The One Prompt That Changed How I Relate to My Emotions (Try This With Me!)
Let’s talk about the prompt that stopped me mid-scroll and forced me to put down my emotional “fix-it” toolkit for a hot second. You know how we’re all obsessed with self-improvement, “healing,” and understanding every weird mood swing we have? (Guilty.) But what if the real magic is not in fixing, but in listening?
Here’s the prompt that I want you to steal, scribble on sticky notes, tattoo on your forearm (okay, maybe not literally), and ask yourself the next time your feelings get weird:
The Prompt
“If I stopped trying to understand and fix my emotions, and instead let them be information from my body, what might they be trying to tell me right now?”
Yes, read it again. I’ll wait.
Why This Prompt Is a Game Changer
We’re conditioned to believe emotions are problems to solve. Anxiety? Banish it! Sadness? “Just think positive!” Rage? Meditate it away! (Spoiler: That never works for long.)
This prompt flips that entire script. Instead of treating your feelings like broken apps that need troubleshooting, it invites you to treat them as signals, real-time, unfiltered data from your inner world. What if your emotions aren’t personal failures, but your body’s most honest attempt to communicate what’s actually going on?
Try It: Real-Life Emotional Debugging
Next time you’re overwhelmed, stuck, or spiraling, don’t rush to “fix” yourself. Just try this prompt. Ask it out loud or journal it:
If I stopped trying to fix this feeling… what’s my body telling me?
If I wasn’t obsessing over WHY I’m anxious, what’s this sensation trying to show me?
You might be surprised by what comes up, a need for rest, a boundary you’re ignoring, grief you didn’t know you were carrying.
Sharing the Prompt: Spread the Emotional Revolution
I dare you to share this prompt with a friend, your group chat, or your social feed. Seriously. Watch how quickly the vibe shifts from “What’s wrong with me?” to “Oh…maybe I’m not broken after all.”
What Happens When You Actually Use This Prompt?
Here’s what happened when I tried it (and full disclosure: I didn’t levitate or achieve instant enlightenment, just real, raw clarity):
Instead of spiraling into analysis-paralysis about why I was feeling anxious, I asked:
If I stopped trying to fix this, what’s my body saying?
The answer wasn’t poetic or profound. It was, “You need to rest. Seriously. Step away from your laptop. Stretch. Drink some water.”
That’s it. But you know what? That was enough.
Other times, this prompt has helped me spot boundaries I’m ignoring, relationships that drain me, and even old grief I’d buried under “busyness.” It’s like giving your body a direct line to your brain, no therapist’s office required.
How to Make This Prompt a Daily Practice
Put it on your mirror: See it when you’re brushing your teeth or scrolling for validation.
Use it in your journaling: Start each entry with the prompt, then see what comes out.
Share it in your group chat: You’ll be amazed how many people need exactly this reframe.
The Science and Soul of Somatic Awareness
If you’re into emotional healing, somatic awareness, trauma recovery, or mind-body connection (and hey, who isn’t these days?), prompts like this are more than woo-woo, they’re neuroscience in action.
Listening to your body is proven to help regulate your nervous system, build emotional intelligence, and shift out of survival mode.
So when you stop fixing and start listening, you’re not just getting softer, you’re actually getting smarter (and probably more fun to be around).
Your Turn: What’s Your Body Trying to Say?
Here’s my challenge to you:
The next time you feel off, lost, or like your feelings are “too much,” use this prompt. Write it down, say it out loud, or just think it in the shower. Then actually listen. No judgment, no overthinking, no rushing to “fix.”
If you’re feeling brave (or just curious), share what comes up with me. DM, comment, or email. I love collecting these stories. (And who knows, your realization might be the exact medicine someone else needs.)
