Why I’m Fine Might Not Be True
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
Marta Marek, founder of ONIMA Breathwork, is a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator who guides individuals and groups to heal from within, release emotional blockages, and find lasting balance through the power of breath.
Saying "I'm fine" is a reflexive response, but it often hides deeper emotions. Our body speaks volumes through subtle tension, shallow breathing, and quiet discomfort, which we may ignore in favor of maintaining a facade of composure.
The hidden language of the body
“I’m fine.” It’s one of the most common responses we give. It is automatic, quick, and socially acceptable. But in many cases, it’s not a reflection of how we truly feel. It’s a way to move through the moment without going deeper. When we pause and check in with ourselves, something else often appears, subtle tension, a tight chest, shallow breathing, or a quiet sense of unease. The mind says one thing, the body often says another.
Why we disconnect from what we feel
Most of us were never taught how to process emotions in a healthy and embodied way. Instead, we learned to stay composed, move forward quickly, minimize discomfort, and keep functioning. Over time, this creates a pattern of disconnection. We rely on mental narratives instead of physical awareness. “I’m fine” becomes less of a truth and more of a habit. But emotional experiences don’t resolve simply because we ignore them.
What happens when emotions are not processed
Unprocessed emotions don’t disappear, they are stored in the body. This is not just a psychological idea, but a physiological process. When the nervous system experiences stress or overwhelm and does not fully complete its response, the body can remain in a state of subtle activation. This may show up as chronic tension in the body, shallow or restricted breathing, increased stress or anxiety, emotional reactivity, or fatigue and disconnection. Over time, these patterns become familiar. You adapt to them. And from that place, “I’m fine” can feel true, even when it isn’t.
The role of the nervous system
The autonomic nervous system plays a central role in how we experience and process emotions. When we feel safe, the body can regulate, release, and return to balance. But when we feel overwhelmed, the body shifts into survival responses, fight, flight, or freeze. In these states, breathing becomes faster or more restricted, the body holds tension, and emotional processing is interrupted. If the system does not return to regulation, the experience can remain unresolved in the body. This is why certain emotions linger, even when we cannot clearly explain them.
Why awareness alone is not enough
Many people develop strong self-awareness on a cognitive level. They understand their past, their patterns, and their triggers. But understanding is not the same as release. Emotions are not stored in the mind, they are experienced in the body. This is why you can “know” something and still feel stuck. True processing requires presence, not just analysis.
Breathwork as a pathway to release
The breath is one of the most direct ways to access the body and influence the nervous system. It reflects your internal state in real time. When you consciously work with it, you can begin to shift that state. Breathwork supports the body in moving out of survival responses, releasing stored tension, processing emotional experiences, and restoring a sense of safety and balance. As a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, I often see people arrive believing they are “fine,” only to discover deeper layers once they begin to connect with their breath. Not because something new is created, but because something that was already there is finally given space.
A simple practice to begin
You don’t need an intensive session to start building awareness. Try this, sit comfortably. Place one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Take a slow inhale through your nose and allow your belly to expand. Exhale gently through your mouth. Continue for a few minutes. Then ask yourself, “What am I actually feeling right now?” Not the automatic answer, the honest one. There is nothing to fix, only something to notice.
Moving beyond “I’m fine”
Saying “I’m fine” is not wrong. Sometimes it’s appropriate, and sometimes it’s necessary. But if it becomes your default, it can create distance between you and your true experience. The body is constantly communicating through breath, sensation, and subtle signals. The question is not whether something is there. The question is whether you are willing to listen.
If this speaks to you and you feel ready to explore what your body might be holding, breathwork can be a powerful place to start. You’re always welcome to reach out to me for guidance.
Read more from Marta Magdalena Marek
Marta Magdalena Marek, Trauma Informed Breathwork Facilitator
Marta Marek is a trauma-informed breathwork facilitator and founder of ONIMA Breathwork. Originally from Poland and now based in the United States, she transformed her own struggles with depression and Hashimoto’s disease into a mission to help others heal through conscious breathing. Marta works internationally with individuals, couples, and corporate groups, guiding them to release emotional tension, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with inner peace. Her work combines science, spirituality, and self-awareness, reminding us that every breath is a doorway to transformation.
