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13. The Mental Load: Why Our Brains Won't Switch Off

Dec 13, 2025
44 mins

Episode Description

In this episode of Feelings… and Other Inconveniences, we dive into the invisible weight of mental load – the constant thinking, tracking and planning that never seems to switch off, even when we are "off duty." 
  • Are we confusing mental load with caring?
  • What happens in our bodies when we are carrying too much?
  • And what do we believe will fall apart if we stop managing everything?
We talk about:   💫 How to tell the difference between stress and anxiety in real life, not just in theory 💫 Caring for ageing parents, parenting, work and that feeling of always having "one more thing" to do 💫 The idea of open loops and why unfinished tasks drain so much energy 💫 When mental load becomes part of our identity and why letting go can feel selfish 💫 Control, non-attachment and those fleeting moments of "I actually don't mind what happens" 💫 Guilt, people pleasing and why even help from others can trigger discomfort If your brain feels like it is running a full-time job no one is paying you for, this one is for you.    Love the episode?
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