During our time on Earth, we accumulate many memories and experiences, joys and pains, like souvenirs in a metaphorical backpack. As the years pass, this backpack becomes increasingly burdensome, manifesting in the physical and emotional weight we carry. The notion of aging is symbolized by our backs hunching under the weight of life, and the expression "having a lot of baggage" represents the negative heaviness that can accompany our journey. But what if we could change the narrative? What if, instead of getting weighed down by life, we could become lighter with time?
There is a beautiful quote from Paulo Coelho: “Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” This puts into words the beautiful ability we possess to unravel ourselves. Shedding the layers of experiences and expectations. To release what was placed on us since birth obscuring our true essence, and become lighter as the years roll by.
Imagine being dropped on an empty island, mountain, desert – your chosen happy place. Picture all the emotional burdens and negativity you've carried being miraculously lifted. Gone. You are left with a clean slate, free to begin anew. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and immerse yourself in the sensation of being light and unencumbered. How does your body respond to the thought? What happens in your mind?
Many people cling to their trauma as a badge of honor or use it as a justification for staying stuck. The idea of un-becoming, of letting go of ingrained identities, can be more terrifying than exhilarating. It requires confronting the fear of stepping into the unknown, where the familiar narratives that define us may no longer hold. It takes the courage and confidence for you alone to define who you are and how you want to live your life. Scary and really powerful.
Consider the weight you've been carrying. Envision a life where you can un-become the pieces that feel heavy and become the person you want to be. A life where you are not forgetting everything, but reframing the past, present and future. Where you have more agency over your life. Where you feel ready to forgive - both yourself and others. We can never fully release the weight we carry. However, we can give ourselves permission to lighten by changing our perspectives and the energy we give to experiences and thoughts that no longer resonate with us.
The concept of reversing the cycle – of unraveling and unbecoming as we age – offers a refreshing perspective. Instead of being burdened by the passage of time, we can embrace the idea that with each passing day, we have the opportunity to lighten our load. I love the idea that as I age, I can unravel and un-become who I should be or should have been and become instead who I really am. Just the thought of that allows my shoulders to relax, and my breath to soften. It also allows my mind to wander with such hope for the future.
What remains when we release the stories that have defined us? By practicing forgiveness, we reclaim a sense of empowerment. The ability to release and soften, to unravel. It provides us control over our own narratives. Enabling us to shape our lives in a way that aligns with our real selves. Embrace the opportunity rewrite your narrative. Reverse the cycle of time by not letting yourself get weighed down with life's heaviness but instead lighter with each passing day. Un-become to become you.
