Episode 147: The Toxic To-Do List ... Why You’re Mentally Fried and How to Rest

Episode 147: The Toxic To-Do List — Why You’re Mentally Fried and How to Rest 🎧 Part of the Summer of Real Rest series

Do you ever feel like you’re one more to-do away from a total shutdown?

In episode 147 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin dives into mental rest—what it is, why we’re so bad at getting it, and how decision fatigue is quietly draining your

energy. This is the episode for anyone who says they’re “fine” but can’t seem to think straight, slow down, or make a decision without spiraling.

🧠 You’ll hear:

• What mental rest actually is (and what it’s not)

• Why your to-do list feels toxic, even when it’s full of “normal” tasks

• The powerful insight from Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer on equivocal decisions

• How your brain is doing “moral math” on every choice you make—and burning out because of it

• A shoutout to KC Davis and her book How to Keep House While Drowning, and how we can stop assigning morality to everyday decisions

💬 Erin also shares real answers from the Medium Lady community on what’s keeping them from rest:

“The to-do list that never ends.” “I can’t rest when there’s always something left undone.” “Even thinking about resting makes me feel behind.”

✨ You’ll leave this episode with:

• A compassionate reframe of your mental fatigue

• A simple 5-minute practice to create white space in your mind

• A reminder that rest isn’t weakness—it’s how you return to yourself

💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.

 

This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 

 

🧡 If this episode resonates with you:

• Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement

• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know

• DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode

• Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time

Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 

Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.

The series starts here! 

Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!

 

Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):

Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER

Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One

Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two

Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 

 

Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile

 

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady
• Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
• Email: [e-mail] 
• Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
• Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Keywords: self-celebration, self-care, gratitude practice, personal development, positive psychology, burnout prevent