Episode 39: Inviting Emotions Back: Journaling Through Numbness

Hey friend, welcome back to The Journaling Room Podcast. I’m your host, Kendall Snyder—and today, we’re talking about a version of emotional regulation that doesn’t always get airtime.

Not what to do when you're flooded with anger or tears... But what to do when you feel nothing.

If you've been navigating burnout, emotional flatness, or that numb, tired fog that makes everything feel kind of far away—this episode is your invitation to take a deep breath, meet yourself gently, and remember: you're not broken. You're human. Let’s explore how journaling can help us slowly, lovingly invite emotion back in.

Here are four journaling prompts for days when you feel emotionally shut down:

1. “What do I notice right now in my body?”

“My chest feels tight.” “My shoulders are heavy.” “I feel buzzy. Or hollow. Or blank.”

This brings you into the moment—no emotion required.

2. “If I could feel something, what might it be?”

This is not a pressure-filled question. It’s an invitation.

“If I could feel... maybe I’d feel tired. Lonely. Grieved.”

It opens the door without forcing anything.

3. “What do I miss feeling?”

This reconnects you with past experiences of emotion.

“I miss feeling excited.” “I miss laughing easily.” “I miss even crying—it meant I was connected.”

4. “What does my numbness need from me today?”

Maybe it says: time, stillness, warmth, or grace. Let it speak. It usually will.

Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay