Put the entire kit on your body this weekend and go for a long walk. I have found the best motivator for making my load lighter is to carry it around a while. Seriously, put the entire load on your body and see how well you can maneuver over a downed tree, a ditch, thick brush. I won't bore you with my background, but I have found that simple, practical application drives home a point far more effectively than theoretical pondering. I'll bet in your reading of Civil War events you will recall the tales of excess gear that was discarded by infantrymen while on a long march. Even ammunition was thrown away by the handful. No disrespect is intended. Just hoping to share a lesson learned the hard way.