The Mental Load Diaries: How I learned to juggle life, love and the neverending to-do list

‘A reassuring manifesto on the role of women today’ - Dawn O’Porter

‘This book - and Cat Sims generally - helps me to breathe a bit easier. My shoulders drop, my jaw relaxes, and I know everything is going to be OK.’ - Bryony Gordon

‘The kind of book that makes you want to high five the author.’ - Cherry Healey

‘The only book you need to save mind, body, life, soul and marriage. Just. Could. Not. Put. Down.’ - Anna Whitehouse

The mental load isn’t just about doing all the stuff. The mental load is constantly thinking about having to do all the stuff, and then, when you forget to do some of the stuff, the mental load is also about beating yourself up about that, while still trying to keep in mind all the other stuff you’ve got to do.

In The Mental Load Diaries, writer, content creator, podcaster, wife and mum Cat Sims describes the devastating impact the mental load had on her own happiness, mental health and marriage.

With eye-opening honesty and her trademark dry humour, Cat offers a blunt but ultimately hopeful appraisal of society and women’s experience of it.

This necessary book will incite honest conversation, make you feel less alone and give you the confidence to invite your loved ones to share the mental load.

© 2025 Simon & Schuster Audio UK (Audiobook): 9781398549425

Release date

Audiobook: 3 July 2025