The Invisible Burden: Understanding and Addressing Mental Load

In our fast-paced modern world, mental load has become a big issue that affects particularity women in their every day lives.

The mental load refers to the invisible workload that comes with managing and organizing various aspects of life. It encompasses the mental effort required for planning, remembering, decision-making, and anticipating tasks and responsibilities. It can feel as heavy and draining as physical labour and have just as many, if not more consequences, but it is not always visible.

We tend to associate the mental load with women because we endure a lot more of the thinking, planning, organizing and responsibilities. I always use the example of my husband asking me "how he can help". I totally appreciate the effort and acknowledge that he too does a lot of hard work between his construction job and around the house, BUT....

HE IS NOT HELPING ME!!! He is equally living in the house, he uses the same things as I do, and makes just as much of a mess (if not more) than I do. He eats just like I do. So why is it up to me to decide that the bathroom needs to be cleaned, or that we have no food in the fridge so it's time to put in a Walmart order. Why am I the only one planning things out perfectly for when we have guests?

It is because I am a woman and this is unintentionally and unconsciously expected of me. And I do it because I feel like if I don't, then who will?

Gender Roles and Expectations are huge contributing factors of the mental load. Traditionally, we women have been assigned the household and caregiving responsibilities.

Another thing we take upon ourselves and add to our mental load is emotional labour. We manage emotions by comforting others, managing conflicts, and maintaining relationships, which can be draining. We are constantly worrying about what other people think, how they feel and what to do to make it better. It is just exhausting! When are we ever going to learn how to take care of ourselves first?

The last cause of heaviness that contributes to our mental load is the integration of work and personal life. Balancing professional demands with personal responsibilities adds to the mental load. Juggling multiple roles and tasks without sufficient support can leave us feeling overwhelmed and stressed. It can make us believe that we are not good enough or feel like we can never get anything right.

After reflecting on this mental load, it brings me to think that women are set up for "failure". We are taught that rest is lazy and we believe that if we are not always doing something that we are not productive.

But let's question that! WHAT IS WRONG WITH NOT ALWAYS BEING PRODUCTIVE!!! Besides, how can we always be productive if we do not rest.

Here is where Yoga comes into play. YAY lollll

Try meditating and journaling to say goodbye to your limiting beliefs. No longer let those negative thoughts be your guide, rather find a way to take control of them and allow yourself to be the best version of yourself.

Find ways to tap into your femininity and really truly allow your feminine energy to flow. This will allow you to be free. Free from all the expectations. Free from the harsh masculine energy. Free from burn out, stress and anxiety. Being in touch with your feminine energy will make you feel your best because it is authentic and true to who you are as a woman. EMBRACE IT!