Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Letting Go of Emotional Baggage

As spring awakens the world with its vibrant bloom, I find myself reflecting on loved ones who have passed. With each new flower that blossoms, I wonder if they are saying hello, reminding us that life is precious and should never be wasted.

It often takes tragedy or the death of a loved one to shake us awake and make us see how fragile life really is. In those moments, we solemnly promise to ourselves to start truly living rather than merely existing. We savor life and the joy of being alive for a while, but daily routines and responsibilities inevitably take over, and we forget that vow.

There's an old cliché: "Live as if today were your last." While inspiring, this is not always practical. We have bills to pay, jobs to keep, kids to raise, and obligations to fulfill. The challenge is not to let these responsibilities overshadow the joy of living. It's about finding a balance, about learning to live fully without waiting for death to remind us of what's important.

Why does death have such power over us? Is it the reminder of our mortality or the uncertainty of what comes next? We all know that death is a part of life, yet many of us (myself included) waste precious time clinging to anger, resentment, and bitterness. Why is it so difficult to let go? Perhaps one of the hardest things we will ever do in life is release the emotional baggage we carry.

I've battled mental health struggles all my life. Growing up, mental health wasn't openly discussed, and the emotional burdens I accumulated as a child were never addressed. These burdens included feelings of inadequacy, fear of abandonment, and a deep sense of unworthiness. By the time I reached my teenage years, those burdens grew heavier, intrusive thoughts became routine, and at times, I questioned if I wanted to keep going. The sorrow I felt and the toll of those emotions that I carried affected my mental health and the choices I made in life. I didn't seek help until my forties, and while I can blame my circumstances, I also hold myself accountable for not taking that step sooner.

We all carry emotional baggage, and over time, it becomes exhausting. The only way to lighten the load is through acceptance and forgiveness, which starts with ourselves. If we refuse to let go or get help for our baggage, resentment and grudges take root, weighing us down even more. Yet, the sad truth is that holding onto pain often feels easier than confronting it. Releasing baggage requires revisiting past wounds, facing hard truths, and enduring emotional discomfort. I know for myself, at the time, I thought I could learn to live with it without confronting it, but I found myself trapped in a cycle of pain.

I finally realized that emotional baggage doesn't disappear on its own. I had to take a hard look in the mirror and dive into self-reflection. After that, I had to hold myself and others accountable for choices that created the baggage, and most importantly, I had to want to heal for myself and no one else. Once I had the proper mindset, I needed the tools to work towards the healing process. For instance, journaling about past experiences, confronting those who have harmed us, practicing mindfulness to stay present, and seeking professional help can be practical tools to light our emotional baggage. Still, we must accept that we may never get answers to the "why question," meaning why the baggage was created. 

The sad reality is some people think carrying emotional baggage may seem more manageable because it's familiar (I know I felt so at one point in my life). However, unburdening ourselves of our baggage is where true freedom lies. Yet, it takes work. Revisiting the past, addressing unresolved emotions, admitting our mistakes, and facing the pain that lingers in our triggers is a huge task. This process is daunting, but it's necessary for growth. I've learned that healing is not about forgetting or erasing pain; it's about learning to live alongside it without allowing it to control us. 

Growing up, teachers and television told me I could be anything and that the world was my oyster. What they failed to mention was that life would always come with baggage. To live fully is to embrace our passions while carrying our negative experiences. To love is to share life with someone.... along with our emotional baggage and theirs. To grow is to acknowledge our mistakes and move forward despite our baggage. To accept life as it is means making peace with the weight we bear rather than pretending it doesn't exist.

Success and failure do not erase our baggage; they shape how we carry it. If we think that our burdens and baggage will disappear one day, we will be waiting forever. For those who suffer from mental health issues, our mission statement should be: we will not allow our emotional baggage to dictate our actions or limit our potential. The most successful people are not those without baggage but those who have learned to carry them with grace and resilience, facing life's challenges with courage and determination.

Life holds both joy and sorrow. To truly live, we must embrace both. Moments of happiness sustain us through times of grief, and we often need guidance to navigate these challenges. This guidance can come from friends, family, or professional therapists, and it can help us process our emotions and learn from our experiences. If we fail to process life's hardships, they solidify into the baggage we carry. Healing is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event.

Life is fleeting. We don't want to reach the end, still shackled by the past. We must seek healing, ask for help, and let go of what no longer serves us. We owe it to ourselves to live; we don't have to see someone die to start truly living. Each day offers an opportunity to lighten our load, embrace our experiences, and walk forward with purpose and peace. Remember, seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a courageous step towards healing. You are not alone in this journey.