“Every step you take feels heavier, not because the journey is impossible, but because your backpack is filled with things you didn’t choose to carry.”
We’re all carrying a load through life—a collection of beliefs, responsibilities, and expectations.
Some of it strengthens us. Some of it weighs us down. But how much of that weight is truly ours? How much comes from societal norms, inherited expectations, or the silent fear of stepping outside the lines? Most people don’t stop to question it. Instead, they keep climbing, believing the heaviness is normal.
The truth is, much of what we carry doesn’t belong to us—it was handed to us by others, and we accepted it without realizing the cost. I shared this idea earlier this week in Why You Feel Stuck, where I explored how societal expectations quietly dictate our paths.
These beliefs often feel like chains disguised as guidance.
This idea of carrying unnecessary weight has echoed across my reflections this week.
Think about the silent expectations of others—the ones that tell you to chase certainty, stability, and safety. They whisper that a steady job, a pension, and a predictable life are the markers of success. But whose version of success is that?
It reminds me of my time leaving the military. On paper, it was the ideal path: stability, income, honor, and structure. But the weight I carried wasn’t mine—it was society’s & my father’s belief that security equals happiness. He was also in the military and because he had such a great time, he wanted me to have the same experience.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic experience and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without that experience but it had run its course. Letting go of that belief was terrifying. But once I did, the backpack got lighter, and I started filling it with things that aligned with me.
This mirrors the sentiment I shared in The Weight of Uncertainty.
Uncertainty followed me out the door, but instead of running from it, I learned to sit with it. That discomfort became my teacher. It taught me that freedom isn’t found in avoiding the unknown—it’s found in facing it.
We all arrive at a moment in life where we must choose between two roads:
- The path of comfort, where the weight of societal norms feels familiar and safe.
- The path of curiosity, where we take off the backpack and decide what truly belongs in it.
This choice reflects a deeper truth: success isn’t one-size-fits-all.
We often chase external milestones—titles, salaries, approval—thinking they’ll make us whole. But those markers of success are often the weights holding us back. This is the idea behind Defining Success on Your Terms. It’s about challenging the idea that life is a race to meet someone else’s milestones and realizing that true success starts when you redefine it for yourself.
Reflecting on this, I thought about the tension between what society tells us to want and what we truly desire.
The posts I shared this week touched on these overlapping ideas:
- Why we feel stuck: because we’re trying to carry someone else’s expectations.
- The power of uncertainty: because stepping into the unknown is the only way to find clarity.
- The redefinition of success: because life is not a race to meet someone else’s milestones.
- The courage to think differently: because only by questioning everything can we uncover our truth.
In The Power of Uncommon Thinking, I discussed how stepping outside the norm isn’t about rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It’s about curiosity and self-discovery. These moments define the uncommon life.
Here’s how you can start unpacking and realigning your life:
- Identify the Weights:
Spend 10 minutes reflecting on what you’re carrying. Write down every responsibility, belief, and expectation that feels heavy. Then ask: Is this truly mine? - Embrace Uncertainty:
Accept that discomfort isn’t something to avoid—it’s a sign you’re growing. Each time you step into the unknown, you get closer to discovering what matters to you. - Redefine Success: Take time to write your own definition of success. What does it look like? What does it feel like? If it doesn’t align with your current path, it’s time to adjust.
“The uncommon life begins when you stop carrying what isn’t yours. It’s not about rebellion—it’s about curiosity. It’s about taking off the weight of expectations and filling your backpack with purpose, clarity, and intention.”
Uncertainty will always be part of the journey, but it doesn’t have to be a burden. With every step, you get to choose what you carry. So I ask you:
What will you leave behind today?
– David
