FeelingGoodWithSofy

We all carry a bag in our lives. Some have a lighter one to contend with, while others, like me, have a heavier load to carry. Whether your bag is light or heavy, the weight is rarely easy to manage, and you deserve help regardless of its size. It is also true, however, that the ones pulling more within have a more complicated life history, and therefore require extra attention and care along the journey.

What’s Inside The Bag?

Each and every one of us carries a unique bag, incomparable to anyone else’s as we all have different histories and backgrounds. Inside, we carry the sum of our experiences—both the triumphs and the hardships—that have shaped our lives and continue to do so. The weight of the bag fluctuates each time we experience something good or bad. Usually, when the bag is too heavy to carry, it’s a sign we’ve been through a lot, impacting our mental wellbeing as well.

Past traumas, losses, bad experiences, a broken heart, and a difficult childhood are just some of the things we might hold inside. Of course, the content varies for every individual; you may have all of them, some of them, or none at all. It’s crucial to remember that it’s not your choice if you end up with a heavy load within.

There have been several professionals who have pointed this out to me, saying: “We have to try to remove some stones in your bag, otherwise it will get too heavy to carry.” It’s a good methaphor to explain how important it is not to let all your heavy stuff get in the way as you go about your life with your bag.

How Can We Ease the Burden of a Heavy Bag?

Acknowledging the bag is heavy is the first step; your therapist could tell you that, too. Another important reminder is that healing doesn’t happen overnight; it takes a lot of patience and self-work. I was told I needed to ease my bag several years ago, and yet here I am, still figuring out how to heal. For me, it has become an ongoing process.

If you’re alone with your heavy load, know there is help out there; you should not have to go through with it alone. When you talk and work on a painful experience with a therapist, a small stone can be released from your bag. You, too, could feel relieved—as if a part of you is finally feeling lighter.

I journal every day, and I find it to be an effective strategy to ease the pain inside. It’s like a ‘brain dump’ exercise: you write down everything that worries you or makes you feel sad. In this way, you release a part of your bag’s weight onto the paper. From there, you might also consider talking about your feelings with a trusted person.

Making Room for the Light

It’s important to recognize that not everything in our bags consists of sorrows and hardships; there is at least some light to take into consideration, too. That light is there to show you that you can keep moving forward. It eases the pain within you, even if only for a brief moment in your day.

The light you carry might be gratitude, self-compassion, or small moments of joy. Focus on this light even when you feel like you’re stumbling under the weight of your bag; honour what makes you feel good and store it inside! 🙂

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