Are you like me, running a business while raising a family?
The constant everyday multi-spinning of plates sometimes feels like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle… on a tightrope… blindfolded.
Welcome to the ‘mental load’ that many mothers carry.
This is the invisible weight of a thousand micro-decisions that never switch off, or the background app that your brain can’t quit.
And when you’re a mum and a business owner, that load doubles.
You may be thinking about client strategy, while wondering if there’s enough bread for school
lunches. It’s no wonder so many of us end the day exhausted and still feel like we haven’t
done enough.
Let’s talk about the science behind the overloaded ‘mum brain’
Our brains are powerful, but not limitless. Every time we switch between tasks (“Did I send
that invoice?” to “What’s for dinner?” and “Reply to that email!”, we burn mental energy. In
neuroscience, we call it ‘cognitive switching cost’, and it’s one of the biggest reasons we feel
drained even before midday. Add to that, the brain’s autopilot of reflection and worry, and
you’ve got the perfect storm for overthinking.
Sound familiar?
Now, here’s the truth – you don’t need more ‘balance’. Balance is the word we’re often sold,
but it’s not what your brain needs. What you really crave is alignment.
When your values, energy, and priorities line up, when you stop trying to be everything to
everyone, the mental noise starts to fade.
As I tell my clients, “You don’t need to do more. You need to think better.”
My favourite brain hacks to ease the load
The 3-tab rule
Your brain can only hold about 3–4 meaningful thoughts at once before focus collapses. So,
I use this rule: no more than three “open tabs” in your mind at any moment. Write the rest
down. Once it’s written, your brain releases it.
Batch your thinking
Group tasks by energy type. Have “thinking days,” “delivery days,” and “recovery days.”
Your brain loves rhythm, not chaos.
Challenge your stories
That voice saying “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done”?
That’s not truth — that’s programming. Catch it, question it, and choose a better one.
Regulate, Don’t React
When your nervous system is in overdrive, your brain can’t think clearly.
Step outside. Breathe. Reconnect. It resets your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that
controls focus and calm.
My reality check
When I launched my business, A Fresh Approach, I was pregnant. I wrote my book Ultimate
Brain Hacks between 5am wake-ups, nap times, and client sessions. There were (and still
are!) moments I felt like my brain was scrambled eggs.
But what saved me wasn’t hustle, it was science. Understanding how the brain works gives
me permission to work with it, not against it. I stopped chasing balance and started
designing alignment.
Now, when I feel the mental load, I pause and ask:
“What really matters today?”
“What can wait?”
“What do I need to let go of?”
That’s how I reset my focus and my peace.
The reminder that you need
You don’t need to be superhuman. You just need a smarter system, and a little self-
compassion.
Your brain is the most powerful business tool you have. When you understand how it works,
you stop fighting yourself and start creating flow, in business, motherhood, and life.
So here’s your permission slip:
– Drop the guilt.
– Simplify the noise.
– And build a life that feels good inside your head, not just on paper.
Because you can have success and sanity, you just need the right brain hacks.