Why Everything Feels Like A Chore As A Single Mum

Why Everything Feels Like A Chore As A Single Mum

When Even Making a Cup of Tea Feels Like Climbing a Mountain

If you’ve ever looked at a sink full of dishes and thought, “Nope. Not today,” you’re not alone. Being a single parent turns even simple tasks into a full-on emotional workout. And it’s not because you’re lazy. It’s because you’re carrying more than one person was ever meant to carry.

Your Brain Never Clocks Out

When you’re the only adult in the house, your brain never switches off. You’re the chief organiser, bill payer, cleaner, cook, emotional support system, and life manager. Even when you’re not doing anything, your brain is doing everything.

Sometimes the mental load is heavier than the actual chores.

No Partner To Pass The Baton To

Other parents can pass the baton. You can’t. There’s no tag team. No backup. No default second adult who picks up the slack. That alone makes everything feel heavier—even the quick stuff.

Your Body Is Tired, But Your Brain Is More Tired

When you’re holding up your whole household emotionally, even washing a mug can feel like climbing Mount Everest. It’s not the task you’re tired of—it’s the everything that came before the task.

Survival Mode Makes Life Heavier

Especially if you’ve come out of a toxic or narcissistic relationship, your nervous system may still be in survival mode. That state makes everyday life feel harder than it technically is, because your body hasn’t switched out of danger-mode yet.

Rest Isn’t Rest When You’re On Call

Most of the time, your “rest” isn’t real rest. You’re still on call. Still alert. Still thinking, planning, worrying. Rest doesn’t count if your brain is still working.

You Are Literally A One-Person Team

Of course you’re tired. Anyone would be. You’re basically handling a double shift with no clock-out time and no co-worker to hand things over to.

It’s Not Laziness—It’s Load

You’re not unmotivated. You’re not failing. You’re carrying a life. That’s heavy. And you’re still doing it—every day.

Give yourself credit. Give yourself grace. And if everything feels like a chore, that’s not a personal flaw. That’s reality when you’re running the whole show.

Save This For Yourself 💙

Keywords (copy these into labels):

single parent burnout, mental load, single mum exhaustion, chores feel heavy, emotional labor, single parent overwhelm