Years ago, I was in a 4-year program of personal growth that stretched every part of me. Entering this program was the result of so many synchronicities, I could not deny my souls messages and signed up in trepidation. My soul was right; I really needed this program. It was deep excavation of so many things holding me back.
In preparation for one of the weekend events, we were instructed to bring a large assortment of rocks, around the size of our hand, and a backpack. So, that Friday, I brought a heavy bucketful of rocks, not knowing yet what we were up to.
I soon found out that every single rock I brought was to represent one thing in my life that was weighing me down, preventing me from moving forward. As I held each rock in my hands, I stated what heaviness in my life it represented and it was placed into the backpack.
We were then instructed to wear the backpack of rocks all weekend, not taking it off until Sunday. A plastic bag went over it in the shower. Rolling over in bed at night was a challenge with this thing on my back.
When you actually wear the extra weight of all the things you have been avoiding doing or the problems you keep complaining about, it sends a visceral message to your being. Taking those rocks out of my backpack on Sunday, was a powerful physical message to take responsibility for the things in my life that I felt were weighing me down and to do something about them. The feeling of lightness was exquisite and made me long to release some of those metaphorical rocks.
Your soul can’t help you fly until you give up what is weighing you down.
Here are 6 additional ways to release what is weighing you down, in case you don’t want to wear a backpack full of rocks for 3 days.
1. Name What You’re Carrying
You can’t let go of what you don’t acknowledge.
Take time to sit quietly and ask yourself, “What am I still carrying that no longer serves me?” Maybe it’s guilt, resentment, shame, or an old story you’ve outgrown. Write it down, speak it aloud, or express it through art or movement—naming it brings it out of the shadows and into the light of awareness.
2. Feel It Fully (Without Judgment)
Most of us were taught to suppress emotions, but what you resist, persists.
Give yourself permission to feel what’s there. Let the tears come. Let your body tremble. Let your heart speak. The energy of emotion wants to move. Feeling it with compassion—without analysis—starts to dissolve the charge it holds.
3. Forgive and Release the Old Story
Forgiveness isn’t about approving of what happened—it’s about freeing yourself from it.
Ask yourself, “Am I ready to stop letting this define me?” You can use a ritual, such as writing a letter and burning it, breathing the heaviness out with sound, or visualizing yourself cutting energetic cords to the past.
4. Reclaim Your Energy
Once you release the emotional weight, call your energy home.
Imagine gathering scattered pieces of your power back into your heart, your body, your field. Move, dance, breathe, hum—whatever helps you feel alive and grounded in the present. You’re no longer a victim of your story; you’re the author of a new one.
5. Fill the Space with Light and Intention
Every release creates a sacred space within you. Choose what you want to fill it with—peace, joy, strength, love.
Create a daily practice that nurtures this new vibration: gratitude, sound healing, meditation, time in nature, or creative expression. The new energy becomes your steady home base.
6. A Full Immersion in Sound Healing for 4 days
Sound healing is one of the most powerful ways to release old baggage and connect deeply within. Join us for the Fundamentals of Healing with Sound and Music from November 21 to 24 and feel every part of you nurtured with healing energy.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: https://www.soundwellnessinstitute.com/sw-110
In Health and Harmony,
