Releasing Negative Emotions

releasing negative emotions

how do i stop the hurt?

We’ve all experienced moments when negative emotions like anger, sadness, guilt, shame, or fear seem to hang around far longer than we’d like. While it’s completely natural to feel these emotions, holding onto them can weigh us down—mentally, emotionally, and even physically. This might sound like hippie woo-woo to some, but this has been proven over and over again. Unrealised and unaddressed negative emotions, especially those experienced in childhood, truly can hold physical space in the body. If you’d like to know more about this, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a Boston Based Psychiatrist has written a great book called The Body Keeps the Score. It’s definitely worth a read.

Buy, hey, there is some good news! You don’t have to stay stuck in the cycle of negative emotional triggers, and emotional baggage stored in the body can be released.

With the right support and tools, it’s possible to release negative emotions and create space for clarity, confidence, and emotional freedom. In this post, we’ll explore how Coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Hypnotherapy can help you let go of what no longer serves you—gently and effectively.

WHY DO WE HOLD ONTO NEGATIVE EMOTIONS?

Our emotional responses often stem from past experiences—sometimes even ones we barely remember. When we don’t process or understand these emotions fully, they can become “stuck,” resurfacing in our thoughts, behaviors, or reactions without us realizing why.
Think of it like emotional clutter: over time, if it’s not cleared out, it builds up and can impact how we see ourselves, our relationships, and our ability to move forward. We hold onto negative emotions for a mix of psychological, evolutionary, and social reasons.

1. Survival and Evolution

Negative emotions signal threats. Emotions like fear, anger, and sadness evolved to help us survive. Fear makes us avoid danger; anger helps us confront threats; sadness can signal a need for support.
The brain has a negativity bias. We’re wired to pay more attention to negative experiences than positive ones because it helped our ancestors avoid harm.

2. Unresolved Experiences

Unprocessed trauma or pain. When something hurtful happens and we don’t fully process it, those emotions can linger.
Replaying the past. We often revisit painful events to try to understand them, which can trap us in cycles of regret, shame, or anger.

3. Identity and Meaning

We associate emotions with our identity. Sometimes we tie our emotions to our sense of self: “I’m someone who was wronged,” or “I’m always anxious.” Letting go can feel like letting go of a part of ourselves.
Emotions carry meaning. Holding on to hurt can be a way of honoring a loss, injustice, or experience — like keeping a scar visible as a reminder.

4. Fear of Vulnerability or Change

Letting go feels risky. Releasing anger or sadness may feel like letting someone “off the hook” or becoming vulnerable again.
Familiar pain feels safer than unfamiliar peace. Sometimes it’s easier to cling to known discomfort than to face the unknown of healing or change.

5. Social and Cultural Influences

We’re taught to suppress or overidentify. Some cultures discourage emotional expression; others encourage dramatic expressions. Neither necessarily helps us move on.
We get attention or validation. People may respond more strongly to our pain than our joy, unintentionally reinforcing our negative emotional states.

HOW COACHING HELPS YOU GET UNSTUCK.

During coaching, I create a safe, non-judgmental space where you can explore what you’re feeling and why.

Through powerful questions, active listening, and gentle guidance, coaching helps bring awareness to emotional patterns you may not have noticed.

The goal isn’t to push negative emotions away—it’s to understand them, learn from them, and shift your perspective. You’ll gain practical tools and insights that empower you to respond to life’s challenges with more clarity and choice.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) focuses on how the language of our mind influences our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s incredibly effective for identifying and changing the internal “programs” that keep us feeling stuck.

As a qualified NLP trainer, I can work with you to:

Reframe negative thoughts into more empowering ones
Break emotional triggers that are linked to past experiences
Anchor positive emotional states, so they’re more easily accessible

These techniques can often create fast, lasting change—especially when combined with coaching or hypnotherapy.

Letting Go at a Deeper Level

Sometimes, emotions are rooted so deeply that talking about them isn’t enough. That’s where Quantum sessions and Hypnotherapy come in.

Hypnotherapy works by guiding you into a relaxed, focused state—similar to daydreaming—where your subconscious mind is more open and responsive. In this state, you can safely explore and release the emotional “imprints” of past experiences, and replace them with more supportive beliefs and feelings.
Many people find hypnotherapy to be deeply calming and transformational, especially for releasing emotions they haven’t been able to access consciously.

Quantum sessions are particularly useful for creating substantial change in a shorter period of time. During a Quantum session, you’ll find yourself in a very relaxed and expanded state. From this space, we connect to the learnings of these negative emotions and find what is required to transcend them in a way that honors your highest good. These sessions are incredibly powerful and clients have experienced some extraordinary results through this process.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE

Each of these modalities—Coaching, NLP, and Quantum (or Hypnotherapy)—offers unique benefits, but when combined, they create a powerful pathway for emotional healing and personal growth.

Coaching gives you conscious insight and direction.
NLP helps shift limiting thought patterns.
Quantum works at the root of emotional blocks.

Together, they don’t just help you manage negative emotions—they empower you to release them.

Releasing negative emotions is a courageous and deeply healing journey. Whether you’re carrying past hurts, navigating anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed, know that there are effective tools and compassionate support available.

If you’re ready to feel lighter, more at peace, and more in control of your inner world, consider contacting me about any of these modalities. The change you’re looking for may be closer than you think.