The Load You're Likely Overlooking

The Invisible Work That's Overloading Your Day

As you ease back into work mode, that sense of lingering pressure might be hanging over your head, because even though you had a break, the feeling of unfinished tasks never really went away. There’s the visible work—the meetings, deadlines, and tasks everyone can see. But then there’s the invisible work—the unspoken tasks that quietly consume our time and mental energy. They don’t make it into our calendar, but they are always there, running in the background, draining our focus. A little like that beeping reminder on the phone you keep silencing but never quite address.

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What Exactly Is Invisible Work?

Invisible work is all the unseen effort that keeps everything running smoothly. It’s the mental checklist of things like making sure there's enough milk in the fridge, remembering to book appointments, and checking in with the teams’ projects they may be struggling with. ?From planning family meals to thinking about looming deadlines, it all adds up, and yet these things never quite make it onto the to-do list, they just clog our mental space instead.

And there is also the emotional labour that comes with managing it all.? As managers, we navigate team dynamics, diffuse conflicts, and make sure our staff feel supported. As leaders, we translate the vision into business plans, address unspoken concerns, and make sure that everyone is on the same page. And at home, we help our kids through big emotions about school, friendships or even changes in their usual routines. This juggling act can leave us feeling mentally, emotionally and physically drained.

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Why Women Often Shoulder This Load

Invisible work often falls disproportionately on women. Studies show that as women we are more likely to take on this mental load, no matter our job title, salary or social status. ?Social expectations place us at the centre of family coordination and social events.

At work, we often pick up unofficial tasks like organising social events, buying the farewell cards, or checking in on a colleague who seems a bit off. At home, this load appears in everything needed to keep daily life on track, planning, coordinating and making sure the house runs smoothly.

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The Real Cost of Invisible Work

Invisible work doesn’t just eat up our time—it eats away at our mental energy. It can leave us feeling stretched thin before we’ve even tackled the official to-do list. When no one sees or acknowledges this hidden workload, it can lead to feelings of being underappreciated or even resentment towards others who don’t share the mental load. Worse still, it can make us feel like we are always one step behind, no matter how hard we try to keep up.

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How to Lighten the Invisible Load

As you ease back into work life it’s a great time to recognise and manage the invisible load because this doesn’t have to be another year of handling the load alone.

Here are some practical strategies to help you get started:

• ?Bring the Invisible to Light: List all those small, yet significant, tasks that you manage behind the scenes. Seeing it all laid out will give you a clearer picture of just how much you’re handling. It’s likely to be more than you realise.
• Communicate with Those Around You: Once you have a clear picture, talk about it. Whether at work or home, being open about the invisible tasks you’re managing can help others understand and support you more effectively.
• Prioritise Your Tasks: Not everything is equally important, even though it might feel like it is. Take a step back and consider what truly needs your attention today versus what can wait. You don’t have to carry it all at once.
• Set Boundaries and Stick to Them: Start small and be consistent. Whether it’s setting specific times for checking emails or saying no to additional responsibilities, boundaries help you protect your time and energy.

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One Step At A Time

Invisible work has a way of sneaking in and taking over, even when it doesn’t show up on your calendar. The first step is just noticing how much you’re really carrying. Once you see it, you can start having the conversations that’ll help lighten the load—whether it’s with your team, family, or even your to-do list. This doesn’t have to be another year of doing everything and feeling like you’re barely keeping up. Acknowledging the mental load, even if it’s just a little bit, can make things a lot more manageable.

If you need some help navigating this mental load, reach out.? Sometimes a fresh perspective is all it takes to start feeling more in control.

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