You can usually find me carrying round a backpack. I don’t like clutter in my pockets.
In addition to the usual suspects—phone, wallet, a book, and keys—I take some extra face masks, in-case-I-need-it medicine, and a pair of sunglasses.
However, over time a few other things end up making their way into my pack: a padlock for the gym lockers, an old copy of The Economist, or a folded sweater hidden at the bottom. I often forget to take these items out.
Eventually I realise I’ve been carrying around dead weight. Taking out those items makes my pack lighter, and makes any subsequent journey a little bit easier.
The backpack is easy to clean out, and the dead weight is noticed quite quickly.
Our minds, habits, and projects, on the other hand, those require a different kind of attention, thought, and care. The dead weight can mount quickly when the additions are imperceptible.