Reducing Emotional Baggage?

[Huey]

Tim uses this phrase a couple of times in the book. He says when he left for his London trip he started "reducing his emotional and physical baggage." It´s also a sub-heading in the recommended reading section.

Can anybody help me clearly define 'emotional baggage'?

Is it negative beliefs about the world or other people? Grudges or bitterness about past events? Critical or negative people you don't want to be around any more?

I've had great success reducing my 'physical baggage' since reading the book (less stress, minimalist home, more time ect.) but I would like practical examples of reducing the 'emotional baggage'.

I really appreciate everybody's input on this.
Thanks guys

[phil]

Perhaps letting go of reading/caring about the news, as I don't let it affect me emotionally.

And also selling a favorite car that I built, for example, is mostly emotional, and then physical.

Could also be with toxic relationships.

Letting go of your egoic mind (Eckart Tolle).

Letting go of fear.

[Mfree]

I like looking from this side:

- letting go of the belief you can't do big things (unrealistic) :eek:
- 80/20 rule and prioritising as confronting important but emotionally uncomfortable tasks - doing them, frees you up :)
- also when clutter clearing (a car in the previous posting for ex.). Emotions tied in with objects you were used to, but no longer need
- productivity and effectiveness vs. unhealthy socializing (have to say no sometimes)

I would also add that building emotional life that supports you is equaly important as dropping the baggage of the unhealthy one.

[liam75005]

I guess it's about letting go of your attachment for the material things you have, the souvenirs you brought from trips etc...

[A Hill]

Here is a blog post I enjoyed by Colin over at Exile Lifestyle. He hosted a "Shred Party" it is a bit extreme but is interesting to say the least. He has got his possessions down to 72 or so items.

http://exilelifestyle.com/minimalism/throw-shred-party/

-Andrew

[xen911]

Maybe I'm projecting, but usually emotional baggage could better be termed "relationship baggage".

In Tim's case, for instance, he was probably thinking mostly of trying to release the frustrations of his breakup with his then long-term girlfriend. In other cases, it may be relationships with parents, a spouse, or a friend, or, as others have suggested, simply hanging on to old ideas or "programming".

[troybakes]

i can help you with that if you'd like. get in touch anytime. or jump on my website
IMO emotional baggage can be any type of jadedness someone is going through or they feel is holding them back from being productive.

[bodklb]

Tim uses this phrase a couple of times in the book. He says when he left for his London trip he started "reducing his emotional and physical baggage." It´s also a sub-heading in the recommended reading section.


I read somewhere that Tim's emotional baggage stemmed from him breaking up with a long term girlfriend and he traveled to get over it.

I'm going through something similar.

Can anyone else offer some insight into this and how Tim (etc) overcame it?

[liam75005]

Something I usually say to my friends in this case is that they still exist as a person : they were existing before their relationship and they still continue to exist as a person (instead of as a couple).

You now are back to your very own self and can use that time to do the things you like and enjoy, instead of compromising to do things "together". Go back to this former self, while learning and growing from this story.

I hope it helps,