Article 2: Examples of Invisible Labor
Introduction Invisible labor is the unseen work that goes into making life run smoothly, and it's one of the most underestimated parts of the mental load. Even when no physical tasks are being done, the mental wheels are always turning. Invisible labor is often ignored because it doesn’t leave a physical trace, yet it is essential and demanding.
What Counts as Invisible Labor? Invisible labor includes all the mental tracking, emotional care, and background organizing that needs to happen before any task gets done. Think of making dinner. Before anything hits the pan, someone has to decide what's being cooked, check ingredients, plan around schedules, and maybe even prep the night before. That’s invisible labor.
Other examples include:
Anticipating everyone’s needs
Keeping track of upcoming appointments and school events
Remembering who likes what foods or has certain allergies
Mentally organizing chores and family routines
Noticing what's running low in the pantry or household supplies
Keeping a mental list of to-dos for the week
Even something as simple as packing for a trip can involve dozens of mental steps: checking the weather, planning outfits, thinking through toiletries, entertainment, snacks, chargers — and that’s just for the kids.
Why Is It Invisible? It's invisible because it happens inside the mind. Often, it’s only noticed when it doesn’t happen — when something is forgotten or missed. If a child shows up to school without a lunch or a field trip form isn’t signed, that’s when the absence of invisible labor becomes obvious.
And while men can and do participate in some forms of invisible labor, women tend to carry a significantly larger share, especially when it comes to family life and household responsibilities. They often remember not just the big picture, but all the tiny, nuanced details about each person in the family.
Real-Life Illustration Imagine a mom, who’s planning her child’s birthday party. She’s thinking about themes, guest lists, allergies, thank-you notes, decorations, and how it fits into the rest of the week. None of this has been spoken aloud yet — but it’s all already happening in her mind.
Reflection Prompt Can you list three things your partner is probably thinking about that you haven’t noticed? What invisible labor is happening around you right now?
Conclusion Invisible labor is the background noise of family life — always there, always needed, and often overlooked. By becoming aware of it, you can start to see the full picture of what your partner carries daily and begin finding ways to share the burden.