If Words Are Suffocating You, It's Time to Let Them Out

Not even the quietest person in the world can carry all their feelings in silence, since we all need to let off steam from time to time and verbalize what is suffocating us internally. In fact, there will be times when you probably know that words are suffocating you, hurting you inside and yet you just don’t know how to express what you are feeling. It’s as if you have choked and your heart isn’t letting you breathe.

It may even make you think that there are no words accurate enough to convey a true picture of what is really happening to you. This is completely normal, we just have to try and learn how to breathe deeply. We have all gone through a situation like this sometime before, but I can tell you that it won’t stay like this indefinitely: believe it or not, your bubble of pain will break and you will find the way to alleviate the pain and feel better.

Not expressing your emotions can make you ill

There are so many emotions that we can feel inside, that, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, they have to be externalized so that we can channel them properly. Otherwise, they remain inside you making a nuisance of themselves and robbing you of some of your energy.

Our bodies and minds need us to express the information that they collect from the experiences we have and if we don’t do that then they can become ill: for example, alexithymia is a condition that occurs when we push the limits of that inability to manifest our emotions.

If you feel that you are completely overwhelmed and don’t know how to carry on, perhaps it’s time to let your words speak for you, or even to seek help – not to tell you what or what not to do, but rather to search for that sense of understanding that all of us need.

Chase words that want to run away

It is strange that, just when you have the urge to say something, you can’t, because the words seem to just flee and don’t let you! However, if you look for strength to chase after them, you’ll end up getting hold of them.

It’s possible that just when you’re about to speak, you only succeed in stuttering, your sentences are faltering and your mouth feels dry. Or maybe, instead of talking, you try to write your thoughts down, but they just don’t seem to come together and you end up amazed with what you see on the paper.

However, the words that are suffocating you have to come out because it’s beneficial for you to listen to them and accept them. Until you express them, you will not be able to embrace them, nor will you know how to apply them to your life.

Some tools on how to let off steam

To let off steam is one of the most complicated processes that we have to face as people, because we have to expose ourselves to everything we are suffering in order to really see closely what is afflicting us.

However, there are some techniques that could facilitate emotional relief and help you find your inner peace:

• Be your own counselor: If you think you have a good capacity for the objectivity you need to analyze yourself, it is likely that addressing the pros and cons of what happens to you is a good calming exercise for you.
• Cry: I always say that it is beneficial to cry, but I think it’s necessary to understand that it is only useful when we are aware that it is calming us down. Give yourself the chance to cry until you can’t cry anymore if you need to, but after doing so try to draw conclusions about it.

• Get peace and calmness: the best way to approach problems is in an atmosphere of peace and calm. If you are having a bad time then do something that relaxes you, like listening to music, and then search for the words you need to say.
• Surround yourself with people who love you: it is evident that it is so important to find someone close to you who rejoices at your achievements at the same time as having the empathy for your failures, fears or indecision. I am sure that there is someone at your side who is willing not to judge you, with whom you are free to speak and be heard.