Why Do I Still Brace?


Hi Reader,

There are moments when your mind knows you’re safe…

…but your body still braces.

Maybe you pull away from closeness.
Maybe your chest tightens when someone gets emotionally near.
Maybe part of you longs for connection — while another part stays guarded.

If that happens, I want to offer something important:

You’re not broken.
You’re protected.

Our nervous systems are intelligent.
They learned how to keep us safe.

This week, I shared a new guided meditation:

Softening Old Defenses | A Meditation for Feeling Safe

It’s a gentle practice to help you:

  • Ground into your body
  • Thank your protection instead of fighting it
  • Build safety before asking yourself to soften

Because defenses don’t relax when they’re shamed.
They soften when they feel understood.

If this resonates, I invite you to read the full blog post and explore the meditation here:

Before you go, take a moment with this:

• Where does my body tend to brace when closeness appears?
• What might happen if I met that protection with gratitude instead of pressure?

You don’t have to force openness.
Safety comes first.

Warmly,

Intima

Hi, I’m Raquel Perez, a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Colorado. I’m passionate about creating safe spaces for insight and emotional connection, whether through one-on-one therapy or my online resources. My approach blends traditional therapeutic techniques with holistic practices to help individuals navigate challenges like depression, anxiety, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. In my work, I focus on the importance of safety for insight—creating an environment where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. I offer a variety of services, including Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, Couples/Relationship Therapy, Sex Therapy, and individual Counseling. My goal is always to help you feel empowered to face your struggles, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and take steps toward a life full of meaning and connection. In addition to therapy, I offer free resources like guided meditations and workshops, including my 7-day personal development workshop on overcoming the depression cycle. I also host live Q&A events in my private Facebook group, where we dive into mental health topics and strategies for self-discovery. I’m here to support you on your journey toward clarity, self-awareness, and growth.

Read more from Intima

Hi Reader, Have you ever noticed how hard it can be to receive love — even when you deeply want it? Not because you don’t care. But because something in your body tightens first. This week, I noticed my own freeze response soften in a moment with my son… and again in my relationship. And it reminded me of something important: Receiving love isn’t about trying harder. It’s about feeling safe enough to stay open. In this week’s reflection, I explore: • Why the nervous system freezes in...

Hi Reader, Sometimes receiving love feels harder than giving it. You might long for closeness… but notice your body tighten when it arrives. That response isn’t weakness. It’s protection. This week, I shared a heart-centered meditation called “Receiving Love Again.” It’s a slow, grounded space to soften old defenses, regulate the nervous system, and gently practice receiving love — without pressure or performance. If this feels tender for you, here are two small reflection prompts to sit...

INTIMA: March 2026 Create Safety for Insight Healing the Inner Child, Gently This month, I want to talk about something tender —the parts of us that learned very early how to survive love. Many of us didn’t grow up in environments that were intentionally harmful.And still, our bodies learned important lessons: When to brace When to pull back When closeness might cost too much These patterns don’t mean anything is wrong with you.They mean your nervous system adapted to keep you safe. And those...