Invisible Loads: Why Women’s Mental Health Matters More Than Ever.
Every year, International Women’s Day is a day for women around the world to rally together to demand equal rights and equal justice. It also invites us to celebrate the achievements of women across our communities. We honour the leaders, careers, professionals, volunteers, mothers, daughters and friends who help shape our community everyday. We celebrate their leadership, resilience, compassion and strength, we share quotes about empowerment and we applaud all of their achievements. This day gives us both the opportunity to celebrate women but also comes as a reminder that meaningful progress requires continuous effort.
What we want to talk about in this blog is that, behind all of the celebration, is something far less visible and that is the invisible load that women carry everyday. The invisible load refers to the constant, behind the scenes thinking, planning, remembering and emotional managing that women do every single day, at home, at work, in relationships and in society in general. The invisible load is most of the time not obvious.
Alongside practical responsibilities, many women also carry significant emotional labour. Women often play many roles, the peacemakers, the organisers, the listeners, the supporters etc. while these qualities are absolutely amazing strengths, they can also become draining.
Ask Yourself,
- “When is the last time I truly rested without guilt?”
- “Do I feel responsible for everyone else’s wellbeing?”
- “What would change if I allowed myself support?”
When someone is constantly:
- Regulating their own emotions to support others.
- Absorbing stress from family members or colleagues.
- Maintaining balanced relationships between others.
- Prioritising everyone else’s wellbeing.
..their own mental health can quietly slip down the list of priorities.
Over time this can contribute to anxiety, burnout, low mood, sleep difficulties, feelings of overwhelm or resentment and possibly a sense of being ‘never off duty’.
Modern life has expanded opportunities for women vastly and this is definitely something to celebrate. Women are leading business, driving change, supporting communities and excelling in education at unprecedented levels. But often the expectations of women expand alongside these opportunities. Women are frequently expected to build careers, maintain homes, raise children, care for relatives, nurture friendships and prioritise wellbeing, all while staying calm and compassionate.
The power to do it all can become overwhelming, particularly when the mental and emotional load remains invisible or unacknowledged.
Many women report feeling guilty when they rest. Guilty for not doing more. Guilty for setting boundaries. This guilt can become a barrier to seeking support and reinforces the cycle of overextension.
Why does recognition matter?
One of the most powerful things we can do is to acknowledge the invisible load. When we acknowledge that it exists, we can validate the experience of those carrying it. We can create the space to have open conversations about it and eliminate the feeling of isolation that may come with it.
At Limerick Mental Health Association, we see how transformative it can be when women feel heard and supported. Mental health improves not only when individuals develop coping methods, but when communities share responsibilities fairly.
Support may look like;
- Sharing mental and practical responsibilities at home.
- Encouraging open conversations about feeling overwhelmed.
- Creating workplaces that respect boundaries.
- Normalising therapy and mental health support.
- Allowing women to act without guilt.
And some things you can do to support yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed are;
- Conducting a mental load ‘audit’, which involves you writing down everything you carry mentally.
- Practice saying no without having to overexplain why.
- Schedule non-negotiable rest for yourself.
- Check in with yourself and ask “what do i need today?
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible contribution of women in Limerick and beyond. We want to celebrate their leadership, compassion and resilience as well as acknowledge the weight many of them carry.
If you are feeling stretched thin, you are not failing and if you are overwhelmed the feeling is valid. Your wellbeing matters. If you or someone you know needs support, reach out. Support is available and seeking help is a sign of strength. Together we can celebrate women not just for their resilience but by creating conditions that protect their mental health every day of the year.