How To Audit Your Mental Load with Prof. Leah Ruppanner

It’s time we talked about the mental load. Again.

💌 To join our journaling club, with 9,900+ others, subscribe to my imperfect email - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/

Consider this a companion episode to our infamous, most shared episode of 2023, The Elephant in the Relationship where Hugh and Penny introduced us to their mental load, and how they were trying to make it more equal in their relationship.

Today we’re sprinkling in some expertise and scientific data, as we’re joined by Professor Leah Ruppanner who explains to Hugh, Ryan and Josh that there’s actually 8 different types of mental load, and not all of them are draining.

Bringing examples from their own lives, Hugh, Ryan and Josh discuss with Leah why the mental load can seem like an insurmountable amount of emotional thinking, and how partners can better communicate to reduce anxiety-like symptoms and burnout.

We chat to Leah about the exacerbation of the mental load when chronic illness becomes part of the equation, and how to manage the mental load when there is no one to share it with.

Chapters

00:00:00 – TRAILER

00:02:02 – The Mental Load is life changing for relationships

00:03:11 – Mental Load definition: emotional thinking work

00:05:41 – 3 characteristics of the mental load

00:08:00 – Mental Load vs Burnout: Treat Your Energy Like a Budget