Whether By Force Or By Choice: Notes On The Things We Leave Behind

You can’t move forward without some semblance of disburdening.

“No matter where you go, there you are.” -Confucius

As 2023 edges toward its finale, I find myself en route:

Out from a decade in a city that has become my second home, into a couple weeks of staycation-ing in order to unwind and tie up loose ends, to finally living in a new city and kick-starting a fresh, new beginning. I’ve either disposed of or sold the physical attributes of my current abode, and have chosen to pack light: I’m taking only that which is both necessary and beneficial.

…That applies to both the physical and the mental realm.

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Several weeks ago, I posted on ‘autonomy: our birthright’. Our autonomy includes our ability to choose what is and is not necessary and beneficial for our general wellbeing- be it people, experiences, or things. We can choose what gets to come along on our journey and what is better left behind. ‘Leveling up’ and moving forward is how we elevate, but this work requires understanding that our emotional baggage gets heavy, so we must disburden what no longer serves us… not run away from it.

Vacations are nice, most certainly. As I head into a staycation, I would never pretend to underestimate the power of a mindful escape. But, I commit to this disburdening work on a daily basis. No matter where you go, you cannot run from your problems. You cannot run from yourself.

In the Blithe Health community, we disburden because it is necessary. We disburden because it is beneficial.

We keep the lessons, and dispose of all the ugly parts.

We don’t check baggage. We pack light.