Manage Your Life

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Emotional baggage and what you can do

Let’s face it:  All of us have emotional “baggage.”  Each of our “bags” differs from other people’s, but whether or not we like to admit it…we all have it.  “Baggage” makes us who we are.  Without it, many of us wouldn’t have our “quirks,” our endearing qualities or our unique perspectives.  At the same time, however, “baggage” can cause us to have “issues” that we have to grapple with for the long-haul.

Although most of our “baggage” is far from humorous, it is easy to find the humor in the analogy.  Granted, the order in which we experience the following during travel may not be accurate, but the concepts sure do ring true!

1. Check Your Bags: Do you want to carry your “baggage” with you wherever you go?  Or, would you rather check it, so that you can be free from it until you need it?

  • Real Life Takeaway: If you know or accept that you have “baggage,” decide what you’d like to do about it.  Some of our “baggage” will stay with us for the rest of our lives, but, more likely than not, we can work through a lot of it so that we only have to deal with it when we need to.

2. Baggage Claim: Leaving your “baggage” at baggage claim makes travel difficult.   After all, you can’t travel without your bags!

  • Real Life Takeaway: Sure, we may not like our less-than-perfect past.  But denying that it exists or pretending it isn’t part of our make-up, only causes it to resurface in very distasteful ways.  Instead, acknowledge that the “baggage” in your life exists and accept that it has a role in making you who you are.  Embrace how it has molded you and come to terms with the fact that, whether you like it or not, it is part of you.

3. Baggage Carousel: If you don’t pick your baggage up from the carousel, it will continue to go round and round…and you will never leave the airport.

  • Real Life Takeaway: If you ignore your “baggage,” it will always be there and you will be going in circles throughout life.  Further, you will never progress into new terrain!  Take your “baggage” off the carousel so that you can move onto better things.

4. Baggage Handlers: When your “baggage” is too big and cumbersome, it is especially helpful to have a professional “baggage” handler help you.

  • Real Life Takeaway: Consider counseling for especially difficult to handle situations or personal history.  Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and social workers are all professionals who can help you work through the hardships and unhealthy aspects of your past.

5. Baggage Screening: Although your “baggage” may be sealed up tight, people will still be able to see that there is stuff inside.

  • Real Life Takeaway: Although people may not always know what your “baggage” is, they still can tell it is there.  Being self-aware and acknowledging your issues will make it much easier to help others understand you and where you are coming from.

6. Lost Baggage: When you lose “baggage,” inevitably you will get it back.

  • Real Life Takeaway: Unfortunately, as you go through life, you may find people who have a knack for helping old habits resurface.  This can lead to toxic relationships or worse, history repeating itself.  If possible, don’t let old “baggage,” even disguised as new, come back over and over again.

6. Keep Your Baggage Unique: If you choose “baggage” that looks like everyone else’s, you will find it difficult to find your own.

  • Real Life Takeaway: It is really easy to find other people who suffer from the same “baggage.”  After all, you can relate to one another.  However, it can also keep you stuck in the same ruts and behaviors, never breaking free from your past.  Look for people who can help you cultivate healthier habits while letting go of those that aren’t.

Are you handling your “baggage?”



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Comments 1-6 of 6
  • Mauna's Avatar
    Posted by Mauna Mon Nov 2, 2009 6:43pm PST

    I wish all of the emotional baggage could just easily disappear, however it is not all that easy, from childhood, to reminders here and there of just how unfair life is to some...and then we get stuck, not only having to bear and try to work on our own personal emotional baggage, but everyone elses as well...So I ask, where does the luggage get lost and never found?

    Report Abuse
  • Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance's Avatar
    Posted by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance Tue Nov 3, 2009 6:17am PST

    I hear you Mauna...I don't think that ever happens.

    Report Abuse
  • __A_YAHOO_USER__'s Avatar
    Posted by __A_YAHOO_USER__ Tue Nov 3, 2009 7:53am PST

    I gave all mine to God, and it has made all the difference in the world.

    For my whole life I carried around abuse from an alcoholic mother, sexual abuse from two different uncles and from those experiences moved on to abusing myself through drugs, baggage from having an abortion. My life felt truly unbearable for such a long time.

    But when I finally opened my heart to God and gave my life to Him, I found a peace that I never believed was possible.

    I know how cheesy it sounds and I know that when someone isn't ready to hear that God can and will take it from you it just sounds like a whackadoo proselytizing, but The freedom found in a relationship with God is well worth other people thinking you're a nutjob.

    Report Abuse
  • classicalmuzclovr's Avatar
    Posted by classicalmuzclovr Tue Nov 3, 2009 4:38pm PST

    DUMP It!

    Baggage that is...

    I try hard not to dwell on the bad in my life.

    True, it isn't always easy.... but I try to let baggage go, so that it doesn't weigh me down....pun intended....

    Report Abuse
  • Sharon's Avatar
    Posted by Sharon Tue Nov 3, 2009 10:17pm PST

    Sorting and getting rid of baggage is a lot of work! But, your heart and your back will be much healthier and happier!!!! Thank you, Brett!

    Report Abuse
  • Techno Broke's Avatar
    Posted by Techno Broke Thu Nov 5, 2009 12:46pm PST

    It is very interesting that you can ask a person if he/she is straight, don't smoke, regilious, if you are HIV + or not, but nobody asks the question:

    "Are you a dozen roses, that have been held by someone driving real fast. Hanging you out the window and dragged across the ground?

    Now, are all your rose pedals still in tact? Or broken off?"

    Key here is, we all have been through something. You live and learn, but remember not to make the next person pay for whatever happened in the past and don't hide what happened, because it will resurface.

    Report Abuse
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