The Unsent Letter: Releasing What You're Still Carrying

This week's Healing Moment is an action step Jessica uses regularly in her clinical work: writing an unsent letter. It's a simple, powerful practice for releasing what you've been holding onto — honestly, and without ever having to send it.What You'll LearnAn unsent letter is written with full honesty, knowing it will never reach its recipient. It's not about the person on the other end — it's about you, and what needs somewhere to go. Jessica offers a few starting points for who or what you might write to:A person who hurt you, disappointed you, or left something unresolved between youA version of yourself — younger, older, or one you had to leave behindA situation that didn't go the way you needed it toA loss you've never fully namedSomething you're ready to let go of, but haven't found the words for yetThe instructions are simple: start with "Dear ___," and let it come. Don't edit. Don't make it fair or balanced. When you're done, the letter is yours to burn, delete, fold away, or keep — there's no wrong answer. The healing is in the writing itself.Jessica also touches on why this practice works: emotions like grief, anger, love, longing, and guilt need expression to move. Left locked inside, they don't disappear — they go underground and show up sideways. The unsent letter gives them somewhere to go.A Note From JessicaJessica leaves listeners with a reflection question to sit with this week: When was the last time you truly relaxed and let go? She also shares a small teaser about the bigger project she's been working on behind the scenes.Connect With Jessica📩 Sign up for the newsletter: healingismyhobby.com 📸 Instagram: @healingismyhobby ▶️ YouTube: Healing Is My Hobby 🩺 Clinical practice: jessicacolarcolcsw.com 📸 Practice Instagram: @jessicacolarcounsent letter, unsent letter therapy, letter writing exercise, therapeutic writing, expressive writing, emotional release, letting go exercise, processing grief, processing anger, unresolved emotions, journaling for healing, writing to heal, closure without sending, clinical writing exercise, healing moments, healing is my hobby, Jessica Colarco LCSW, mental health podcast, therapy podcast, self-care practice, emotional regulation, letting go of the past, therapeutic journaling prompt, grief and anger release, how to write an unsent letter