53. When Mental Load Leads to a Stand-Off | How to Move Forward When Your Partner Shuts Down cover art

53. When Mental Load Leads to a Stand-Off | How to Move Forward When Your Partner Shuts Down

53. When Mental Load Leads to a Stand-Off | How to Move Forward When Your Partner Shuts Down

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You finally brought up the mental load. You found the words. You mustered the courage. And then… nothing. Maybe they shut down. Maybe they pushed back. Maybe the conversation just fell flat.

In this powerful follow-up to our original Mental Load episode, we unpack what happens when that invisible labour finally gets named, but the conversation doesn’t land.

Whether you're met with defensiveness, silence, or a flat-out dismissal, this episode walks you through what to do when your partner isn’t ready to engage.

We cover:

  • What mental load really is (and how it differs from task load)

  • Why your partner might resist or shut down the conversation

  • How to zoom out and see the bigger system at play

  • Practical tools to move forward—even if you're carrying it alone for now

This isn’t about blame. It’s about building bridges, one small shift at a time. If you’ve ever said “I’ve tried to talk about it… but nothing changes,” this one’s for you.


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mental load, invisible labour, emotional load, relationship communication, partner shut down, defensiveness, resentment in marriage, repair tools, unspoken contracts, scorekeeping


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