Do you know how heavy your invisible load is as a mom, whether your work happens inside the home or outside of it? Because let's face it, work is work, no matter where it happens. And all that mental juggling you do that no one else sees, acknowledges, or thanks you for is some of the most draining work of all.
In this episode, I sit down with my good friend and dear colleague Michelle Massi, a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience treating OCD and OC-related disorders, to unpack exactly that. We start with a question that changes how you see everything: why do we call it a "working mom" when we never say "working dad"? From there we get into what the invisible load actually looks like day to day, why guilt shows up so differently for moms than it does for dads, and why self-care isn't optional. It's self-maintenance.
This is a conversation for every mama who has ever felt like she's doing it all and it's still not enough.
Here’s what we get into:
Why we say "working mom" but never "working dad." Michelle and I trace where that double standard comes from and why society still measures a mother's worth by whether she's bringing money home.
What the invisible load actually looks like. From planning vacations to remembering registration deadlines to stocking groceries before a trip, we name the mental tasks that go unseen and unthanked.
Why moms carry guilt that dads simply don't. We talk through why a golf trip doesn't cost a dad a second thought, while a girls' trip can feel like an act that needs justifying.
Self-care versus self-maintenance. I explain why I've stopped using the word self-care with my clients and why thinking of it as maintenance changes how seriously you take it.
Practical ways to start unloading. Michelle shares what actually helps: asking directly instead of expecting your partner to read your mind, setting real boundaries, building community, and letting your kids build independence through things like sittervising.
About Michelle Massi
Michelle Massi is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience treating obsessive-compulsive disorder and OC spectrum related disorders. She runs a group private practice in Los Angeles, California, specializing in cognitive behavior therapy to help children, teens, and adults manage OCD, OC spectrum disorders, and other anxiety related challenges.
Website: https://anxietytherapyla.com/
Instagram: @anxietytherapyla
Connect with Dr. Yip
Instagram: @drjennyyip
Website: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/
The Stress-Less™ Mama Masterclass: https://dryip.com/the-stress-less-life/masterclass/
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You're not alone, mama. You don't have to do it all. The goal isn't to be perfect. It's to be present, living a Stress-Less Life with science, intentional boundaries, and a whole lot of compassion.
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