We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Emotional Baggage?

Daniel Liden
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,288
Share

"Emotional baggage" is a general term used to refer to the unresolved emotional issues, usually relating to interpersonal relationships, that one has not been able to advance past. The image of "baggage" is based on the notion that an individual carries these past emotional issues around through different stages in one's life, much as a traveler carries physical baggage. Emotional baggage often causes instability in one's emotional states and an inability to find comfort and satisfaction in relationships, romantic or otherwise. Past disappointments or traumatic experiences, even those that occurred many years before, can lead to discomfort and insecurity as they are carried around unresolved. While it can be difficult to completely relieve the burden of emotional baggage, time, therapy, and support from friends and family can greatly help one to move forward to overcome or resolved the issues.

For some people, emotional baggage serves as a defense mechanism that protects them from repeating past traumas or mistakes. An individual who was abused as a child, for instance, may feel instinctive discomfort toward people similar to the past abuser. Even though baggage can serve a defensive function, it can also inhibit the development of healthy relationships. A man who dated an unfaithful woman, for example, may find it difficult to develop a meaningful relationship with another woman in the future because of baggage relating to the earlier romantic relationship.

The presence of substantial emotional baggage often leads to the development of behaviors that are based on past emotional events rather than on present circumstances. Emotional baggage can lead people to project their doubts and insecurities on others in a somewhat paranoid manner. It can also lead to the development of expectations based entirely on past events. This is particularly noticeable in romantic relationships. Someone who suffers a betrayal in a romantic relationship may come to expect similar betrayal in any future relationship whether or not there is reason to expect it.

While many people who carry some emotional baggage are able to build and maintain healthy relationships, others find such baggage to be emotionally and socially crippling. In such cases, it may be beneficial to see a therapist for help working though such issues. In some cases, identifying the precise origins of one's emotional baggage is all it takes to move past it. Recognizing that the distrust is not based on any present circumstance but is, instead, based on a past emotional trauma may help one to get over the mistrust. In other cases, no amount of therapy will be able to relieve the burden of such baggage, but a therapist may be able to offer advice for living with it.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Daniel Liden
By Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to his work. With a diverse academic background, he crafts compelling content on complex subjects, showcasing his ability to effectively communicate intricate ideas. He is skilled at understanding and connecting with target audiences, making him a valuable contributor.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Reminiscence — On Feb 04, 2015

My childhood was pretty rough, since my parents were divorced and I spent time shuttling between two different families. Some of my older siblings used to do some mean things, and I grew up feeling very defensive. I created an elaborate fantasy world to cope with my situation. In a way, all of that emotional baggage kept me from becoming a more mature adult. I'm still a "class clown", and I rarely take anything seriously.

I know I should probably do something about my emotional problems, but it's not easy to find therapists who are affordable. I have pursued some free counseling with a pastor, but I have a feeling that my childhood experiences and personality disorders may be more than he can handle.

By RocketLanch8 — On Feb 03, 2015

I believe it took me about three or four years to finally recover from a really bad breakup in my early 20s. I was definitely in love with this woman, but she really didn't share those feelings towards me. I wanted to believe the relationship was mutual and headed towards marriage, but I became blind to what she was really trying to tell me. She wanted out of the relationship months before I finally got on that same page.

I carried around a lot of emotional baggage after we finally broke up. I would meet women at bars or at work and get really close to asking them out, but then stop myself. I wasn't going to pursue any romantic relationship unless I was absolutely convinced the other person was genuinely interested in me. I kept looking for a lot of signs that I didn't get, and I probably self-sabotaged some great dating opportunities.

Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-emotional-baggage.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.