Put Down the Weight of the Past

I’ve been seeing a counselor for some time now.

I had a wonderful woman I met with when I was diagnosed with MS. She helped me feel seen and heard during some extremely heavy moments in my life.

I felt as though I got to a good mental space and stopped going.

After losing my dad unexpectedly, having our second kiddo, and postpartum hormone whirlwinds, I started seeing someone again.

The woman I worked with previously was no longer at the clinic, so I found another person to meet with.

This counselor, who will remain nameless, has helped me put down the baggage of my past.

We have peeled back so many layers of who I thought I was to reveal my tendencies. I talked about parts of myself I never even thought were “baggage” and we dove deep to see how these have built who I am and how I act today.

My past chapters are a large part of my story, but they aren’t the entire book.

So often we keep ourself limited by our past that we forget we have the ability to turn the page. We are who we are because of our previous stories. We don’t need to stay rooted in who we once were when the person we want to be exists if only we put down the baggage.

We can release the grip our past has on us to be more present in this moment.

Our past doesn’t define us. Seasons of hurt and struggle can be stepping stones for greater success. 

If you are in the thick of such a season, my heart extends to you. You aren’t alone in this. Admitting the need for professional help is extremely difficult, you are worthy of help. You are worthy of putting down the heaviness that rests on you. The world can be a lighter place if help is needed. (I thank my counselor after every visit by telling her “my world feels a lot lighter thanks to you and your help.”)

If you need a flashlight in the darkness, allow others to help.

In time, the light will creep in slowly.

The weight of the world will gradually lift off your shoulders. 

You are worthy of the life you envision.

You are worthy of letting go that which is no longer servicing you to step fully into the moment and into yourself.

You can do hard things.

You can put down the weight of the past.

You have permission to let it go. 

You have permission to be who you want to be.

Fully, unapologetically you.

TANCKS for reading.