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Mental load checklist: 100+ ways that you might carry mental load 🧠

mental load checklist

Mental load checklist: 100+ ways that you might carry mental load 🧠-

Introduction 👋

The invisible mental load – those countless tasks, reminders, and responsibilities that keep homes and families running smoothly – can often feel overwhelming, especially when it falls disproportionately on one person. 🙋‍♀️

From managing schedules and keeping track of important dates, to making sure there’s food on the table and the laundry’s done, the mental load is a heavy but important part of everyday life. 📆

We’ve put together the ultimate mental load checklist to highlight as many ways as possible that you might be carrying mental load for your home. 🧠

Disclaimer: This website provides information for guidance and educational purposes only. The Grown-Up School does not provide regulated financial advice. You can seek independent financial advice from a suitably qualified and regulated professional advisor. Check out our disclaimer policy for more information.

1. Cooking 👩‍🍳

  • Prepare/cook meals
  • Clean/disinfect kitchen counters
  • Take dishes from around the house to the kitchen
  • Wash dishes and kitchen utensils
  • Throw out old food
  • Wipe down fridge
  • Deep clean the fridge and freezer
  • Clean out cupboards
  • Deep clean oven
  • Deep clean appliances e.g. microwave, coffee machine, kettle (descale it!)

2. Cleaning🧽

  • Put clothes in the washing basket
  • Regularly wipe surfaces in the bathroom
  • Check the washing machine for wet clothes (so they don’t go mouldy!)
  • Empty bins when they’re full
  • Regularly sweep/vacuum for areas that get dirty quickly
  • Put out the bins and recycling – keep track of bin dates
  • Put dirty clothes through washing machine cycles
  • Take laundry out to dry and bring back inside
  • Sweep/vacuum all floors
  • Mop hard floor surfaces
  • Dust
  • Thoroughly clean bathrooms – including toilet, shower/bath, and mirror
  • Wipe down kitchen appliances and cabinets – don’t forget handles!
  • Vacuum sofas
  • Wash pillow covers, mattress covers, and duvets
  • Wipe light switches and door handles
  • Put the dishwasher on a clean cycle
  • Vacuum/dust/wash window coverings e.g. blinds, curtains
  • Wash shower curtains
  • Clean/dust light fittings
  • Wipe down house moldings, skirting/base boards, doors, and door frames
  • Vacuum window screens
  • Clean under furniture
  • Wash all pillows, cushions, blankets, and duvets
  • Clean vents
  • Wash windows (inside and out)
  • Clean carpets and rugs with a carpet cleaner

3. Tidying 🧹

  • Pick things up off the floor e.g. clothes
  • Tidy things away
  • Make the bed (if you want to)
  • Put out clothes for the next day (if you want to)
  • Ironing laundry
  • Put away clean laundry
  • Do a clutter inspection to get rid of unwanted clutter
  • Donate clutter to charity or sell it!
  • Switch your outfits into/out of storage for different seasons

4. Outdoors 🏡

  • Collect and read post
  • Water plants if needed
  • Mow the lawn (if needed)
  • De-weed paving stones outdoors
  • Check your home’s roof for damage and moss growth
  • Repair/paint fences
  • Top up external paint
  • Clean out gutters
  • Trim overgrown plants/bushes

5. Money and admin 💸

  • Read your bank account balance/transactions
  • Add things to shopping list when they run out
  • Write a weekly shopping list
  • Go shopping
  • Negotiate your bills onto lower rates ( How to negotiate your bills 📜)
  • Bleed radiators (release trapped air so they heat up properly)
  • Get your boiler serviced
  • Do DIY that you’ve been avoiding (e.g. painting walls)
  • Check the interest rate on your savings account (Why you should care about the interest rate on your savings account 🐷 )
  • Have regular money catch ups – catch up on your financial goals e.g. saving, spending, investing
  • Review your bills to make sure your contracts aren’t ending soon or that you don’t have any bills due e.g. rental contract/mortgage, insurance, phone contract, car insurance, car tax (What bills should I be paying? 💸)
  • Submit your gas and electric meter reading to avoid unexpected bills
  • Test all smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detectors
  • Check boiler pressure

