Spring cleaning, personal reflection, de-cluttering, releasing and letting go of what no longer serves us. Cleaning out the clothes cupboard, tidying the kitchen cupboards, washing curtains, dusting, de-cobwebbing the corners, pulling up the weeds, thinking about who we are, who and what has influenced us, why we are like we are, and whether we want to make any changes. Most of us will have read about the power of cleaning and de-cluttering, not just our homes and gardens, cupboards, drawers and sheds, but our emotions and our minds. Some of us will have spent time reflecting on what personal baggage we may be holding onto, and how we can rid ourselves of it. It may be something from our past. A traumatic experience from our past, that was not our fault, caused by someone else, but we are the ones suffering. Whether it is some form of abuse or bullying, we often take on board and make it our own truth. We don’t realise we are holding onto something, not of our creation. What we must remember and teach ourselves that we don’t have to be stuck in the pain and trauma of the past. We can be ourselves. It is okay to be ourselves. We are enough.

So, what is it that is holding us back, stopping us from reaching our full potential? It might be inherited baggage, just like that hideous vase of grandma’s, or grandpa’s jar of nails. We don’t want to throw it out, to do so seems disrespectful, but we have no use for it. So without meaning to, we act as our parents, our aunts and uncles did when we were growing up, or rather we act and behave in the way they conditioned us to. Many people go through life without considering why they behave and act in the way they do. Others may be stuck, knowing that they can change their behaviour, freeing themselves from the patterns of the past, but are not sure how. Sometimes we work through de-cluttering, cleansing programs and release some of the past and the pain, and think we are free, only to find that we regress. Maybe due to a trauma, words spoken, contact with dysfunctional family members. While it is important for our health and wellbeing, emotionally and physically, that we learn from and let go of the past, we don’t need to worry if it takes time, or if we have to de-clutter more than once.

Like spring cleaning our homes, it is useful to take time, as often as we need to, to reflect on our past, on why we act the ways we do. What behaviours do we have that we don’t want to continue? What can we release and let go of, to be okay? Many who suffer anxiety and depression find tremendous relief, and a lifting of a huge load, when we finally release and let go of the emotional baggage of the past.

Some people or situations may trigger old behaviour. Perfectly understandable, when we visit family or old friends, that past memories are fresh in our mind. If those past memories were not pleasant, but abusive, bullying, or negative, we may feel old feelings and emotions return. Take time to sit quietly, relax, and focus on releasing the feelings and emotions. Be kind to ourselves. It is okay to let go and release the feelings and emotions. It is not being disrespectful to other people. It is being respectful and loving to ourselves.

Many of us have experienced anxiety and depression. Others of us know people or have friends and loved ones who have experienced anxiety or depression. We tend to feel responsible when those we love are hurting. While some of it may inadvertently be our fault, we need to also spend time releasing the past pain, or we get caught in the same emotional trap and our bodies will start to suffer.

Whether we have experienced such pain, or know of someone who is, we need to remember that we are special. What we think and feel is okay, it is valid. We deserve to be happy. We deserve to be loved. We can break free of the shackles of the past. We can turn our lives around.

Set ourselves some goals. Imagine and believe in our future. We deserve the very best life has to offer.

(Dedicated to some people I know who are going through or who have gone through more than any one person should have to experience. Remember that there is a terrific future for you, full of happiness and peace, fun and love.)