A Conversation about a Mother's Mental Load.

In simple terms ...

Mental load refers to the cognitive effort and psychological burden required to manage daily tasks, responsibilities, and obligations. It includes the mental efforts involved in planning, organizing, decision-making, and remembering important details. Mental load is not just about the physical tasks we do, but also about the mental labor and emotional labor that go into completing those tasks.

Mental load can be experienced by anyone, but it is often associated with the work of caregiving, managing a household, or parenting, where there are numerous tasks and responsibilities to juggle simultaneously. Mental load can also be affected by external factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, and physical or emotional exhaustion.

It is important to recognize and acknowledge mental load because it can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health and well-being. When mental load becomes overwhelming, it can lead to stress, anxiety, and burnout.

More complex terms suggests that in the past few years have increased the mental load on parents everywhere but specifically Mothers. When we start to pull this apart layer by layer its pretty apparent as to why. In the past few years Mother's ( mostly) have had to step up into the beyond the Mom role. Meaning, we went from having to be the primary caregiver, chef, booger taker and ass wiper to teacher on top of all of that. We have had to work nights because of the freaking insane cost of childcare, or go part time because we have to handle school drop off and pick up but then there goes our health insurance and 401k. Even with partner and family support, sometimes it's still not enough and its truly no wonder we are all on anxiety medication!

So, how do we lesson the load? This post is meant to spark conversation that at some point sparks radical change! But in the meantime, here are some ways to lighten the load and control what we can:

1. Prioritize tasks: Make a list of tasks you need to do and prioritize them based on their urgency and importance. This can help you focus on the most critical tasks and avoid feeling overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once.
2. Delegate tasks: If possible, delegate tasks to others to lighten your load. This can include delegating tasks to family members, colleagues, or outsourcing tasks that can be done by others.
3. Simplify tasks: Look for ways to simplify tasks to make them easier to manage. This could involve breaking down larger tasks into smaller ones or finding ways to automate or streamline tasks.
4. Take breaks: Taking breaks is important for mental health and can help reduce stress and fatigue. Take breaks throughout the day to recharge your mind and give yourself a mental break.
5. Practice self-care: Make time for self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies, to reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
6. Seek support: Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. Talk to friends or family members, or consider seeking professional support if you are struggling with mental load.
7. SAY NO! We are all guilty of wanting to be super Mom and wanting to show up for our kids but not all of us are meant to be the PTA President, soccer coach etc. It's ok to say no, it's actually a complete sentence.

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