The Invisible Load & How To Carry It Differently with Dr Libby
What are you carrying that no one else can see?
There is so much we carry in this work that no one else can see.
In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Libby to explore The Invisible Load: A Guide to Overcoming Stress and Overwhelm, and to give voice to something I see every day in big-hearted humans working in schools. So much of our work is visible, yet what shapes our experience often lies beneath the surface.
The thinking, the anticipating, the emotional load, and the pressure to be seen as capable, considerate and responsible. This is what many educators carry. Over time, it can begin to feel heavy. It can weigh on our hearts, our minds and our ability to keep showing up in ways that are hard to explain.
What stood out to me in this conversation is this. It’s not always what we carry that needs to change, but the way we carry it. The stories we tell ourselves, the expectations we hold, and the pressure we place on ourselves all shape how heavy that load feels.
This is not about doing less or caring less. It’s about finding small, realistic ways to support ourselves so we can continue to show up in a way that is sustainable. When we begin to notice and name the invisible load, we create the opportunity to carry it differently.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
What the invisible load is and why it feels so heavy
Why stress is not just about what is happening, but how we interpret it
How the pressure to be seen as capable, kind and responsible adds to the load
Simple ways to begin to carry the load differently and support your energy
And much more…
Who is Dr Libby?
Dr Libby Weaver (PhD) is a nutritional biochemist, bestselling author and speaker who has spent decades helping people better understand their bodies and their health. Known for her ability to translate complex science into simple, relatable insights, her work focuses on the connection between stress, nutrition, hormones and overall wellbeing.
Through her books, including The Invisible Load: A Guide to Overcoming Stress and Overwhelm and Rushing Woman’s Syndrome, Dr Libby explores the deeper drivers of how we think, feel and live. Her approach is both practical and compassionate, offering people the knowledge and tools to better support their energy, health and capacity in everyday life.
Why does this conversation matter?
If you’re a teacher carrying a lot right now, feeling stretched, depleted, and wondering if anyone truly sees what it takes to do your job, you are not alone. There is so much you hold each day that never makes it onto a to-do list. The emotional load, the constant decision making, the care for your students, and the pressure to keep showing up no matter how you feel. When that effort goes unrecognised or unacknowledged, it can start to feel heavy. It can leave you questioning your value, your impact, and whether it’s worth the energy it takes.
This conversation matters because it puts language to that experience. It helps you see that what you’re feeling makes sense, and that the weight you’re carrying is real. It also offers a way forward. Not by asking you to do more, but by helping you understand and support yourself in a more sustainable way. You deserve to feel valued, supported and able to keep showing up without it costing you so much.
You can quote us on that…
“What we carry each day might not change, but the way we carry it can.”
Dr Libby
“We care about others, but we also care what others think of us.”
Dr Libby
Contact
Dr Libby - Website | LinkedIn | Book | Instagram
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Your Questions Answered:
What is the invisible load in teaching?
The invisible load in teaching is the mental, emotional and physical weight educators carry that is not always seen. It includes constant planning, decision-making, anticipating students' needs, managing behaviour, and providing emotional support. It also includes the internal pressure to be organised, responsive and in control. What makes this load significant is that it continues beyond the classroom and is often unacknowledged, yet it shapes an educator’s energy, wellbeing and capacity to keep showing up each day.
Why are teachers feeling so overwhelmed?
Teachers are feeling overwhelmed due to a combination of increasing demands, emotional labour and internal expectations. Educators are often holding the needs of many students at once while trying to meet curriculum, behavioural and wellbeing expectations. Alongside this is the pressure to be seen as capable, caring and reliable, which can create ongoing stress even when there is no immediate crisis. Over time, this constant mental and emotional load can leave teachers feeling stretched, depleted and unable to fully switch off.
How can teachers reduce stress and avoid burnout?
Teachers can begin to reduce stress by first recognising the invisible load they are carrying and understanding what is contributing to it. From there, small and realistic shifts can make a meaningful difference. This might include setting clearer boundaries, prioritising basic needs like eating, resting and hydration, and noticing the internal pressure to say yes or to do more. It also involves questioning unhelpful expectations and finding ways to share or lighten the load where possible. The goal is not to do less, but to carry the work in a way that is more sustainable and supportive over time.
