The Backpack Effect: Why You’re Exhausted Before the Climb

Imagine you’re standing at the base of a mountain, ready for the climb. The view at the top promises everything you’ve been craving - clarity, freedom, alignment.

But before you take the first step, you sling a heavy backpack over your shoulders. Inside? Rocks you didn’t even realize you packed:

• The expectation to keep proving yourself.

• The guilt of leaving behind what you’ve outgrown.

• The fear of disappointing people who cheered for your old path.

You start climbing. And every step feels harder than it should. Not because the mountain is impossible, but because of what you’re carrying.

WHAT

I call this The Backpack Effect:

• The climb (your next chapter) isn’t what’s exhausting you.

• It’s the unnecessary weight you’ve been hauling for years.

Those rocks look like:

• “I can’t let go of this title, it defines me.”

• “I’ve invested too much to change now.”

• “What will they think if I choose differently?”

WHY

Why do we keep carrying what no longer serves us?

• Loss Aversion: We fear losing what we’ve built even if it’s misaligned.

• Social Proof Pressure: High achievers are conditioned to seek validation through status and achievement.

• Identity Anchoring: We cling to old versions of ourselves because reinvention feels like erasing who we were.

But here’s the truth: You can’t climb with a backpack full of rocks.

HOW

Run a Mental Backpack Audit before your next big move:

1. Empty the bag. Write down everything you feel responsible for - titles, expectations, old goals.

2. Sort the rocks. Ask: Does this still serve who I’m becoming?

3. Lighten the load. Release what’s rooted in fear, guilt, or other people’s opinions.

4. Pack with intention. Keep only what aligns with your values and vision.

5. Start the climb lighter. Notice how much easier bold moves feel when you’re not carrying unnecessary weight.

What’s one “rock” you’ve been carrying that you’re ready to put down?

If you’re ready to lighten the load before your next climb, let’s talk.

I offer a 20-minute intro conversation to explore what alignment could look like for your next chapter.
Book your 20-min intro → Click Here

Until next week,

Jaspreet