We are fast approaching the cold months now and an observation that constantly captures my attention is the process nature goes through to adapt to this seasonal change.
Aside from the beautiful colour changes and bareness that eventuates, the survival element nature goes through to ensure its life force continues is a fascinating process to witness.
Trees do this automatically; the leaves shed to allow food resources over winter to be reserved, the fallen leaves then de compose into the ground surrounding the roots and nourish them ready for new growth in spring. It’s an amazing self sufficient life cycle for survival.
So how can we adapt the concept of this cycle?
Letting go of things that don’t serve us can look different for everyone.
It might be in the physical realm of clearing out material goods or old items;
It might be in the mental sense of letting go of an idea or a habit;
It might be in the emotional sense of letting go of relationships or old behaviours that are no longer serving;
it might be in the spiritual realm of letting go of old beliefs and clearing unhelpful spiritual attachments.
What ever letting go means for you right now bringing intention to it is one of the most fundamental acts of self care.
Why?
Because it relates to one of the most important areas of nervous system suppression, which is looking at the authentic and honest ‘no’s’ that want to be said but don’t.
Why?
Because not saying an authentic and honest ‘no’ creates a suppressive energy in the body.
Why?
Because it often involves holding back emotions, desires, or instincts, which can create internal tension. When we resist expressing ourselves authentically—whether it’s declining something we don’t want or disagreeing with someone—we might physically and emotionally “tighten up” as a form of self-control. This internal conflict can lead to suppressed energy in several ways:
Muscle Tension: Repressing feelings, especially frustration, anxiety, or anger, can cause physical tightness in areas like the jaw, shoulders, neck, or chest. This tightness restricts the natural flow of energy and reduces relaxation.
Emotional Blockage: Not voicing what we truly feel can create emotional stagnation. Over time, this unexpressed energy can lead to feeling drained or disconnected from oneself, as it takes effort to continually withhold or suppress true emotions.
Mental Fatigue: Constantly saying “yes” when we mean “no” can result in mental exhaustion, as it forces us to navigate situations that don’t align with our authentic desires or boundaries. This mental strain can deplete energy over time.
Stress and Cortisol: Suppressing natural reactions triggers stress responses. Prolonged stress elevates cortisol levels, which can reduce energy, increase fatigue, and negatively affect overall well-being.
By saying “no” when appropriate, we allow ourselves to release tension, preserve our energy, and stay aligned with what we genuinely need or want. It promotes emotional balance and physical vitality.
Where does not being able to say our authentic no originate from?
Suppressing a ‘no’ is a safety decision made by the nervous system to keep it safe. As a child this is done because the nervous system knows the outcome of saying no may not end well for them so the executive decision is made to suppress true emotions at that time.
This is an important and celebrated survival adaptation that helps maintain nervous system safety at the time. But long term it is an unhealthy suppression for the body to hold onto.
On a personality side it can show up in many ways, it may come across as people pleasing, being afraid to show personal greatness, difficulty in be able to ask or receive for help, over achieving and competitiveness.
This suppression then leads to the inability to let in the authentic ‘yes’s to those activities and decisions in life that nurture health.
A life long pattern of not feeling safe enough to saying our authentic ‘no’s’ and welcoming in our authentic ‘yes’s’ creates a compounding suppressive energy in the body. Over time this compounded suppression accumulates into autoimmune diseases, chronic stress, anxiety and other stress related illnesses.
Aside from the suppression physically in the body, under spiritual law it also opens the body up to receive hindering spirits and energies. These energies further pressure an individuals life from ‘getting ahead’ in particular aspects of their life, such as relationships, finances, work or health.
Spiritual law is available for all to learn and is quite simple. The problem is it has become so widely hindered and misinformed through society over the decades it hard for many to see the simplicity.
Using the first thought that comes into your mind:
What will letting go look like when it comes to you saying ‘no’ to things that are no longer serving you?
Enjoy the release as you let go.
May the flow of life continue to embrace you,
Warmly,
Charlotte