Feeling Emotionally Stuck Doesn’t Mean You’re Broken

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t move forward? Maybe there’s something from your past that keeps coming up, or you find yourself reacting in ways you don’t fully understand. If this sounds familiar, I want you to know one thing: being emotionally stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken. It simply means your mind and body are holding onto something that needs attention, care, and the right kind of support.

I’ve worked with many people who feel trapped in patterns of anxiety, self-doubt, or people-pleasing. They tell me things like, “I should be over this by now,” or “Why can’t I just let this go?” But emotions don’t work like switches we can turn off. Our bodies hold on to the emotions because they are trying to heal.  Healing isn’t about willpower—it’s about helping the brain process what it hasn’t been able to before. That’s where real growth happens.

Healing isn’t about willpower—it’s about helping the brain process what it hasn’t been able to before.

Why Do We Get Emotionally Stuck?

Our brains are incredibly powerful, but sometimes they struggle to make sense of overwhelming emotions. When something stressful or traumatic happens, our brain doesn’t always process it in a way that lets us move forward. Instead, we might feel stuck—repeating the same thoughts, experiencing the same fears, or reacting in ways that don’t make sense to us.

To understand why this happens, we need to look at how the brain processes emotions. The right side of the brain is responsible for emotions, creativity, and body sensations. However, it doesn’t use words to explain what we feel—it simply feels. The left side of the brain, on the other hand, is where logic, reasoning, and language live. In order to truly process emotions, we need these two sides to work together.

But when emotions are overwhelming, the brain struggles to connect the dots. The left side might try to make sense of things, but without input from the right, emotions can feel disconnected or stuck. This is why people often say, “I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but I still do.” The logical brain understands, but the emotional brain hasn’t fully processed what happened.

How Do We Get Unstuck?

The good news is that healing is absolutely possible. One of the most effective ways to get unstuck is by helping the brain make the necessary connections across the midline—the barrier between the left and right sides. When these connections happen, emotions can finally be processed, making space for balance and resilience.

One method that does this effectively is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR helps the brain process stuck emotions by using bilateral stimulation—eye movements, tapping, or sound—to engage both sides of the brain. This allows the logical and emotional parts of the brain to work together, bringing clarity and relief. It’s like giving your brain the missing puzzle pieces it needs to make sense of things.

Many people I work with are surprised at how much lighter they feel after EMDR. They might come in feeling overwhelmed, but as their brain processes old emotions, they begin to experience a sense of wellness and relief. It’s not about erasing memories or ignoring what happened—it’s about helping your brain understand and integrate those experiences in a way that no longer feels overwhelming.

Healing Is Not a Sign of Weakness—It’s a Sign of Strength

One of the biggest myths about healing is that it means something is wrong with you. But the truth is, getting support is one of the strongest things you can do. Resilience isn’t about never struggling—it’s about finding the right tools to help you move forward. Growth happens when we give ourselves the space to heal.

If you’re feeling stuck, I encourage you to approach yourself with curiosity instead of judgment. What if your emotions aren’t the problem, but rather a message that something needs attention? What if your stuckness is actually an invitation to heal?

You are not broken. You are capable of growth, balance, and healing. And you don’t have to do it alone. With the right support, your brain can find the connections it needs to move forward, and you can finally step into the peace and confidence you deserve.