From Friction to Flow: What Are You Carrying That Isn’t Yours?

Some stress isn’t even ours.
It’s inherited, absorbed, expected—or quietly accumulated from the people, roles, and spaces we’re connected to.

But over time, these invisible weights show up in very real ways:

• Jaw clenching during meetings

• Tight hips during a long drive

• Digestive unease, even when you’ve “done everything right”

• Racing thoughts after you’ve checked everything off your list

This week’s invitation is to get honest—not with your planner, but with your nervous system.

You don’t need to know exactly where the weight came from to start setting it down.

This Week’s Micro-Moment Practice:

Set a 90-second timer.
Sit or stand with your spine long and feet grounded.

Close your eyes. Breathe softly.

Ask:
“What am I carrying that doesn’t belong to me?”

Notice what arises. It may be:

• A subtle tightening across your chest

• A mental image or memory

• A word like “pressure,” “expectation,” or “responsibility”

📍Somatic Cue:
If it lightens as you breathe—chances are, it’s not truly yours to hold.

Research in somatic psychology (Lieberman et al., 2007) shows that naming an internal experience—even silently—can reduce its intensity by up to 50%, supporting nervous system regulation.

Reflection Prompts:

• Whose expectations am I holding onto right now?

• What role am I trying to perform that no longer aligns with who I am?

• What would shift if I let this go—even just for the weekend?

Embodiment Prompt:

Take a short walk this weekend with one gentle question on repeat:
“What would it feel like to lay this down?”

This isn’t about fixing. It’s about freeing.
Let the movement be your meditation.

Prefer to stay seated? Try placing your hands palms-down on your thighs and repeat:
“I’m safe to soften. I don’t have to carry it all.”