Walk with me. Let’s unpack the baggage life has handed you, some of it you may have packed yourself, and some may have been thrown in by others. Either way, it’s heavy, and it’s time to lighten the load.

We start by giving each piece a place to go. That might sound strange, but this process begins with honoring the experiences that have filled that bag. Telling your unfiltered story, not just the version you've rehearsed, but the raw, honest truth; begins the process of releasing and healing. I call this building the clothing rack because, metaphorically, our baggage holds our traumas, struggles, and unresolved pain like pieces of clothing we’ve been carrying for far too long.

Now, let’s unpack. Those trust issues from the ex-who betrayed you, the friend who left you stranded, the parent who broke their promises, even the times you ignored your own instincts, each one belongs somewhere. Identify what’s there, where it came from, and why it’s still with you. Feel the pain, acknowledge it, and let it go as you place each piece where it belongs. This process stops you from transferring old wounds onto new people. It helps you recognize that your baggage belongs to the experiences, not your future.

Let me ask you something: Have you ever mourned the parts of yourself that got lost along the way? Have you even noticed what’s missing? Life changes you, and sometimes, you don’t recognize who you’ve become. Maybe you don’t like everything you see, and that’s okay. Because here’s the truth: you have a choice.

Your past was created by circumstances beyond your control, your pain, your trauma, your struggles. But your future? That is built by choice.

Create represents the experiences, circumstances, and hardships placed upon you, many of which were beyond your control. Your past, your trauma, and the pain you’ve endured may have shaped you, but they do not define you. These events may have created fear, anger, or self-doubt, but they do not determine who you are or who you can become.

Build is the intentional process of reclaiming your identity, your strength, and your future. Unlike creation, which is often passive, building is an act of choice. It is where you take back control, decide how you respond, how you grow, and how you move forward.

So, who do you want to be? The world doesn’t get to decide that for you. You do. But transformation requires more than just desire. A goal without a plan is just a dream. To build the life you want, you need a clear strategy to get there.

Once the suitcase is unpacked and your story is acknowledged, you don’t have to carry it anymore. Travel light. Leave the baggage behind. Create space for what comes next, and when new challenges arise, don’t stuff them into an already overflowing bag, give them a place, process them, and move forward.

At the end of the day, a book is much easier to carry than the weight of the past.

You Build You.