What Does It Feel Like to Decolonize?

When people hear the word decolonization, it often sounds like a big, abstract concept. But in practice, decolonization is not just a theory, it is something we feel in our bodies, our relationships, and our daily choices.

For me, decolonizing often begins with noticing. It is the moment of realizing that the systems around us, whether in education, healthcare, or even therapy, were not created with our wholeness in mind. It is the discomfort of recognizing how colonial patterns show up in our own work and lives, even when we are deeply committed to justice. And it is also the relief of finding practices that reconnect us to our bodies, our ancestors, and our communities.

In my practice, I see decolonization as both a softening and a strengthening. There is a softening into our emotions, especially those we have been taught to suppress or ignore. (Seriously, have you eaten or had a bio break today?) There is a strengthening in learning to say no to practices that perpetuate harm or disconnect us from our truth.

Somatic practices are powerful tools here. By paying attention to our breath, our posture, and the sensations in our body, we can begin to notice where colonial conditioning lives inside us. For example, the urge to overwork, the pressure to perform, or the instinct to silence ourselves are not just mental patterns, they are embodied legacies of colonial systems.

Reflection: Where do you notice colonial patterns in your body or work? What small act of decolonization feels possible for you today?