Emotional baggage, with regard to dating specifically, is a term used to describe the hang-ups that many of us take as parting gifts from the ghosts of relationships past. Because human beings are naturally such emotional creatures, it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that most of us are lugging around some kind of emotional baggage. That baggage comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, the most common of which is probably unresolved issues with an ex. This can include issues like lingering feelings or in some cases, more permanent ties such as shared assets in the form of children or property. The thing about emotional baggage, though, is that it doesn’t take very much of it to threaten the viability of new relationships and opportunities for future happiness.

Just like airlines restrict the number of carry-on items permitted for each passenger, new romantic partners are almost always just as reluctant to accommodate someone with too much baggage. If not kept in check, emotional baggage can easily impede one’s ability to embrace the present and move forward. It is absolutely imperative for anyone that hopes to have successful dating experiences to regularly sort through emotional baggage and eliminate unnecessary weight.

Imagine that we all have a special suitcase in which to store our colorful collection of emotions from the brightest hopes and dreams to the darkest shadows of our fears. As we live our lives and move through various stages, we subconsciously collect little souvenirs of these experiences and tuck them away in our suitcases. Unfortunately, however, most people have a tendency to focus more on the negatives than on the positives. As a result, our suitcases are often filled to the brim with past hurts, disappointments and betrayals so that there is little, if any, room left over for the good stuff. Remember that positive energy yields positive results so do some Spring-cleaning if you have to but put a little sunshine into that suitcase of yours!