The "Duh, I Don’t Have to Do That?" Moment
I had an epiphany this morning while filling in my Morning Routine Reflection Worksheet—a tool I created for my upcoming course, Morning Momentum: Creating Your Empowered Morning Routine.
I was reflecting on how my mornings flowed (until it didn’t!) when I realised something HUGE:
**Not having something definitive to work on as soon as I sat at my desk—and instead relying on my brain to remember what was most important—was actually ‘mental load’.
That was the moment this blog post was born.
It hit me like a tonne of bricks. Every morning, I’d sit down, scroll through emails, check messages, maybe flip through my out-of-date to-do list—hoping something would jump out as the priority. But in reality, I was wasting time and draining my mental energy before I'd even started working.
Up until then I'd put it down to 'this was just my routine that got me into my 'flow'.
Duh! The things our ego tells us to keep us 'safe' and in our comfort zones.
And if I was doing it, how many other women were unknowingly doing the same?
That’s when I made the decision:
That system that had been niggling at me for weeks now, that had been slowing forming in my head. The reason I got a tablet to manage everything, needed to become a priority. Something that would tell me exactly what to work on the moment I sat down. No more relying on memory. No more feeling overwhelmed by all the things.
So I started digging deeper into mental load, how it shows up in business and life, and most importantly—how to eliminate it.
I can delegate, automate, and release this invisible mental burden. And so can you.
Let’s break down what mental load actually is, why it’s secretly exhausting you, and—most importantly—how to free yourself from it without sacrificing your business or personal life.
What Is Mental Load?
Mental load is the invisible to-do list constantly running in the back of your mind. It’s not just the physical tasks you do—it’s also:
- Remembering everything (appointments, deadlines, follow-ups).
- Anticipating needs before they arise (client concerns, household admin, meal planning).
- Coordinating who does what (whether it’s family or a team).
Mental load isn’t just about doing things—it’s about thinking, planning, and worrying about them.
Imagine your brain is a browser with 50 tabs open—some are playing music, some are frozen, and some keep popping up with urgent notifications. That’s mental load.
No wonder you feel drained before even starting your work!
And let me tell you: that is exhausting.
Mental Load in Relationships vs. Living Solo as an Entrepreneur
Mental load doesn’t just show up in your business—it follows you everywhere, including your home life. But the way it affects you depends on whether you’re balancing your business with family responsibilities or managing everything alone.
Let’s explore the two different realities of solo entrepreneurship and how mental load creeps into both.
1. The Solo Entrepreneur in a Relationship (and/or Living with Kids)
When you’re an entrepreneur and the primary organiser of your household, your mental load multiplies.
You’re not just running a business—you’re also managing an entire ecosystem of people, schedules, and responsibilities.
- You’re the one keeping track of when the milk runs out (even though everyone drinks it).
- You remember birthdays, doctor’s appointments, school events, and the last time the dog had its flea treatment.
- You know what’s in the fridge, who needs a new pair of shoes, and when the car insurance is due.
- You’re answering “What’s for dinner?” while also crafting the perfect email sequence.
And even when you delegate, you’re still the one remembering to remind people to do the things you delegated!
It’s not just about doing the tasks—it’s about being the one who has to think about them.
How This Impacts Your Business:
- You start your workday already mentally exhausted from home admin.
- You struggle to focus on deep work because there are too many loose threads in your brain.
- Your creative energy is spent on problem-solving for your family instead of your business.
What Helps:
✅ Shared calendars & lists – Get everything out of your head and onto a system everyone can access. Google Calendar, Apple Reminders, or a good old-fashioned whiteboard work wonders.
✅ Make tasks visible – Instead of “Can you help more?” say, “Here’s what needs to be done. Pick something.”
✅ Outsource where possible – Online grocery delivery? A cleaner once a month? A meal kit subscription? These small investments can free up hours of brain space.
✅ Designate work-only hours – If you’re working, you’re working. Not available for “quick favours” or “since you’re home” tasks.
🚨 Remember: You are not the household manager by default—everyone benefits from a functioning home, so let them share the responsibility!
2. The Solo Entrepreneur Living Alone
Now, you might think that living alone means no mental load outside of work.
HA! If only.
Yes, you don’t have to manage other people’s schedules, but you do have to handle absolutely everything yourself.
- If you don’t do the dishes, no one else will.
- If you don’t buy groceries, you don’t eat.
- If something breaks, it’s on you to fix (or find someone who can).
- If you’re sick, there’s no one to pick up the slack—you either push through or deal with the consequences later.
And on top of that, your business is always in your space. There’s no physical separation between work and home, which makes it easy for mental load to seep into every moment.
Ever caught yourself working at 10 PM because “there’s no one here to tell me to stop”?
How This Impacts Your Business:
- You never fully switch off because there’s no external boundary between work and personal time.
- You take on too much responsibility because you’re used to handling everything yourself.
- You sometimes forget to take care of yourself because “it’s just me” (skipping meals, not getting outside enough, working late).
What Helps:
✅ Create structure – Define your work hours and stick to them, even if no one else is holding you accountable.
✅ Set up automatic systems – Grocery deliveries, meal prepping, scheduling bill payments—let technology take some of the mental load off. Brain dump into ChatGPT and ask it to prioritise your tasks!
✅ Use co-working spaces or virtual accountability – Having a check-in system (even just a friend to message “I’m clocking off now”) helps maintain healthy boundaries.
✅ Prioritise self-care like you would a business task – If you wouldn’t cancel a client meeting, don’t cancel your exercise, downtime, or fun plans.
Remember: Living alone doesn’t mean you have to do everything the hard way—simplify, automate, and let go of the “I have to do it all myself” mindset.
Final Thought: Different Struggles, Same Solution
Whether you’re juggling a business with family life or navigating entrepreneurship solo, the answer to mental load is the same:
**Stop trying to remember everything, stop doing everything yourself, and start setting up systems that take the weight off your brain.**
Because you deserve to have the mental space to focus on YOUR success, not just keeping everything running.
7 Ways Mental Load Is Secretly Holding You Back
Mental load isn’t just an annoyance—it’s actively hindering your business in ways you may not realise. Here’s how:
1. Decision Fatigue is Draining Your Willpower
When your brain is juggling 100 little decisions, making big decisions—like pricing your offers or planning your strategy—feels overwhelming.
Solution: Reduce daily decisions by creating systems (meal plans, pre-planned outfits, template responses).
2. Overcommitment is Eating Your Time
Saying “yes” too often? That’s because you’re the go-to problem solver.
🛠 Solution: Before saying yes, ask: “Is this essential for my goals?” If not, say no (or delegate!).
3. Perfectionism is Keeping You Stuck
Do you spend way too long tweaking things that don’t actually matter? That’s mental load tricking you into thinking every detail is urgent.
🛠 Solution: Ask yourself: “Will this move the needle?” If not, done is better than perfect.
4. You’re Always Thinking About Business (Even When You Shouldn’t Be)
Mental load means you’re never fully off-duty. You could be watching TV, but your brain is thinking about tomorrow’s email sequence.
Solution: Set mental boundaries—have a work shutdown ritual, a “brain dump” journal, or scheduled no-business hours.
5. You’re Prioritising Other People’s Urgencies Over Your Own
If your inbox dictates your day, you’re letting other people’s priorities control your time.
Solution: Start your day with your priorities first. Emails and messages can wait.
6. Procrastination is Actually Burnout in Disguise
If you feel unmotivated, it might not be laziness—it’s mental overload.
Solution: Take real breaks. A 5-minute scroll isn’t rest. A walk, nap, or mindful moment is.
7. You’re Carrying More Than You Need To
I realised I was holding a ridiculous amount of information that didn’t need to be in my head, even though it felt 'normal' to me.
Solution: Externalise everything. Use a planner, task manager, or voice notes instead of keeping everything in your brain.
How I’m Releasing My Mental Load (And How You Can Too!)
1. Offload the Thinking
- Write everything down. Your brain is not a storage unit.
- Use scheduling tools. OneNote and Airtable—your new best friends.
2. Automate & Delegate
- Set up templates for emails, invoices, and social posts.
- Batch tasks (content creation, admin work).
- Automate repetitive tasks (email follow-ups, calendar reminders using Make.com).
3. Reduce Decision Fatigue
- Simplify your daily choices (meals, outfits, routines).
- Pre-plan social content and offers.
4. Prioritise Energy, Not Just Time
- Recognise what drains vs. energises you.
- Work on creative tasks when your energy is highest.
5. Set Boundaries (For Real This Time)
- No checking emails outside work hours.
- Protect CEO time for deep work.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Lighten the Load!
Mental load is like carrying a backpack full of bricks—you don’t realise how heavy it is until you start taking some out.
I’m creating systems to carry less, automate more, and free my brain for the things that truly matter.
Are you ready to do the same?