Let It Out: The Quiet Power of Externalising Stress

Stress has a way of sneaking in quietly and setting up camp. It sits in our shoulders, our jaw, our chest, until we can’t tell where we end and it begins. Our bodies are incredible at holding on. They’re just not as good at letting go.

Externalising stress is about moving what’s inside of us into the world. It’s a way of giving shape to what we feel so we can see it, understand it, and start to release it. It’s not about pretending life is calm. It’s about creating space between what’s happening and who we are.

And it’s not easy. Letting go of stress can feel uncomfortable, even foreign. We’ve been taught to hold it all together, to stay composed, to keep moving. Releasing it can feel like weakness when it’s actually strength. It takes practice and a bit of courage to soften instead of brace.

Start by naming it

When tension builds, notice what your body is saying. Is your stomach tight? Are your shoulders raised? Name it out loud or write it down. Say it simply. “I’m feeling pressure.” “I’m overwhelmed.” Honest words help your body and mind reconnect.

Use small rituals

Externalising doesn’t always mean talking things through. Sometimes it’s about movement. Going for a walk. Tidying a space. Letting your hands do something that gives your thoughts a chance to breathe. It might also be creative. Journalling. Sketching. Gardening. Lighting a candle at the end of the day and watching the flame soften what’s been heavy.

Let nature hold some of it

Stepping outside and letting the air hit your face is one of the easiest ways to remember that not everything belongs inside you. The trees, the sea, the horizon can hold some of what you’re carrying. You don’t need to hold it all.

Remember it’s not you

Stress is something you experience. It’s not who you are. When you externalise it, you remind yourself that you can see it, respond to it, and let it move through you. It doesn’t define you.

The rhythm of release

At Morrow and Tide, calm isn’t a fixed state. It’s a rhythm we return to. Letting stress move through you instead of settle is part of that rhythm. You don’t need to hold everything inside. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is simply let it out and let it go. Even when it feels hard.