I’ve never been one to travel light.

Believe me, I’ve tried. I’ve tried to pare it down, keep it simple; but ever since I took the Pathfinders pledge to “be prepared,” I’ve taken that to heart. So, here I am, ready for anything: baby showers, weddings, dinner invites, even a spontaneous skydive (though heights terrify me). If there’s a dinner, I have my best dress and shoes packed. A girl’s gotta be prepared, right?

Truth is, I love to travel. But honestly, there’s a lot about it I don’t understand. Why don’t they make the whole plane out of the same material as the black box? How does a plane fly so perfectly with only one engine? I have a lot of questions about travel. But one thing I know for sure? I don’t know how to pack light.

I always have chocolate bars tucked away, at least three pairs of shoes, and rain gear, just in case. I pack heavy jackets for the cold and plenty of light clothes for when the sun decides to show off. Chronic over-packer? Guilty as charged. I may not need half of it, but hey, it’s a woman’s thing!

And then there’s solo travel; I don’t do it. I like having people around, even on a journey. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) won’t let me do otherwise.

Still, there’s something to be said for learning how to let go. I know what you’re probably thinking: “Just relax Lydia! Traveling light is freeing. Why lug around all that stuff?”

And sure, I get it. But here’s the thing, packing light isn’t just a suitcase struggle. It’s something we all struggle with. Think about it. Haven’t you been known to pick up a few extra “bags” along the way, too?

Didn’t you pick some bags today? I’d bet that somewhere between stepping out of bed and stepping out the door, you gathered up a few pieces of emotional luggage. Maybe a suitcase of guilt, a carry-on of discontent, or a bag of self-doubt. These aren’t physical bags, but burdens we carry around every day without even realizing it. They’re not made of leather; they’re made of old feelings, fears, and worries.

We’ve all done it: a bit of guilt over one shoulder, a sack of weariness on the other, a backpack of doubt, maybe even an overnight bag of loneliness and a trunk of fear. Pretty soon, we’re pulling more emotional weight than we can handle. And it’s exhausting.

So today, here’s my challenge for both of us: Set it down. Let go of the unnecessary burdens. Just like that extra jacket or pair of shoes I don’t need to bring, there are things you don’t need to carry, either.

I might be exaggerating a bit about my packing habits, but I’m not exaggerating this: life is so much lighter without those mountains of mental luggage. Tomorrow, when you start to pick up those familiar burdens, remember to set them down. Do it again and again until, one day, you realize you’re not picking them up at all.

Let go of the baggage that weighs you down. You’ll be amazed at how much lighter life feels without it. Let go of the baggage-of-self that you insist on lugging around with you everywhere-It is empty and serves you not.

Go.

Unpack.

Travel light.

Worth a try, don’t you think?