If you feel like you are carrying a lot all the time, you are. The mental load of motherhood is so much. Too much.   You become somewhat numb to it over time. You don’t realize you’re chronically tired, overwhelmed, anxious and emotionally drained because it feels normal. Because it is normal, sadly.   This is motherhood.  That feeling that you don't recognize yourself, you can’t remember who you were before kids and you’re not sure who you’ll be when the kids no longer need you? Normal.   The whiplash from the rapid changing of hats from mom to professional to family project manager to community caregiver that has your head spinning? Normal.  The realization that you’re always making trade-offs that come at a cost to your time, energy, and joy? Normal.   I’m not saying this to make you feel worse - only to point out how normal this is. You are not alone.   What if in acknowledging all of this, you could see that change is necessary and possible?   In this episode, we talk through 4 ways you can navigate the mental load of motherhood in order to find more mental ease, more joy, and more comfort in your daily life.  Links mentioned: Parent Prep for Pride Month 2023! Join me on Tuesday, May 16th for a virtual panel to learn how to use this Pride Month 2023 as a powerful way to increase the safety and well-being of our LGBTQ+ youth:  www.PrideandJoyParents.com Other SMA episodes about the mental load of motherhood: Ep 305: 4 Ways to Manage the Mental Load of Motherhood  Ep 411: How to Create More Mental Space in Motherhood We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: https://shamelessmom.com/sponsor Interested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices