The Mental Load is Heavy

and the brain cells diminishing

I recently had a long conversation with a friend about the mental load of being a wife and mother. I’m sure the cognitive load of single people is also heavy but this is what my experience is so this is what I can speak to.

Anyway.

We were not complaining so much as expressing weariness. Thirty-something years into this householding gig and I still seem to be the only one who knows where to find the tape, or who needs socks, or when this one needs to be at the dentist and that one has a commitment somewhere else.

I keep track of all the people and their schedules, favorite foods, and what they don’t like to eat. I help them with paperwork, financial decisions, editing, and other boring life details and I think this is because I’m the only one who can find a pen. And knows all the phone numbers. And names of service providers.