I immediately thought that it feels much easier to carry something with the pole in the picture because the weight rests more closely to a point on the y-axis g

I immediately thought that it feels much easier to carry something with the pole in the picture because the weight rests more closely to a point on the y-axis going through your center of gravity, as opposed to carrying it at the side of your body, where your arms are. But I like your second interpretation way more!