Mental load refers to the cognitive effort involved in managing and organizing tasks, responsibilities, and information, especially as related to everyday life. It often involves the unseen, mental tracking of what needs to be done and when. Here are some examples of things that are considered part of the mental load:

1. Household Management:

• Planning meals, grocery shopping, and remembering dietary needs or preferences.
• Managing the family’s schedule, including appointments, activities, and social engagements.
• Monitoring and remembering to pay bills, renew subscriptions, or take care of household repairs.
• Tracking cleaning schedules, laundry, and general household chores.
• Anticipating needs like buying new clothes, gifts for birthdays, or household items.

2. Family Responsibilities:

• Keeping track of children’s school events, homework, extracurricular activities, and playdates.
• Remembering important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, and family traditions.
• Managing communication and coordination between family members or other caregivers.
• Monitoring the well-being of children, including their emotional, physical, and social needs.
• Handling health-related tasks such as doctor appointments, vaccinations, and tracking medications.

3. Work-Related Mental Load:

• Organizing and prioritizing tasks, deadlines, and projects at work.
• Keeping track of meetings, emails, and other forms of communication.
• Managing work-life balance, ensuring that personal responsibilities are not overlooked.
• Anticipating future work needs or problems and planning to address them.

4. Emotional Labor:

• Managing your own emotions, as well as helping others (e.g., family, colleagues) with their emotional needs.
• Mediating conflicts or providing emotional support to family members or friends.
• Maintaining social relationships by remembering to check in with friends and relatives.

5. Social and Cognitive Tasks:

• Planning vacations, holidays, or social gatherings, ensuring everyone’s preferences and needs are met.
• Remembering to send thank-you notes, messages, or keep in touch with important people.
• Managing the cognitive load of long-term planning, such as retirement, education, or major life events.

Mental load is often invisible, but it requires constant cognitive effort to manage, and the burden can vary greatly depending on life circumstances. It feels every bit as real as visible labor.

What mental load are you carrying? Schedule a Venting Session with me to help offload some of your household stress!