How to Release ‘Emotional Baggage’ and the Tension That Goes with It?

| Awareness

How to Release ‘Emotional Baggage’ and the Tension That Goes with It?

 

We all carry emotional baggage to some extent. It's the accumulation of past experiences, traumas, and unresolved feelings that could weigh us down and affect our present lives. The way we declutter our physical spaces, so should we declutter our emotional baggage from the past. The baggage may be preventing us from living our best lives and feeling joy at its fullest. There is hope; emotional baggage can be released, and you can learn to live a better, happier life. In this blog, let's talk about how you can release this emotional baggage and trapped emotions. 

 

emotional baggage and tension

 

Understanding Emotional Baggage


Do you feel like you are not the same person you were before any trauma you might have been through in life? Or the life does not feel as joyous as it used to be and you feel like losing interest in things that used to light you up. Chances are you might need to review your past traumas and release any emotional baggage and tension that might be stored in your body. Your past traumas could live on with you, and you might not be aware of it.

A passage from the book “The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk explains the concept of living with the past. 

“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort.” 

 

Introspection and Reflection 


The first step is identifying your emotional baggage. It all starts with identifying and introspection. Sit with yourself, take your time, and observe any pattern in your life that may be sabotaging you. Ask yourself questions and see where the patterns are coming from. Once you know your baggage, you can start your journey towards healing. The patterns may be coming from any recent experience you may have or it can date back to your childhood. 

 

Acceptance


Once you start understanding your patterns and the effects your past traumas may have on you, you may start to feel emotions like anger or resentment. You deserved better, and what happened to you was not your fault. Validate the emotions that you are feeling right now and accept what happened in the past. Acceptance can be hard, but it, too is a crucial step as it releases the resistance toward healing. 

 

emotional baggage and tension

 

Healing


Healing happens when you allow your emotions and thoughts to be. The urge to suppress and avoid difficult emotions may delay your healing process. Allow yourself to feel any anger, resentment, or anxiety. Allow your anxious thoughts to be. Let them come and go like waves without any judgment and the need to control them. 

Allowing yourself to feel, understand, and release can gradually bring you peace and restoration. Your body is wise. Trust in the wisdom of your emotions and the resilience of your spirit as you navigate the difficult path toward healing and wholeness.

Moreover, incorporate healing activities that make you feel grounded and safe in the present moment. It involves reclaiming any hobbies that you may have. Reading, journaling, art therapy, and spending time in nature can help you heal and connect the deeper parts of yourself. 

 

Seek Help


When you are struggling to release something from the past, it’s okay to ask for help. You can seek help from a professional therapist or from friends and family. You do not have to go through it all alone. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Remember, you deserve love and support from your loved ones. 

 

Conclusion


In conclusion, the past trauma might not be your fault, but healing is your responsibility. Healing and releasing your trapped emotions can be a difficult journey requiring patience and consistency. But it is possible to live a happier, fulfilling life despite the trauma you may have been through. Your traumas may be holding you back, and it's time to release them, reclaiming the freedom you deserve. 

 

emotional baggage and tension

 

FAQs


1. What is emotional baggage?


Emotional baggage refers to unresolved feelings, past experiences, or traumas that we carry with us and that affect our present emotions and behaviors.

 

2. How does emotional baggage affect us?


Emotional baggage can weigh us down, leading to feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger. It can also impact our relationships and prevent us from living fully in the present.

 

3. How do I know if I have emotional baggage?


A: If you find yourself experiencing recurring negative emotions, struggling with unresolved issues from the past, or feeling stuck in certain patterns of behavior, you may be carrying emotional baggage.

 

4. Is it possible to release emotional baggage?


Yes, it is possible to release emotional baggage through self-awareness, self-expression, and healing practices such as therapy, meditation, or journaling.

 

5. How long does it take to release emotional baggage?


A: The time it takes to release emotional baggage varies for each person and depends on different factors, such as the depth of the trauma and the individual's commitment to healing. It's a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.