What's on your mind?
What's on your mind? This question is a powerful coaching statement that works both figuratively and literally. You can think of it as something “flowing” through, finding its way, like thread passing through a fork... Or imagine something emerging from within, even amidst “density,” “noise,” or “chaos”; like a train passing through a market in Bangkok. Each is a striking metaphor symbolizing the concept of self-expression. . .
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Expressing oneself is a combination of emotional release and self-regulation. In psychology, this is called emotional expression or emotional disclosure. Research shows that individuals who suppress their emotions: emotional expression veya emotional disclosure .
- Stress levels are rising,
- The immune system is weakening.
- The risk of anxiety and depression is increasing.
Expression is part of identity. According to humanist psychologists such as Carl Rogers, in order for an individual to connect with their true self, they must first be able to express themselves. Expression is the way a person says, “I am here.”..
Being unable to express oneself is a form of internalized violence. Suppressed emotions, when not expressed, either manifest passively-aggressively toward others or may lead to self-harm. Therefore, expressing oneself is not merely a right or a means of communication, but also a vital psychological need.
Expressing yourself is the breath of your soul.
Every suppressed emotion takes up space in your body.
Talk, write, draw, dance... but find a way.
Don't keep your feelings bottled up inside.
Because you are only as real as you can express yourself. .
How Can You Express Yourself?
The ways to express oneself are endless. Some of us put our feelings into words, some into colors, rhythm, movement... Fields such as art, music, literature, dance, or sports offer unique channels for expressing emotions. Engaging in these fields is not only an emotional release; it also supports inner harmony, focus, and spiritual well-being.
Creativity is not a luxury; it is a necessity for the development of the soul. Expressing oneself is not just about conveying what is inside, but also about transforming it, reinterpreting it, and inspiring others. Every line, every step, every note is the embodiment of what flows through you. Let us not forget that understanding what you feel is the path to knowing yourself; expressing it is the path to building yourself.
One of the most effective ways to express yourself is through writing. The technique, called “Expressive Writing” by Dr. James Pennebaker, is a powerful tool for individuals to make sense of their suppressed emotions and experiences. Pennebaker asks participants to write about their “most emotionally affecting experiences” for just 4 days, 15-20 minutes a day, without interruption or censorship. Even this short practice has been shown to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress levels, and improve psychological well-being. His basic sentence is as follows: Write, but not as if someone were judging you; just write whatever comes to mind.
Today, I want you to spend 15 minutes alone with yourself and write down the intense experience you've been having. Don't correct your sentences as you write, don't think about what you're writing, just write. Pour out whatever is inside you. Perhaps this could be the first breath you've given your soul in a long time.
Tayfun Topaloğlu
References: Pennebaker, J. W., & Smyth, J. M. (2016). Opening up by writing it down: How expressive writing improves health and eases emotional pain (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
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