The Modern Working Mother's Dilemma: Everyone First, Suitcase Last

Because packing shouldn't mean planning everyone else's lives first

The familiar scene unfolds. You're about to head off for a work trip, staring at an empty suitcase, yet your mind is racing through everyone else's needs before your own. Sound familiar?

The Reality Check

Packing your suitcase for a work trip should be simple.

Just pack your essentials, check your schedule and travel plans, and leave home.

But for so many mums and wives, even with grown children, it's never that straightforward.

Before we can think about ourselves, we're ticking off invisible to-do lists for everyone else.

Shopping, planning meals, sorting washing, ironing—it's all part of the preparation before we even touch our own packing.

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The Question That Needs Asking

Why do we still do this?

It's not because our families can't manage without us.

They're adults (or nearly there), perfectly capable of looking after themselves.

Yet, the instinct to nurture, to ensure things run smoothly even when we're not around, is deeply ingrained.

It's as if the role of a mother and wife comes with an unwritten contract: "Your care is constant, even in your absence."

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Understanding The Mental Load

This is the mental load that so many women carry—a hidden weight that goes beyond physical tasks.

It's the planning, the worrying, the invisible threads we weave to hold everything together.

And often, we do it without question, because it feels like love in action.

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Time For Change

While this devotion is admirable, it can also be exhausting!

It's okay to ask why we're still carrying the full load, especially when we're not at home.

Why do we feel the need to make everything seamless for everyone else while sacrificing our own energy and time?

And more importantly, is it time to start letting go of some of that responsibility?

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A New Perspective

Maybe it's about reminding yourself that things don't need to be perfect while you're away.

The world won't end if the laundry piles up or dinner isn't organised.

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As women, we often forget that it's okay to prioritise ourselves—our careers, our well-being, our sanity.

So, next time you're packing for a work trip, consider leaving some of the mental load behind.

You've done enough. And maybe, just maybe, it's time for everyone else to step up.

Because the truth is, the family will manage. And you? You deserve the peace of mind to focus on your own journey, guilt-free.

Share your thoughts in the comments below: How do you handle the pre-trip mental load? What strategies have worked for you?

Claire x