How heavy is your life's backpack?

And so we carry the burden of our deeds in this life. It's our choice though, how much you want to carry.

This was my first backpacking travel and I learnt something that I could relate to life. I have this 50L trek backpack, which I stuffed with everything I thought I needed, making it about 15kgs. (Used to the trekking style of packing, I had forgotten that here I will be in the civilization, so I really did not need "backups"). Anyway, I end up in the hostels where I meet quite a few folks who were just carrying. Normal dtapack of about 20-25L max for 3-4 weeks of trip.

And I was like "WTF!"

One of them gave a wise tip. She said, choose a small backpack. The smaller the bag, the lesser you will carry because you will stuff only what it can hold.

I truly felt those words apply to our lives. Why should we carry the burden of memories with us that isn't essential? All that guilt, that remorse, that anger, that revenge, that hatred, that jealousy which are like heavy weight items in your backpack. Although they don't take space, they weigh you down. Instead just fill it with all those happy, good, romantic, sweet emotional memories, which are lightweight, you can stuff as many as you like, but they won't be a burden on you.

My goal for next year road travel is to carry a small backpack. Life does not need so many backup options, that extra pair of jeans, extra jacket etc.. you will find a helping hand on the way, you will find some alternative along the journey.

So this year, take something off that emotional baggage of yours. You don't need it for next year. Make space for something new. You decide how much you want to bear the weight of past and how much it's worth. Remember there are people carrying smaller and smaller backpacks, their life has seen as much or much more than you. The choice is truly yours.

Travel light.

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