Why Am I the Only One Who Notices We’re Out of Toilet Paper? The Mental Load of Motherhood—and How Therapy Can Help

The mental load refers to the cognitive effort involved in managing a household and family life. It’s the constant thinking, planning, anticipating, remembering, and worrying. It’s the reason why your partner can relax on the couch and enjoy the movie, while your brain is mentally sorting tomorrow’s schedule and wondering whether that rash on your toddler’s leg means something.

It’s why you’re so tired all the time—even when you technically “haven’t done that much.” And it’s also why so many moms end up in therapy, not because they’re failing, but because they’ve been functioning too well for too long without support.