The Mental Load Trap That’s Quietly Breaking Your Connection: How the Holidays Turn You Into Roommates

Nov 26, 2025

41:30

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In this episode, Dr. Tracy and Greg explore what really happens to couples during the holiday season—the mental load, the invisible labour, the unspoken assumptions, and those moments when partners suddenly realize they feel more like roommates than a connected team. Dr. Tracy explains why the holidays create the perfect storm for disconnection, how stress triggers negative sentiment override, and why small moments like “Where’s the tape?” can feel disproportionately heavy on an already overloaded nervous system.

They walk listeners through the stories couples often fall into, the strain of increased emotional labour, and the cycle many partners get stuck in: one person carrying the invisible work, the other withdrawing, both feeling unseen. From there, they shift into what actually helps. They share their 10-minute daily connection ritual, the questions that foster emotional attunement, and how small, intentional actions can rebuild a sense of partnership.

If you’re moving through the holidays feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or like two ships passing in the night, this episode offers clarity on the deeper patterns at play—and practical, realistic steps to help you reconnect without needing more time.

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