How I Reduced My Mental Load (and You Can Too)
Running a household is a 24/7 experience—and for many women, the invisible mental load is constant. Over the past eighteen months, I’ve worked intentionally to lessen that load and free up space in my working memory. The result? Better focus, less stress, and more mental clarity.
One of our family’s most helpful tools? Alexa reminders. They offload the need to remember small, recurring tasks and keep our daily rhythm on track. In our household, Alexa reminds us to:
Wake up
Take medicine
Head to the bus stop
Pack swim bags for practice
Hop in the car
I also have Alexa send these reminders to my phone as text messages—helpful when I need to circle back to something later in the day. Alexa also adds items directly to our grocery list, and when a purchase is necessary, she can add it to our Amazon cart. (We’ve worked to reduce impulse purchases, but when something’s essential, it’s easy to capture it in the moment.) I have Alexa synced with my iPhone calendar so that it announces reminders for events.
Another mental-load hack I love? Scheduled emails. If I need to notify the school about a transportation change or an upcoming absence, I write the email when I think of it and schedule it to send on the appropriate day. It’s one less thing to remember later.
If I have a question for the pediatrician, I note it directly on the calendar appointment for the next well visit. I also make a habit of scheduling the next medical appointment while I’m still in the office—one less follow-up to remember. All of our medications are on auto refill and deliver. When I do have a reminder that is time blocked I put it directly onto my calendar for that time so I can’t forget it.
I also follow the “two-minute rule”—if a task takes less than two minutes, I do it immediately. This keeps things from piling up and boosts my efficiency. Similarly, I stick to the “touch it once” principle: when I bring in the mail, I open it directly over the trash or recycling, and anything that needs attention gets filed or handled right away.
I rely on routines to keep our household flowing. We run the dishwasher every night, no matter how full it is, and empty it every morning. This keeps dishes from piling up and sets the tone for an organized day. I'm also working with my kids to load their own dishes directly into the dishwasher—a small habit that makes a big difference.
Each morning, I run with a friend on the W&OD Trail. It’s built into my routine and helps me start the day with energy and momentum—before the mental load of work and family responsibilities starts to build.
One last strategy: visual cues. I place all errand-related items—returns, library books, dry cleaning—straight into my minivan. If something’s riding in the passenger seat, it becomes a visual to-do list. I’ll do just about anything to eliminate that visual clutter quickly.
Looking for hands-on support with home systems that reduce your mental load?
Sort It Out offers professional organizing services throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. From household routines to clutter-free systems, we help busy families create calm, functional spaces that support everyday life.
Let’s lighten the load—together.
