Put it down
On lightness, burdens, and what becomes possible when you stop — just for a moment
Being Lighter
Imagine walking up a mountain path with a heavy rucksack. Each step a great effort.
You reach a passing point, with a bench. The view expands across the valley — you can see for miles.
You sit, release your arms from the straps, and allow the bench to take your weight and that of your burdens.
In your rucksack are all your attachments. Your pain. Your fears about the pain. Your memories of how things were. Your worries about what lies ahead. Your attempts to cope, to hold it together. Your losses.
Positive and negative — but burdens nonetheless. They have weight, which you are carrying.
Until you stop, take the pack off, and rest it down.
Now breathe and be present. Take in the view. Notice the lightness.
This is not about the weight disappearing. As a pain specialist, I know how real and relentless persistent pain is. But I have watched, over many years, what happens when people discover — even once — that the carrying can pause.
That lightness is available to you.
Being Lighter
Imagine walking up a mountain path with a heavy rucksack. Each step a great effort.
You reach a passing point, with a bench. The view expands across the valley — you can see for miles.
You sit, release your arms from the straps, and allow the bench to take your weight and that of your burdens.
In your rucksack are all your attachments.
Your pain. Your fears about the pain. Your memories of how things were. Your worries about what lies ahead. Your attempts to cope, to hold it together. Your losses. Positive and negative — but burdens nonetheless. They have weight, which you are carrying.
Until you stop, take the pack off, and rest it down.
Now breathe and be present. Take in the view. Notice the lightness.
This is not about the weight disappearing. As a pain specialist, I know how real and relentless persistent pain is. But I have watched, over many years, what happens when people discover — even once — that the carrying can pause.
That lightness is available to you.
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Reflections on living well with persistent pain — grounded in pain science, written with care
This is a practice.
The rucksack will be there when you are ready. But you do not have to carry it every moment of every day.
Set it down. Rest. Take in the view.
With care,
Richmond 🕊️
Pain Specialist & Founder, Pain Coaching
richmondstace.com