6. Car care 🚗

  • Check car tyres for punctures
  • Check car for suspicious leaks (is there a wet patch underneath?)
  • Make sure that you have enough fuel for journeys
  • Check car tyre tread
  • Check that your car lights are working (at least once a fortnight)
  • Clean your car exterior (outside every 2 weeks or so)
  • Take your car in for servicing/MOT (Ministry of transport certificate)
  • Check your car coolant levels (at least twice a year)
  • Check/test your car battery (this will happen at your MOT assessment (Ministry of transport certificate)
  • Inspect the engine air filter on your car (replacing it can increase fuel efficiency and save you money on fuel)
  • Check your brake fluid levels – it should be mostly clear/yellow with no dirt, otherwise it might need replacing
  • Check and top up car oil
  • Check your tyre pressure
  • Top up car screen wash (or more often if you drive a lot)
  • Clean your car interior

7. Pet care 🐶

  • Give pets food/water
  • Clean food and water bowls
  • Exercise pets or give them mental stimulation
  • Clean up pet waste
  • Groom your pet if needed e.g. brushing, nail clipping, tooth brushing if needed
  • Wash pet bedding or clean pet cages (depending on your pet)
  • Check pet vaccinations – vet visits
  • Groom/cut your pet’s fur (if needed)
  • Give your pet a bath if needed e.g. dogs can be bathed every 2 to 3 months
  • De-worm your pet (e.g. dogs at least every 3 months)
  • Flea treat your pet if needed
  • Regularly review pet insurance needs for your pet to help cover unexpected treatments

8. Personal hygiene 🪥

  • Brush teeth and floss – twice a day
  • Trim your nails – make sure they’re clean
  • Wash hands with soap after using the bathroom, after touching dirty things, before eating, before and after preparing food, and after handling pets
  • Change your underwear – put on a clean, fresh pair
  • Change your socks/tights daily
  • Shower/clean your body – at least every other day
  • Put dirty clothes in the wash (exercise clothes after every wear, tshirts/tops after 1-2 wears, jeans after 4-6 wears, pyjamas after 4 wears)
  • See your dentist (about every 6 months)
  • Wash your seasonal coats e.g. winter coats
  • Change your toothbrush (every 3-4 months)

9. Childcare 👶

  • Plan weekly meals and prepare nutritious food for the children
  • Pack school lunches or snacks
  • Clean up after meals and involve kids in simple tasks like setting/clearing the table
  • Take turns with school drop-offs and pick-ups
  • Organise and attend medical appointments (e.g., vaccinations, dentist visits)
  • Maintain a consistent bedtime routine (e.g., baths, storytime)
  • Track school events, homework, and after school activities
  • Help children with homework and learning activities
  • Organise transport for extracurricular activities and playdates
  • Rotate children’s seasonal clothing and manage outgrown items
  • Child-proof the house (e.g., safety gates, storing sharp objects)
  • Clean up toys and encourage kids to tidy up their own spaces
  • Ensure clean and organised spaces, including bedrooms and play areas
  • Teach and encourage good hygiene (e.g., regular baths, brushing teeth)
  • Actively listen to children’s feelings and concerns
  • Schedule and attend parent-teacher meetings and school events
  • Plan family outings or activities for quality time together
  • Keep track of vaccinations, medical records, and any dietary restrictions
  • Save and budget for children’s future (e.g., education, activities)
  • Manage household finances related to children’s needs (e.g., clothing, school supplies)

Conclusion 👍

So that’s it!

Hopefully this checklist has helped you to understand the mental load that you might be carrying, and just how much you might need to remember to keep a household running!

Don’t stress if you’re struggling to do everything on the list, this is a guideline of mental load that people tend to carry.

If you know any friends or family members who might benefit from learning about all the mental load tasks that needs to be kept on top of, share this post with them!

Finally, don’t forget to check out our similar articles below!

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