Written by Marti Copeland

“When you heal, you don’t just heal yourself. You heal everyone who witnesses your transformation.” – Marti Copeland

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Have you ever caught yourself pausing mid-thought, only to brush it off and move on? Maybe a memory or a hurtful emotion bubbled up, and instead of addressing it, you buried it deeper.

This is called thought blocking, a defense mechanism many of us unconsciously use.

But here’s the problem: unaddressed emotions don’t go away. They become the root of lingering pain, impacting our mental health and relationships.

Healing is hard work, but it’s also essential. And when you take steps to heal, you inspire others to do the same.

What Is Thought Blocking?
Thought blocking is when your brain instinctively shuts down a train of thought that feels too painful to explore. Instead of processing the emotion, you suppress it and move on. While this might help in the moment, over time, it creates emotional buildup.

This is why so many people struggle to heal—because the source of pain isn’t addressed. We distract ourselves, brush off feelings, and avoid the hard work of sitting with our emotions.

Signs You Might Be Avoiding Healing:

• You avoid talking about certain topics or memories.
• You use distractions (work, social media, etc.) to suppress uncomfortable feelings.
• You feel stuck emotionally or unable to move forward.
• You hesitate to open up to others, even those closest to you.

The Power of Vulnerability:
Healing begins with honesty—with yourself and others. By acknowledging your feelings, you create space to process and release them. And when you model vulnerability, you empower others to do the same.

How to Start Healing:

1. Name Your Emotions: When you feel discomfort, pause and identify the feeling. Is it sadness, anger, guilt?
2. Talk About It: Share your thoughts with a trusted person or counselor. Acknowledging pain out loud is a powerful step.
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself as you work through difficult emotions. Healing is a process, not a quick fix.
4. Model Healing for Others: When you heal, you create space for others to follow suit. Be the example.

The source of healing lies in connection—with yourself and with others. The first step? Stop brushing things aside and start the conversation. Healing is hard, but it’s worth it—for you and the people you inspire along the way.

Take Action

What’s one emotion or memory you’ve been avoiding? Write it down or share it with someone you trust.