Smash Booking—a unique blend of art journaling, intuitive healing, and self-expression. This practice allows you to put emotions onto paper without judgment, giving you a tangible way to process what’s inside.

A great way to begin is by creating a resting page in your Cosmic Smash Book—a place where you can lay down your emotions. This page serves as a sanctuary for your feelings, offering a space to pause, reflect, and release. It seamlessly blends writing and art journaling to create a powerful portal for connecting with your inner wisdom.

How to Try It:

1. Gather materials. You don’t need fancy art supplies—just a journal (or even a piece of cardboard from the recycle bin!), markers, paint, glue, and anything else that inspires you.

2. Let go of perfection. This isn’t about creating a masterpiece. Scribble, tear, layer, paint over your emotions. Let the page hold what words cannot.

3. Express what you feel. Angry? Use bold, chaotic strokes. Sad? Layer soft colors. Overwhelmed? Write down everything in your head and paint over it.

4. Observe without judgment. Once you’ve created, take a moment to reflect. What does your page tell you?

Cosmic Smash Booking isn’t about perfection—it’s about releasing emotions in a safe and freeing way. With the resting page, you create a sacred space where your emotions can breathe, helping you process and heal through creative expression.

Movement: Releasing Trauma Stored in the Body

Trauma and chronic pain don’t just live in the mind—they live in the body. Movement, even gentle movement, can help release emotions that have been trapped inside for too long.

Gentle Ways to Move:

• Slow stretching. Focus on areas that hold tension, like your jaw, shoulders, and hips. Breathe into those spaces.

• Shaking. Trauma experts have shown that animals instinctively shake after a stressful event to reset their nervous system. Lightly shaking your arms, legs, or whole body can help release stuck energy.

• Dancing. Put on music that speaks to your emotions and move however your body allows. No rules—just move. As the facilitator of the somatic moment class I attend says, "Create a duet and let your body lead."

Tuning into your body and moving in ways that feel supportive can be a powerful way to process emotions without overwhelming yourself.

Using Your Voice: Giving Pain a Sound

For many trauma survivors, silence became a survival mechanism. But holding everything in can add to the internal weight, making pain feel heavier. Finding ways to use your voice—even if just for yourself—can be deeply healing. When I first explored giving my pain, emotions, and trauma sound, I was scared, embarrassed, and honestly felt straight out silly. But after trying it the first time, it was so liberating and fun.

Ways to Express Through Voice:

• Scream into a pillow. Suppressed anger or frustration? Let it out safely.

• Humming or chanting. The vibration of your own voice can be soothing and help release tension.

• Speaking your truth. Even if no one else hears it, saying what you need to say out loud can be powerful.

You deserve to be heard—even if it’s just by yourself.

Tears as Healing: Permission to Feel

Crying is often seen as a weakness in our society, but in reality, it’s one of the body’s most natural ways to release stress, grief, and even pain. When we hold back tears, that energy stays inside, adding to the emotional and physical burden.

Allowing Yourself to Cry:

• If you feel the urge to cry, let it happen. Try not to suppress it.

• Find a safe, comforting space where you can release freely.

• Remember, crying isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign of processing and letting go.

Letting yourself cry when needed can soften tension, reduce stress hormones, and bring emotional relief.

Writing as a Form of Self-Compassion

Sometimes speaking feels too hard, but writing can be an incredibly effective way to process emotions tied to chronic pain and trauma. The act of putting words to feelings can help untangle what’s been knotted inside.

Journaling Prompts for Healing:

• If my pain had a voice, what would it say?

• What emotions am I afraid to express? Why?

• What is one thing I wish others understood about my experience?

• What do I need to tell myself today with kindness?

Writing allows you to explore your emotions safely, giving them space without judgment.

Honoring Your Healing Process

Expressing emotions in a healthy way doesn’t mean the pain or trauma will instantly disappear. But each time you release a little piece of what you’ve been carrying, you create space for healing. Give yourself permission to be seen, heard, and felt—even if it’s only by yourself.

Pain and trauma do not define you. Your emotions deserve to be acknowledged, and your body deserves kindness. Whether through art, movement, voice, tears, or writing, find the path that allows you to release in a way that feels safe, comfortable, and supportive to you.

Allow your emotions to move, express, and breathe—because you deserve that freedom. Your healing journey is uniquely yours, but remember, you don’t have to carry it alone. There is always space for you to be seen, heard, and supported.