Lately, I’ve been feeling the weight—literally and figuratively. At 40-something, it’s very much like I’m carrying the load of all my past decisions, much like the song “The Weight” by The Band, where the songwriter, Robbie Robertson talks about taking on burdens along his journey. That’s how it feels in mid-career: You pick up the weight of choices made, opportunities missed, and the creeping sense that maybe, just maybe, **cringe** you’ve peaked.
In “The Weight,” Robbie talks about asking for help but keeps taking on more, which resonates with how I sometimes feel about my chosen direction. I chose the entrepreneurial path for freedom and purpose, but now those aims feel quite a bit more hazy than they did in the beginning. The solitude of entrepreneurship feels heavy, and the regrets of paths not taken—only add to that burden.
There’s a moment in the song where the weight is so overwhelming that he looks for a place to lay it all down. That’s what this mid-career phase is about: finding ways to lay down the weight, to reassess and find meaning in what you’re doing. These mid-career blues can actually be a turning point, a chance to shift the load, and reframe your journey.
One thing I am learning is that part of the weight comes from always focusing on the next big project or milestone. It’s about balancing telic activities (those with a specific end goal) with atelic activities (ongoing and fulfilling in themselves). It’s reminding myself that not everything has to be about the destination—sometimes the journey itself needs to be appreciated.
So, if you’re feeling weighed down, remember that this isn’t the end of the road. It’s just a stop along the way where you can lay down your burdens, reassess, and decide how to move forward. And maybe, just maybe, lightening that load will help you find renewed purpose and passion in your career. And maybe this next chapter can be the best one yet.
Large Hearts-
Jordan