While traveling, I avoid carrying extra weight as I prefer to travel light. Similarly, even you might like to roam around freely without carrying any extra physical baggage. But are you really going around without any baggage? Take a few moments and think about it.

Sometimes the extra baggage is not only about physical things. As you travel through the journey of life, you are bound to carry some emotional baggage with you. We all have emotional baggage. Some of you may have three suitcases full of heavy things, while others might have a small one.

What exactly is Emotional Baggage?

Simply put, emotional baggage is a set of insecurities and inhibitions that have developed over the course of our lives. Our childhood, family background, painful or difficult experiences in personal relationships with romantic partners, friends, or even coworkers may all be causes of our baggage.

With all of the struggles that we have been facing, we gained even more emotional weight in 2020. We have packed even more rocks into our backpacks. Right now, it’s REALLY heavy. And that is taking a toll on lots of people. However, the level of severity varies from person to person.

How heavy is the glass of water?

If you try to hold a glass of water for a minute or two, it would be fairly light and easy. If you hold it for hours, it might make your arm ache a little. If you try to hold it for a day straight, you might experience serious cramps and might feel numb and paralyzed.

In each scenario, the weight of the glass or water doesn’t change. The longer you try to hold it, the heavier it will feel to you.

The analogy rightly explains how emotional baggage can create problems for you. The longer you hold your emotional problems, the heavier it might feel, and eventually, everything will spill out.

How can you keep the water from overflowing?

You have the choice. You have to decide that it’s time to lose some weight of emotional baggage.

Take a few moments and imagine that you are carrying a backpack. Feel the straps of your backpack on your shoulders. Now, try to fill it with all the people who have impacted your life. Fill it with all the events, things, conversations, secrets, arguments, etc. you had with those people. Feel how heavy the bag is now.

Do you feel like it is too heavy and trying to cut your shoulder? If Yes, then you need to unload all the excess baggage.

Letting go of baggage can be scary. To make the process easy, I will be providing you with some tips which can help you in the processing of losing emotional weight.

Are you ready to unpack?

Acknowledge it.

Identify, acknowledge, and be honest about your triggers and emotions. The more attention you pay to how you react to things, the more you would be able to control the reactions and what triggers them.

Accept and be kind to yourself.

Everyone carries some emotional baggage which varies in intensity. There is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of about this. You need to accept it and remember that the past can not be changed. You have the power to choose to do something that takes you forward in life.

Take a break and give it time.

It is crucial for you to know that letting go of that baggage is a process and is not a quick fix. If you feel that dealing with emotions is getting overwhelming for you, give yourself some time and space. You can go for a walk or take some deep breaths. Once you have cleared your mind, you would be better able to handle and deal with your emotions.

Forgive.

‘When you forgive, you in no way change the past, but you sure do change the future’– Bernard Meltzer.

Try to forgive people who are the reason behind the baggage that you are carrying. Letting go and forgiving self and people for the mistakes done in the past can be central to moving forward.

Focus on self-care.

While dealing with emotional baggage, self-care can become your best friend and the first step in nurturing yourself. Get a good amount of sleep, pamper yourself with at-home massages or spas with scented candles and music. Rest, Relax, and don't feel guilty. You need it!

Consider getting help.

Sometimes, dealing with the baggage can become overwhelming. Other times, you might not know how to deal with it. In such scenarios, you need a trained professional who can help you understand what you are feeling and provide you with a safe place to freely express yourself.

Conclusion

Remember that unloading the backpack is only part of the equation. After it is emptied to a reasonable amount, you'll need to keep working to keep it from being overloaded full again.

You might take time to let go, heal, and recover. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and taking time to heal is not a failure. To face one's fears and sorrows requires a great deal of bravery and commitment. But, in the end, it will all be worth it.

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Are you ready to travel light?