How to Manage the Mental Load While Running a Business

If you’re a mum in business, you’re carrying two to-do lists: the visible one (emails, client work, deadlines) and the invisible one (school forms, birthday gifts, meal plans, laundry). This invisible weight is what’s known as the “mental load” — and when you’re also building a business, it can feel overwhelming.

The good news? There are practical ways to lighten it.

1. Write Everything Down

Your brain is not a filing cabinet. Keeping everything in your head increases stress and makes you feel like you’re always forgetting something. Write down every task, big or small, and get it out of your head. Whether you prefer pen and paper, Trello, or an app, having a system creates instant relief.

2. Delegate Without Guilt

Think about how you run your business: you outsource design, accounting, or admin to free yourself up for bigger-picture work. Home life should be no different. Whether it’s grocery delivery, childcare support, or a cleaner once a month, delegating frees up mental energy. Asking for help is not a failure — it’s a strategy.

3. Create Default Systems

Decision fatigue is real. Set up default routines so you’re not starting from scratch every week. For example:

• Mondays = admin and planning

• Tuesdays = client work

• Wednesdays = content creationThese rhythms give structure and reduce the number of decisions you need to make daily.

4. Prioritise Recovery

A well-rested brain is more creative, focused, and resilient. Protect your recovery time with the same seriousness you give to business meetings. That means bedtime without screens, real breaks during the day, and giving yourself permission to slow down.

Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship doesn’t mean carrying it all. It means building systems that allow you to carry only what matters most.

👉 Our programme From Idea to Income helps you design a business model that fits your life, reduces overwhelm, and creates space for growth. If the mental load is weighing heavy, this is where to start. Take me there