The Weight Of What We Carry - A Journey to Emotional Freedom

Hello Igniters!

This issue of the Insight Igniter is an exploration into the emotional dimension of letting go and the freedom that comes with lightening our inner load. Imagine carrying a backpack—acquiring lived experiences, responsibilities, unresolved conflicts, perceived obligations and their associated emotions. Over time, your backpack gets heavy, slowing you down, you labour for a full breath and your vision becomes blurred as you strain to progress in life. Over the course of your life the weight of these burdens becomes real and profound, negatively impacting your mental health, relationships, career, and even your physical health.

Insight Igniter Coaching Question for September 9, 2024:

What do you need to let go of to feel lighter?

Consider this question as an invitation to take off your metaphorical backpack and feel the instantaneous relief. Open your backpack, take stock of what’s inside, engage in some self-reflection, and decide what to keep and what to release in the pursuit of personal and professional success.

In our personal lives, holding onto emotions like resentment, guilt, regret or disappointment can silently influence the enjoyment we experience. These emotions may be tied to past experiences, actions, inaction, relationships, or unmet expectations. In my coaching practice I have found this question helpful for those stuck in a victim narrative. While we may feel justified in carrying these emotions, we hold onto them so tightly, sometimes out of fear or out of habit. We may not realize how much they affect our self-worth, self-perceptions, our ability to forgive others or even ourselves. Asking “What do you need to let go of to feel lighter?” does not mean forgetting or ignoring these emotions or events. Instead, it creates space to make an active choice to release the control they have over us. It’s about acknowledging the discomfort, learning from it, and making peace with the past, cultivating deeper relationships and taking agency of future opportunities.

I have been working with a client who was preparing to accept a Vice President role – in their mind they had the position locked up. Together over the last several months we had been developing their big picture thinking and emotional awareness – skills they knew they would need to display during the interview process and be successful in the new role. When they told me “I didn’t get it” they were in shock – anger, frustration, and self-doubt boiled to the surface. Fast forward to a few weeks ago – they were offered a position leading a tech think tank – a role beyond their expectations. Despite this offer and acknowledgement of their professional growth it became evident they were still holding onto the negative feelings. In the professional realm, it is not uncommon for professionals to hold onto an outdated version of their career identity. This was the case for my client. As we moved through a series of coaching sessions, my client realized they had to let go of those negative feelings and learn to view not getting the Vice President role as a gift. As professionals, liberating yourself from beliefs like “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never succeed,” or “I should have gotten that position” and their associated emotions can open the door to new possibilities and empower you to move forward with confidence and optimism.

As you reflect on this week’s question, consider the lasting benefits of releasing what no longer serves you. Letting go is an act of courage. It requires vulnerability, self-awareness, and a willingness to step into the unknown. Your reward for this act is immense— your mind becomes clearer, emotions more balanced, and we become open to all of life’s possibilities. I will end this issue with a call to action. Take a moment to reflect on what emotional weights you’re carrying. Write them down. Then, ask yourself: How would my life improve if I let go of this? What steps can I take to release this burden? This process may be uncomfortable, but it’s a necessary as you seek a life fully experienced through personal and professional emotional freedom, growth and fulfillment.

Until next time – Stay Ignited!

Best,

Stef