Carrying The Trash
Written by Deb Crater, MA, LPC
Why do we carry our garbage with us? We don’t usually do it on purpose. But we stop and look. And there it is. We did it again. We brought that garbage with us. At least we recognize it for what it is, right? But what if we recognized it sooner? How many times did it have to produce a smell before we recognized it? How do we put it in it’s rightful place and not carry it forward?
What is the garbage?
Perhaps the garbage is all the lies we believe about ourselves. Maybe it’s unresolved conflict weighing us down, a habit we know we need to break, unpleasant memories we don’t want to deal with, or hurts we carry. We carry them around in garbage bags. They may feel light and barely noticeable at first, but over time they get heavier, smellier, and cause us problems. We stop and look, and wonder how it got so big, or why we are carrying it around? We become overwhelmed with how to get rid of it.
Take out the trash
Perhaps you know exactly what to do. Philippians 3:7-14 talks about the rubbish we hold on to, and how important it is to get rid of so we can move forward. You dump the garbage and go on with your day.
But perhaps you need some help. You may not even realize it’s there and need help to identify it. Maybe you’re not sure how to handle it. You may need a friend or family member to help. This is also where counseling can help. An experienced therapist can help you recognize the garbage you carry, develop a plan, and walk with you to get rid of it. You don’t have to keep carrying the trash.
Moving forward
We’ve all experienced a year like no other. How much garbage are you carrying from 2020? Do you even recognize it? What bags are too heavy? Which ones might you need help with?
I hope to take what I’ve learned from 2020 to recognize the garbage sooner. My goal is to throw it away before I end up taking it with me on my errands.
Deb and her husband Vic have embarked on day road trip adventures to over 35 nature spots across Michigan this past summer. On any given day you might find Deb in the waters off a Michigan beach looking for rocks, just like a little kid, practicing the power of play. Deb is a Licensed Professional Counselor who works with children, adolescents, and adults. She uses a broad scope of techniques with a focus on Play Therapy and trauma therapy using EMDR. Learn more here.