Lighten Your Mental Load by Amy Thornton

Lighten Your Mental Load shares real stories of what carrying a mental load is like for both men and women across the globe and how it originated.

a quick chat with the author:

Amy Thornton has been battling the mental load for over 29 years. She took some time out of her schedule to chat with us about the inspiration behind her newest book.

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Amy, what made you write a book about lightening the mental load?

I was first introduced to the term “mental load” thanks to the French cartoonist, Emma, back in 2017. When I saw her brilliant drawings and dialogue about what so many women are carrying these days, I felt both anger and relief! Anger because the world still expects women to manage both home AND work responsibilities mostly by themselves. Relief because someone FINALLY came up with a term for what millions of women are carrying mentally, physically, and emotionally every day.

Previously, I had been handling the mental load fairly well. But then my mother moved to an assisted living facility five minutes from my home in December of 2016. Suddenly I was in the “sandwich generation” – taking care of my home, family, and work and my elderly parent. Suddenly I couldn’t continue the juggling act anymore!

When I tried to find a book about how to handle it all, I discovered many articles, but not one comprehensive self-help guide. I thought, “Wait a minute… I can write one!” Thus, How to Lighten Your Mental Load was born.

I hope that this book helps women around the globe decrease their mental labor to be the best versions of themselves. I know the mental load affects some men, but let’s face it – most people carrying it are women.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

In addition to being an author, I’m a grant consultant. I help various non-profits look and apply for grant opportunities. I’ve been a grant professional for over 18 years now and love it. I get to use my writing skills every day!

What genre do you write and why?

 Lately it’s been self-help, which is kind of funny to me because I fell into it by accident! I signed up for a course on how to get your book published in the summer of 2017.  I had written novels in the past that had been self-published. I wanted to connect with a real publisher that year.

Right before the course started, I realized it was for non-fiction writers! I could have gotten my money back and not taken the course, but while walking my dogs one evening, the idea for Joy to You and Me! (At Work) popped into my head. I took the course, wrote the book, and was picked up by my publisher, Tell-Tale Publishing, in early 2018.

What is your next project?

 My next project will be a compilation of articles from my column, “Sandwiched” which has run in our local newspaper for 18 months now. It will help those of us in the sandwich generation with helpful tips, information, and stories to help us all feel not so alone. The average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works and takes care of her family and at least one elderly parent. That’s me exactly!

Thank you Amy for taking the time out to share with my community! Here are all the details on her new book, Lighten Your Mental Load.