Every time I open my garage door, I am greeted by a pile of boxes. I have been in my new home almost four months now, and although much has been unpacked, much still has to be done. Rather than being a big girl and dealing with them, one at a time, I continue shutting the door and being in denial that they are there. I don’t have the time, patience, or places to put things. So they sit. And sit.

I did unpack a box a month or so ago. I pulled out pictures, an empty album that needs to be filled, a few trinkets and knick-knacks. I reveled in my success of an empty box, then I stared at the things scattered on the floor around me. Where the heck do I put it all? The temptation to throw it all back in the box crossed my mind. Most of the items were placed in a temporary place, until I can find permanent homes for it all.

I have emotional boxes that need to be unpacked as well. Just like those U-Haul boxes stuffed with books and random household objects, I just close the door and pretend it’s not there. Why does worry and stress consume much of my life? Why am I feeling so sensitive and angry about some trivial thing? Just close the lid, because it’s easier than unpacking it and dealing with it.

But I know better. I have healthier ways to deal with things. Denial is a good coping mechanism for awhile, but eventually the issue comes back to bite you in the butt. Because I know this, I try to muster up the strength to deal with the issue at hand. Here are the “unpacking” techniques I have learned work well for me.

1. Journaling. I think better on paper. Some people can talk all day and express themselves well off the top of their head. I can’t do that so well. Things sort themselves out when they’re in some sort of logical order on paper. Or even when they’re still a big jumble of words that I don’t know what to do with. It’s a first step for me to admit that there is something icky that needs to be worked out.

2. Talking. Although I don’t express myself well off the cuff, I have learned that sharing my struggles with others is a big help. Even if my words make no sense and I feel totally silly for sharing them, it helps. If I have a kind, compassionate audience who is willing to listen without interruption, sometimes the sheer act of sharing the struggle is enough to loose the grip of it’s power.

3. Prayer. It’s something I don’t use often enough. I know I’m not powerful enough to deal with all the crap that goes on in my brain. It’s overwhelming. But I have a God who is more than willing to help me, if I would simply ask. I know He won’t take the struggle away, but He will give me strength to get through it.

I will continue to deal with my boxes, emotional or tangible. Perhaps the physical act of unpacking my tangible boxes will give me strength to unpack the emotional boxes as well.