Are You Carrying Too Much? (And How to Lighten the Load)
The Business Owner’s Overpacking Problem
I’ve gotten good at packing for trips, but it wasn’t always like that. I’ve always believed it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared. And because of my heart issues, I run cold, so layers are my best friend. Overpacking was just a way of life. Whether I was traveling for a week or a month, I’d bring it all, just in case. But dragging extra stuff around? That quickly turns into a nightmare.
We don’t just overpack our suitcases. We overpack our schedules, our obligations, and our mental load. And the worst part? We convince ourselves we have to.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve told yourself the same things:
It’s just a busy season.
I’ll say no once things settle a bit.
More work now means more security later.
But when does that actually happen? Because if we’re being honest, most of us have been carrying too much for far too long.
I used to say yes to everything—every client, project, and favor—until I realized I was juggling more than actually doing what I loved. And just like lugging an overstuffed suitcase through an airport, the weight wasn’t making me more prepared—it was just slowing me down.
I thought I was securing my future. Instead, I was exhausting my present.
And here’s what they don’t tell you: Overcommitting isn’t a strategy—it’s a symptom. A symptom of fear. A symptom of scarcity. A symptom of believing that your value is measured by how much you can carry instead of how much impact you actually make.
So, how do you start unpacking—not just your time but the mindset that got you here in the first place?
The Common Struggle: Why We Always Feel Behind
The feast-or-famine cycle isn't just about income—it’s about fear. We say yes to everything in the busy seasons because we don’t trust that rest, space, or balance will ever be an option.
And then, when things inevitably slow down, we panic. We assume we should have done more, prepared more, packed more into our schedules.
Sound familiar?
It’s not just you. A study from Freelancers Union found that 63% of freelancers worry about having enough work, even in their busiest seasons. That’s because we’ve been trained to believe that stability is something we earn through constant motion, rather than something we create through intentional choices.
But here’s the shift that changed everything for me:
More Work Does Not Equal More Stability
Just like packing more clothes doesn’t guarantee you’ll have the right outfit, overcommitting doesn’t mean you’ll have the right clients, projects, or income. In fact, it usually means the opposite.
It took me years to realize that stability isn’t created by doing more. It’s created by doing what moves you forward.
The Mindset Shift: Unpacking for Long-Term Success
Once I stopped saying yes out of fear, everything changed.
Instead of overloading my schedule, I started creating space for better opportunities. Instead of hoarding clients, I started filtering for the right ones. Instead of saying yes to everything, I started saying yes to the things that actually improved my work and life.
This shift isn’t just about doing less. It’s about building a business that fits your life—not one that takes over it.
Key Mindset Principles:
Work expands to fill the space you give it—so create boundaries, not just busyness.
Saying no is a skill, not a risk—and the right clients will respect it.
Rest is a strategy, not a luxury—because burnout is not a business plan.
The Practical System: How to Start Unpacking Today
Unpacking your time and commitments doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s where to start:
Step 1: Identify What’s Taking Up Too Much Space
Look at your current commitments. What feels heavy? What feels essential?
List the work that drains you vs. the work that energizes you.
Pick one thing to let go of this week—a low-paying client, an unnecessary obligation, or a commitment that no longer serves you.
Step 2: Say No to One Thing This Week
It doesn’t have to be big. It could be declining a request for free work, postponing a project that doesn’t fit, or choosing not to answer emails outside of work hours.
Notice what happens. Does the world end? Or do you actually feel lighter?
Step 3: Create Space for What Matters
Replace busyness with intention. What would you do if you had more space, more rest, and more time for the right opportunities?
Write it down. Then take one small step toward making it happen.
Why This Feels Hard (And What to Do About It)
Overcoming resistance and fear is the hardest part of creating a stress-free way forward. The fear of losing work, the anxiety of disappointing others, and the guilt of letting go can make it feel impossible to stop overcommitting. Here are some common obstacles we face.
The Fear of Scarcity
The Mindset Challenge: “If I stop saying yes, I won’t have enough.”
The Practical Solution: Flip the script. “If I keep saying yes to the wrong things, I’ll never have room for the right ones.”
Guilt Over Letting Go
The Mindset Challenge: “But I already committed to this.”
The Practical Solution: Check in with yourself. Is this still serving you? If not, transition out.
The Real Transformation: What Happens When You Unpack
When I stopped treating my business like an overstuffed suitcase, here’s what happened:
I stopped chasing every client and focused on attracting the right ones who valued my work and made the process enjoyable.
I finally had time for projects I actually cared about, exploring new creative ideas and allowing space for personal growth.
I felt lighter, more intentional, and in control of my business and life, cultivating the elusive work-life balance.
And the best part? Nothing bad happened when I let go.
If anything, everything got better.
Start Today: One Small Shift That Changes Everything
Pick one thing to unpack today—just one.
Say no to something that doesn’t serve you.
Drop a task that isn’t moving you forward.
Give yourself permission not to do it all.
Then see what happens when you stop carrying what you don’t need.
➡️ If this resonates, you’ll want to read Overpacked Schedules & the Illusion of Preparedness that inspired it: Read the full article here.