‘Emotional baggage’ refers to the unresolved emotional pain that you store in your unconscious mind. These unresolved issues could manifest in extremely negative ways. In fact,one of the major causes of stress today is this emotional baggage, the suppressed emotions that fester in the body that will eventually take their toll on some aspect of our wellbeing. One of the biggest causes of stress today is all of this old baggage. So why not let it go?
Look at Life Dramas. Take a look at the recurring patterns and dramas in your life, and try to determine their root cause. It is time to recognise them, accept them and change the ones that need changing.
Would You? Could you? Deciding to let go of your emotions instead of identifying with them is more powerful than you know. Ask yourself: Would I let go? Could I let it go? And then ask yourself, When? In addition to helping you become who you truly are, letting go can free you of even long-standing problems and challenges where nothing else has worked.
Go through different stages consciously. We need to go through certain stages or phases of life in order to have a successful transition to better ones, whether it is from one relationship to another, from one lifestyle to another etc. They are:
- Declare and ending.
- Be in a neutral zone.
- Embrace a new beginning.
Emotional baggage in life builds up because we don’t move from the first step to the second and then the third. That is why we feel emotionally stuck, out of control or just afraid of the future. Letting go of the emotional baggage will involve a transition from one point to another. This transition will introduce you to the new you if you will let it.
Write to yourself. Writing down your thoughts helps them get clearer. Write anything and everything that comes to you. This frees you to get the emotions out. Don’t worry if they seem incoherent at times. Writing longhand or on a keyboard serves the same purpose, which is to clear your mind.You may find it useful to reflect later on what you were thinking before a particular event or conversation and how things changed afterwards. Don’t share your writing with anyone. This can be especially helpful for more introverted people who really aren’t comfortable letting others in on their personal thoughts and feelings. You could also email it to no one or only to yourself. Once you’re done writing and you feel some relief, delete the email permanently. Writing is cathartic. Writing can heal.
Engage in physical Activity. Many people feel great emotional relief when they do something physical. A good workout can help clear your head before or after a difficult conversation. Go for a run or a bike ride, or go swimming. If nothing else, work around the house hectically for some time till your attention is taken away from the stressful feeling or event.
Learn to be yourself, accept yourself and, if at all possible, slowly but steadily make changes toward breaking free from all that made you hold on to your emotional baggage. Shed all that emotional weight and you’ll notice that you feel much lighter, and healthier!
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