Listening to the Body’s Wisdom: Emotions, Energy, and Generational Patterns
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Years ago, before I had begun my own healing journey, a friend shared something that seemed completely out there to me at the time. She told me that after having her gallbladder removed, the pain she thought was caused by her gallbladder still persisted—even years later. Eventually, she started to wonder if there was an emotional connection to the pain she had been feeling, something deeper than what surgery could resolve. At the time, I remember thinking, What a woo-woo concept. This girl’s crazy. The idea that emotions could be linked to physical pain was so foreign to me that my brain couldn’t even process it.
But years later, as I embarked on my own healing journey, I found myself returning to her words. My mental health had taken a significant hit, and I decided to dive headfirst into therapy and mindset work. It was through those experiences that I began to understand what my friend had been talking about — the incredible wisdom our bodies hold and the way they communicate with us through pain, discomfort, and illness.
The Language of the Body
As I immersed myself in therapy and various healing workshops, I learned techniques that allowed me to tap into my body's inner wisdom. I discovered that the body stores emotions, memories, and suppressed energies — and if those energies aren’t allowed to move through us, they can manifest as physical pain or sickness.
I began practicing ways of tuning into my body — focusing on areas of tension or discomfort — and what happened next was both painful and liberating. At times, this practice would bring up intense emotional releases that felt almost like out-of-body experiences. I’d experience waves of grief, anger, or sadness emerging as thoughts and memories surfaced. Often, these outbursts would take the form of deep moaning, wailing, and crying — a release that was painful in the moment but left me feeling lighter afterward.
Most of the emotions I unearthed were linked to childhood stories, internalized beliefs, or unresolved pain I hadn’t even realized I was still carrying. This became a spiritual practice of sorts — learning to listen to my body, tap into those stored emotions, and allow the energy to move through me.
During this process, I discovered The Secret Language of the Body by Inna Segal — a powerful resource that felt almost like a thesaurus for the body. It maps out different parts of the body, highlighting their corresponding emotional roots, and even explores specific conditions, sicknesses, and diseases with insights into their possible emotional connections. This book became an invaluable tool for me in understanding what my body was trying to communicate — guiding me toward deeper healing. If you’re curious about exploring this deeper, you can find the book HERE!
The Body’s Natural Healing Process
Through these experiences, I realized that the body has a natural process for moving energy. Emotions are meant to flow — to be felt, expressed, and released. But when we suppress those feelings — whether due to fear, conditioning, or a lack of awareness — they don’t just disappear. Instead, they become stuck, lingering within us as tension, pain, or illness.
What I also realized is that we don’t just suppress our emotions; we often allow thoughts to form around them, and we begin to identify with those thoughts. Traumatic experiences shape our identity, and over time, we internalize these painful narratives.
What begins as an unprocessed emotion can eventually become part of how we see ourselves—an identity of unworthiness, shame, or fear that burrows deep into our subconscious. These thoughts take root, reinforcing cycles of pain and discomfort within the body.
Our bodies are beautifully complex, designed with an internal communication system that alerts us when something needs attention. Physical discomfort is often a signal that something emotional, mental, or energetic is unresolved. Rather than dismissing those sensations, we can learn to listen — to honor what our body is trying to say.
Generational Trauma and the Body’s Memory
What I’ve also come to understand is that these patterns aren’t always just our own. Generational trauma — the passing down of emotional wounds, unprocessed grief, and unhealthy coping mechanisms — can deeply influence our physical and mental well-being.
When emotional suppression or unhealthy patterns become ingrained in family dynamics, they are often mirrored in the body’s physical makeup. Conditions like arthritis, digestive issues, and chronic illness can sometimes reflect more than just genetics — they may point to emotional patterns that have been carried down the family line.
It often takes one person in a generational line to pause and say, Enough. To recognize the patterns, acknowledge the pain, and begin the healing process — not just for themselves, but for the generations that follow.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Healing
What all of this has taught me is that true healing requires a holistic approach — one that aligns the body, mind, and soul. Each plays a crucial role, and when we learn to work with these parts of ourselves rather than against them, we begin to see what true health looks like.
Too often, we’re taught to view our bodies as the enemy — something to control, ignore, or silence when discomfort arises. But what if instead, we learned to become allies with our bodies? What if we approached those sensations with curiosity rather than frustration?
Our minds are powerful, but they can also keep us stuck in old patterns if we don’t learn to use them intentionally. And our bodies, rather than being obstacles, are incredible messengers — always guiding us toward what needs attention.
By embracing this holistic approach, we can break free from old cycles of suppression and pain, learning instead to honor the natural flow of our emotions, the wisdom of our bodies, and the power of our own awareness.
Looking Back
I realize how much my childhood self needed to know that feeling and expressing emotions was okay. I needed someone to tell me that those big feelings weren’t something to hide or be ashamed of — that they were natural, and that there were healthy ways to process them. I needed tools and resources to guide me through those emotions, and unfortunately, I didn’t have them.
As part of my own healing journey and inner child work, I felt deeply called to create something that my younger self — and so many others — could have benefited from. It's available here if you'd like to explore it: The Baby Whale That Wailed. It's a story that encourages children to feel and express their emotions freely, showing them that tears, sadness, and even anger are all part of being human. I know that this book is one I would have clung to as a child, and my hope is that it offers that same comfort and understanding to children today.
I believe that by supporting this next generation, we can create a world where children grow up knowing how to process their feelings in healthy ways. We have the opportunity to teach them these tools early on — so they don’t have to do the same hard work that so many of us are navigating now. Let's help raise a generation that feels safe to feel.ing cycles and inviting peace.
Explore Tools for Your Journey
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The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – A life-changing book that explores consciousness, presence, and inner peace, teaching readers how to break free from mental noise and embrace the present moment. Discover it HERE!
Online-Therapy.com – A comprehensive platform offering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools, daily journal prompts, yoga, and live sessions with licensed therapists—all in one place. Start your healing journey HERE!
Mindfulness.com – A powerful resource for guided meditations, mindfulness practices, and tools to help you stay grounded and present. Find it HERE!
If you're looking for more inspiration and resources to support your journey, I invite you to explore my full collection of products and tools.
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🌙 Thank you for being here — trust what’s rising within you and keep unearthing your true self.
Rooted in gratitude, KELSEY!!!! 🌿