Summary

In this episode, Rachel Boyle explores the overwhelming feelings many women experience during midlife, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. She discusses the emotional and mental labor that women often carry, the impact of hormonal changes, and practical strategies for rebalancing responsibilities. Rachel emphasizes the importance of recognizing the invisible load women bear and encourages seeking professional support to navigate these challenges effectively.

Takeaways

Midlife can feel overwhelming due to emotional and hormonal shifts.

Women often carry an invisible load of emotional labor.

Hormonal changes during perimenopause can affect stress management.

The Fair Play framework helps make invisible work visible.

Women are often taught to manage everything on their own.

Recognizing the mental load is crucial for balance.

Therapy can provide strategies for redistributing responsibilities.

Scheduling rest is essential for mental health.

Finding a menopause-trained provider can be beneficial.

Couples therapy can help address resistance in sharing responsibilities.

Keywords

midlife, overwhelm, emotional labor, perimenopause, menopause, mental load, hormonal changes, Fair Play, therapy, support

Titles

Navigating Midlife Overwhelm

The Hidden Burden of Emotional Labor

Sound bites

"Why do I feel like I'm suddenly falling apart?"

"You need to make the invisible work visible."

"Couples therapy can help sort out resistance."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Midlife Overwhelm

00:28 The Impact of Emotional and Mental Labor

00:48 Understanding the Invisible Load of Women

03:47 The Impact of Hormones on Mental Load

06:32 Recognizing Overwhelm in Midlife

09:14 Strategies for Sharing the Load

11:55 Finding Support and Professional Help