Day 3: You’re Not Meant to Carry Everything

Cheryl Strayed's 'Monster' & the 'Not Now' Folder

By now, your mental landscape is clearer.

You’ve named what’s been weighing on you, and you’ve spotted the patterns beneath the clutter. And maybe you’re already feeling a little lighter.

But today, we talk about something that might not feel light at all.

We talk about letting some things go.

Because the truth is: You don’t need to carry it all.
You don’t need to chase every idea, and you definitely don’t need to feel guilty for releasing what no longer feels aligned.

Cheryl Strayed’s ‘Monster’

In her memoir ‘Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail’, Cheryl Strayed shares the story of hiking 1,100 miles alone — from the Mojave Desert in California, through Oregon, to the edge of Washington state. At the start of her journey, she packed a backpack so overloaded, that it was a nightmare just getting it onto her back, so she called it ‘Monster’.

She carried everything she thought she might possibly need, for every part of the trail ahead.

But as the miles wore on, and the terrain tested her, she began to realize:
she didn’t need much of it.
And the weight was holding her back.

Maybe this is true for us, too — in our creative work and in life.

What Are You Carrying That You Don’t Need?

If your list on Day 1 felt like Monster, you’re not alone.

So much of what we carry isn’t visible to anyone else.
🔸The pressure to be further along.
🔸The fear that we’re not doing enough.
🔸The belief that we need to master everything before we even begin.

💌 Your ‘Not Now’ Folder

Here’s something I’d love to borrow from seasoned Pacific Crest Trail hikers: They only carry what’s needed for the stretch they’re walking now.

Some even tear their guidebooks into sections, so they only carry the pages they’ll use that week — and mail the rest to trail stops further ahead.

They know they’ll need those pages later.
But not today.

What if we took the same approach with our ideas?

What if you gently packaged up everything that isn’t for this stretch of the journey, sealed it with a kiss, and mailed it to your future self?
You’re not letting it go forever.
You’re just not carrying it right now.

Because trying to hold it all now is like dragging Monster up the mountain.
Every step is heavier than it needs to be.

Sometimes we load ourselves with extra expectations, like: “I need to lose 10kg before I can hire a photographer… so that I can build my website.”

That’s a lot to carry.

How about: “I’ll get a friend to snap a few photos. I’ll pick the best one. That’s enough for now.”

And later, when your business is growing, and you need to look more professional, then you can revisit the idea of booking a professional photo shoot.

That’s the beauty of mailing something ahead.
It’s not lost. It’s simply not for this stretch of the trail.

So the question becomes:

What’s the lighter version of this thing you’ve been carrying?
And what can you gently post into the future, so that it’s not standing in the way of your progress today?

Day 3

Pull out your brain dump from day 1.

Instead of rushing into doing mode, take a deep breath and ask:

• Which of these things still feel alive — clear, energizing, and aligned with who I am right now?

• Which ideas feel like pressure, perfectionism, or performance?

• Which ones are for a different version of me — or a different season?

• Is there a lighter version of this thing I’ve been carrying?

➡️ Choose what truly belongs in this stretch of the trail.
➡️ Gently shelve the rest.

You’re not missing out.
You’re choosing what matters most for now and learning to walk lighter.

Not every idea on your list was meant to bloom right now.
Some were meant to show you something.
Some sparked curiosity or excitement in a different season of life.
And some… were never yours to carry in the first place.

How does it feel to set something aside today?
Is there relief in the release? Or sadness?

Is there a part of you that wants to carry everything — just to prove you can?

When I looked at my list and realised that it was becoming a monster, I began simplifying my own business ideas, and I was surprised at my own emotional response. I didn’t feel relief at all - I felt a wave of grief. It felt impossible to admit that I couldn’t be everything to everyone. I wanted to be able to carry it all. And I really, really did not want to have to choose.

But the truth is, trying to do it all doesn't make us more capable.
It just makes us more tired.

You’re allowed to choose, to focus & build in a way that feels spacious, not frantic. And the way we do that is by carrying less.

We’ve done a lot of looking back & looking inward. I’m so proud of you. Tomorrow we’ll choose one clear direction, and from there, every decision will get easier.

But for now:
You’ve just reclaimed a piece of your energy.

That’s worth celebrating.