The mental load of a working Mum.
Liptember 2024 - Day 22
I'm not one for being rushed. I can think on my feet but sometimes I agonise over decisions that need to be made. It all depends on my mindset at the time or other external factors or my "What if" friend that visits. I like to think through everything, and did I mention I don't like change?
I'm an Accountant & we work within the confines of rules and laws that date back through the ages. We also keep workpapers for everything! For someone that doesn't like change, I really should have picked a different career. However, the other career I wanted, a meteorologist - nothing but change with the weather right.
Starting a career now seems easy looking back. Choosing a wedding date, that was difficult making it suit the majority including ourselves. The pressure to have kids was abundant from some but these decisions couldn't be rushed. You need to be ready to take on the responsibilities that come with such decisions. So the Liptember research today is no surprise to me at all.
54% of working women said the key reason they’ve experienced a deterioration in mental health over the past 12 months is due to the pressure of working alongside their mental load.
When you're a mum in particular, you not only turn up to work with a set of tasks and surprises for the day, but you also consciously have all the kids appointments in the back of your mind. Probably also a grocery list of things to pick up before you go home and those bills on the fridge that need paying, Did someone put the bin out? Did I lock the car? Will the school (now they're teens) call that someone is sick and I have to leave work early to pick them up. Or, a client just phoned and the bank want up to date financials and their BAS from last quarter still isn't complete.
People often tell me I'm different at work to if they see me outside of work. I just explain that when I'm at work, I'm 'switched on' but as soon as I'm out the door, I'm already two drop offs & two loads of washing away thinking of what else I have to do today & will I fit that walk in that I promised myself. The mental load is real so now I'm off to get some beauty sleep before it all starts again tomorrow. Let there be light at the end of the tunnel. Chase more sunsets.
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