Middle school teacher hung bag full of notes in classroom after summer break–the reason made her an internet sensation

All of us carry an emotional heaviness in our hearts and weights on our shoulders that we often don't express or share with others. These silent thoughts only end up eating us inside, but one thing that brings peace and reassurance is that we aren't alone. And a middle school teacher in Oklahoma, Karen Wunderlich Loewe, recently proved this through a new activity called 'The Baggage Activity.' She posted about the activity and the impact it had on a Facebook post.

Loewe explained the activity in the caption, "I asked the kids what it meant to have baggage and they mostly said it was hurtful stuff you carry around on your shoulders." She further talks about how the children were required to "write down on a piece of paper what was bothering them, what was heavy on their heart, and what was hurting them." Complete anonymity was also maintained during this task, where the kids were not asked to write their names and only mention what negative thought was lingering on their minds, and then proceed to crumple these papers and throw them away in a corner. 

Each student was then asked to pick up any random crushed paper and read out what their classmate had written. Loewe even asked if the person who wrote the message wanted to share their thoughts, as an attempt to offer emotional support to the child. Sometimes the children stood up to talk about their baggage in detail, sometimes not. But every time, one thing was guaranteed — the room would fall silent, and everyone would listen with empathy and respect. She continues with the kind of messages the children had written, "Things like suicide, parents in prison, drugs in their family, being left by their parents, death, cancer, losing pets (one said their gerbil died cause it was fat, we giggled ) and on and on." 

Loewe shared that while this task was "emotionally draining," with kids crying as they read the messages out loud in the classroom, and even shared their own stories, it also created a powerful space for connection and healing. She hopes that with this activity, children will realize that they are not alone in their struggles and learn to "judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster." Lastly, she shares how the bag now hangs by her door as a daily, subtle reminder that every single one of us is fighting a battle we can't see. 

Countless internet users came forward to share their appreciation regarding the activity and filled the comment section of the post with warm messages. Shelby Kays wrote, "This is amazing, you are an amazing teacher." Gladys Reeves exclaimed, "You are truly a blessing to those sweet kids. Bless you all this year." Elizabeth Thaxton Fogarty commented, "And I'm crying just reading this! What a powerful exercise!" Lori Fulton shared, "Omg! I cried reading that! So often we just try and forget those things really happen every day all around us."

Follow Karen Wunderlich Loewe on her Facebook account for more content on teaching.