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In this week’s newsletter

My Motherkind podcast episode

International Women’s Day: 3 game-changing survival strategies for working mums

Catch up:

This week’s email is a day later than normal- apologies, the sunshine this weekend was just too good to be missed! Today’s email focuses on how you can successfully reduce the mental load both at work and at home with 3 game changing survival strategies you can start to use today. Read on to find out more.

But, before then, ICYMI: I was recently featured on the Motherkind podcast talking about maternal burnout. This was a very emotional and special podcast for me. I’ve linked it below if you would like to listen to it!

Becoming a Phoenix, part 11

International Women’s Day just happened, and while we should be celebrating progress, let’s be honest- it’s hard to pop the champagne when the UK just got slapped with its worst ranking for workplace gender equality in a decade (yep, really). The pay gap is still gaping, childcare costs are through the roof, and somehow, despite doing it all, we’re still told to “lean in” (or whatever the latest corporate nonsense is).

If you’re a working mum, this isn’t news. You’ve already been living the daily battle of juggling 52 things at once while your boss or colleagues question your “commitment” for simply leaving on time to collect your kids.

However, whilst we desperately need systemic change to help mothers in the workplace, at the same time we have to be brutally realistic. Change takes a very long time, and you need strategies that work right now, so that you can avoid burnout.

So, here are three ruthlessly practical, slightly unhinged, but highly effective ways to stay sane in a system that simply isn’t built for us.

1. Master the art of strategic underachievement

Not everything in your life needs or deserves 110% effort. Done is better than perfect. The goal here isn’t to slack off—it’s to conserve energy for the things that actually matter.

• Prioritise like a CEO: Do the actual important stuff first. Everything else? It can wait, delegate, or disappear into the email void.

• Meetings? Challenge them. Does it really need to happen, or is it just another “quick sync” that will steal 45 minutes of your life? Push back when you can.

• Take stealth breaks: A brisk walk to the kitchen, a bathroom break that lasts an extra two minutes—micro-moments of rebellion keep you sane. As a doctor, an extra couple of minutes in the toilet is often the only time I’m not disturbed in my working day!

This isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about doing only what’s necessary, to an acceptable standard, and letting go of the rest. Work smarter, not harder.

2. Outsource the mental load like a Fortune 500 CEO

Instead of asking for help (which we all know can be hit-or-miss), give people jobs they can’t say no to:

• Kids: If your kids are old enough, find age appropriate tasks that you can delegate- such as helping to make their packed lunches, bringing the washing in, or putting their clothes away.

• Partner: Instead of the vague “I need more help,” go with “You’re now in charge of all school-related emails.” (or whatever you need to let go of!)

• Tech: If a task can be automated or assisted by AI, lean into it! Technology is your best friend. I use AI to help me with a wide variety of tasks in my business (the person to follow on this is Helena di Biase via her new AI educational platform- here’s the link, thank me later!).

Mental space is precious real estate. Stop giving it away for free.

3. Set email boundaries so strong they could hold up a suspension bridge

If your work-life balance currently looks like a bad Jenga tower, it’s time to make your boundaries crystal clear—starting with your inbox. Creating good boundaries prevents your work life encroaching onto your home life.

Try something like this for your out-of-office reply:

"Thanks for your message. I’m currently offline and will respond during my working hours. If your email is urgent please contact [insert appropriate alternative]"

If you work flexibly, then I’ve seen some really lovely out of office replies/email footers where people explain that they might email outside of normal working hours, but that it’s their choice and they don’t expect others to do the same.

The goal? Make people think twice before expecting you to be always on. Because you’re not, and you shouldn’t have to be.

So, this week, I challenge you to:
✔ Do less and see what happens (spoiler: the world won’t end)
✔ Hand over at least one annoying mental load task
✔ Set a new boundary

Further reading:

• UK awarded its lowest ranking for workplace gender equality in a decade. (2025, March 3). The Guardian. (Read it here)

• 24 Wellness Tips For Busy Moms. The Matrescence. (Read it here)

• My book, The Burnout Doctor, has a comprehensive section on how to successfully implement boundaries at work.

Have a wonderful week,

Claire

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