Unfreezing the Womb: International Women's Day

International Women’s Day doesn’t feel like a celebration this year. Instead, it feels as though we are navigating a tumultuous sea of emotions, grappling with the weight of the world pressing down upon us, making it hard to breathe, hard to find joy in the very essence of what this day is meant to represent.

It feels like survival. The instinctual drive to endure, to persist in the face of overwhelming odds, is palpable. It feels like holding my breath, my body curling inward, as if trying to shield itself from the chaos surrounding us. My nervous system whispers words of caution: Don’t move. Don’t speak. Stay small. Stay safe. These sentiments echo in the hearts and minds of many, resonating deeply as we navigate our lives in a world that feels increasingly hostile to our existence.

And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. Across the globe, countless women and marginalized individuals are experiencing similar sensations of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. The fear running through our bodies right now is real and palpable. The grief is real, heavy, and often suffocating. The pervasive sense that we are fighting for our very right to exist as full, sovereign beings is real. The weight of the world—of violence, of control, of systemic erasure—is pressing down on our chests, tightening our throats, making it hard to breathe. It feels as if we are all collectively holding our breath, waiting for a moment of reprieve that seems perpetually out of reach.

This is freeze. It is a state of being that many of us find ourselves in, a primal response to overwhelming danger. The nervous system’s instinctual reaction to perceived threats can manifest in various ways. When fight and flight aren’t viable options, the body instinctively protects us by shutting down, retreating into a state of stasis. We go still. We go silent. We become numb, detached, watching the world unfold around us as if it’s happening to someone else, as if we are mere spectators in our own lives, unable to engage meaningfully with the reality that surrounds us.

And if you’re feeling this today, I want you to hear me loud and clear:

There is nothing wrong with you. You are not weak. You are not broken.

Your body is doing exactly what it was designed to do—protecting you. This is the wisdom of the nervous system, the survival intelligence of the womb. And right now, more than ever, we need to listen to it, to honor our bodies and the messages they are sending us. We must recognize that this state of freeze is not a failure, but rather a natural response to the overwhelming circumstances we are facing.

How to Know If You’re in Freeze

Freeze can be subtle, often creeping into our lives in ways that are not immediately obvious. It’s not just lying still, unable to move; it can manifest in various forms, each a signal that we are experiencing this state of being. It can look like:

• Feeling emotionally numb or checked out, as if the vibrancy of life has dulled to a muted tone.

• A heavy, exhausted body that feels weighed down, reluctant to engage in activities that once brought joy.

• Struggling to make decisions or feeling mentally foggy, as if clarity is just out of reach.

• Avoiding social interactions or things that normally bring you joy, retreating further into solitude.

• Feeling like you’re floating outside of yourself, disconnected from your own emotions and experiences.

• Holding your breath without realizing it, a subconscious response to the stress around you.

When we don’t recognize freeze for what it is, we can start blaming ourselves—wondering why we can’t “snap out of it” or “just do something.” This self-judgment can compound our feelings of isolation and despair. But healing doesn’t come from forcing ourselves to move or from harsh self-criticism. It comes from gently reminding our bodies that we are safe enough to thaw, to gradually emerge from the depths of this freeze state.

Womb & Somatic Practices to Gently Unfreeze

If you feel frozen today, I want to offer you real, embodied ways to be with yourself—to meet your nervous system where it is, not force it somewhere it isn’t ready to go. It is crucial to approach this process with compassion and patience, allowing ourselves the grace to heal at our own pace.

1. Orient to the Here & Now

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to come out of freeze is to remind your body that you are here. Right now. In this moment, you exist, and your presence is valid.

Try these:

• Slowly look around the room. Name five things you see, grounding yourself in your immediate surroundings.

• Connect to your other senses: Find something to smell, find something to taste, rub your hands over something soft, play a song that makes you feel safe.

• Feel your body against the surface beneath you. Press your feet into the ground, connecting with the earth and reminding yourself of your physical presence.

• Take one deep breath in, and as you exhale, make a sound—any sound. A sigh, a hum, a moan. Sound reminds the body it is alive, it is here, and it has a voice.

2. Womb Holding & Rocking

Place both hands over your womb. Breathe deeply into this sacred space. Feel the warmth of your hands, the rise and fall of your belly as you inhale and exhale. If it feels safe, begin to rock your pelvis gently, side to side, forward and back. This small movement helps bring life back into places that feel frozen, reawakening the connection to your body and its innate wisdom.

3. Shake It Out

Animals instinctively shake after a freeze response to discharge the energy of fear. We can do the same. Stand up (or stay seated) and begin to shake—your hands, your arms, your shoulders, your whole body. Let it be messy. Let sound come if it wants to. This physical release tells your nervous system: It’s safe to move again. Embrace the freedom of movement, allowing your body to express itself without judgment.

4. The Womb’s “Yes” and “No”

Put your hands on your womb and ask: What do you need right now? Tune into the sensations and emotions that arise. Maybe she wants rest; perhaps she wants to express rage or frustration. Maybe she desires nothing at all. Honor whatever she says. Your womb is your compass—trust her. This connection can guide you toward what you truly need in this moment.

5. Let the Rage Move Through

If grief or anger wants to rise, let it. Write it out. Rip the pages. Stomp your feet. Scream into a pillow. Let the energy that has been trapped inside your body move. This release is vital, allowing you to process and express the emotions that may have been stifled for too long.

You Are Not Alone. We Are Not Alone.

The world wants us silent. Numb. Frozen. But even in freeze, our bones remember strength. Even in grief, our wombs remember creation. Even in silence, our voices are waiting to rise, to be heard, to reclaim our power. We are interconnected in our experiences, and together we can create a tapestry of resilience and strength.

And we do not have to rise alone. In this journey of healing and reclamation, we can lean on one another, supporting each other in our moments of vulnerability and strength.

If all you do today is breathe, that is enough. If all you do is rest, that is enough. If all you do is read these words and know you are not alone, that is enough. Your existence is valid, and your journey is important.

We are still here. Despite the challenges, despite the weight we carry, we are still here.

We are still here. Together, we stand strong, united in our resilience and our hope.

We are still here. And that is everything. Our presence, our voices, our stories matter. Let us honor that truth as we navigate this journey together.