Why Putting The Milk In The Cupboard Is Actually Normal (Burnout Edition)

Your Brain Is Running On Low Battery

You know when your phone hits 1% and starts doing weird shit? Congratulations, your brain is doing the same. When you’re burnt out, your brain literally can’t track basic steps, so it starts misplacing obvious things. Milk in the cupboard, keys in the fridge, kettle with no water—yep, welcome to exhaustion town.

Your Brain Is Prioritising Survival, Not Logic

When you’re drained, your brain stops filing thoughts properly. It’s too busy doing the big stuff: panic, stress, responsibility, survival mode. So the “put milk in the fridge” file gets… lost somewhere near “screw it I need a nap.”

Mental Load = Zero Spare Brain Space

Single parent + healing + running a household + remembering every damn thing = cognitive overload. Your brain is juggling too many tabs. Something is gonna glitch. Spoiler: the milk pays the price.

Burnout Makes You Forget The Obvious

Everyone thinks burnout = tired. Actually burnout = brain fog, forgetfulness, spacing out, feeling like your brain has left the chat. You’re not stupid. You’re exhausted.

This Happens When Your Nervous System Is Done

Fight-or-flight mode steals your attention. It’s scanning for stress, not fridges. So your brain goes “milk? cupboard? sure good enough.” Honestly your brain is just doing its best with zero fuel.

So No, You’re Not Losing It

You’re not going crazy. You’re not “scatterbrained.” You’re burnt out. Your system is overloaded and your brain is trying to survive the day, not organise dairy products with Michelin-star accuracy.

Laugh it off. Drink water. And put your feet up… after you rescue the milk.

Save This For Yourself 💚

Keywords:

burnout symptoms, milk in cupboard, brain fog, single parent burnout, exhaustion signs, nervous system fatigue