“But from this moment on, I understood that feelings, no matter how powerful, aren’t fatal. And they are temporary. Suppressing the feelings only makes it harder to let them go. Expression is the opposite of depression.” - Dr. Edith Eva Eger p 178-9 of her book The Choice: Embrace the Possible

She has a wonderful way with words, doesn’t she? What a powerful provoking person. I highly recommend this book. It is difficult to read at times, and it is full of hope, courage, and light. When I read this quote, I immediately marked up my copy of the book. (I use erasable pens so I can change my mind later if I want to. Don’t worry my concerned fellow paper book readers!)

This quote was so powerful to me. This section comes immediately after she describes a situation where she’s in a session with her therapist and she finally lets her feelings out physically.

She screams in her therapy session.

It is such a powerful image. It reminded me of a time in my own therapy when I put a few Kleenex over a pillow and sobbed into it. The sentence about expression vs. depression has never been so concisely clear to me before. The emotions that are churning inside of her have to have a place to go. If she doesn’t expend them in a safe place with a safe person, then they will continue to churn inside. Eventually, if they are ignored then depression may set in. She was so brave to give voice to her feelings, and then when she did, she could take a more complete breath. She learned that she will survive past the feeling.

My hope is that if you have feelings churning inside, you will be afforded the same opportunity. Your physical release may look different. You might cry, hug a pillow, or need to walk or jog or sprint or do jumping jacks. Your body will let you know what you need.

I want the therapy office to be a place where you feel the freedom to let your feelings out. Even if they scare you, even if they are gigantic, it is possible to move through them.

You don't have to do this alone.