Mental Load Pt. 1: Invisible and unquantifiable 🤯 (Ep. 14)

May 3, 2024 / 45:20/S1:E14 Download MP3

Where do we even start.... how do you articulate something when its invisible?
Mental load is like carrying a backpack everywhere you go. Initially light, it quickly fills with tasks, worries, and responsibilities—big and small. Each item represents a thought or task, some heavier than others, straining your shoulders as they accumulate. It's not just about the weight but also the constant juggling to manage them all, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Today we are discussing how mental load shows up for us and what we've done to reduce the burden.

Key takeaways:

Self care and boundaries: Setting boundaries and expectations is a great way to ensure you are practicing self care and not ensuring your mental load does not become unbearable
Reflect on patterns: Reflecting on your patterns and personal experience can assist to find the root cause which can help to break down societal stereotypes.
Regular check ins: Mental load gradually increases with life changes, such as becoming serious with a partner and having children. Regular check ins can help to ensure mental load doesn't creep up on you and leaves one partner isn't feeling overwhelmed.

What we discussed:
00:40 Intro
01:11 What mental load looks like for Nhi
01:43 What mental load looks like for Dee
03:41 Dee trying to describe the indescribable
04:30 Nhi coming to the rescue and articulating mental load better
08:16 What mental load really is and what frustrates Nhi
13:14 Outsourcing to reduce mental load
14:45 How we reduce our mental load
25:18 The Sunday argument that highlights how men and woman think
27:22 The benefits of reducing mental load
31:37 The our childhood has impacted our perception of mental load
41:19 Societal expectations, recognition and appreciation
44:22 Wrap up

Stay tuned for part 2!