С меня хватит!

January 27, 2026

This photo project is about women’s exhaustion from domestic life and permission to rest.

In a world with extensive research on “invisible labor, ” society still expects perfection from women. The “second shift, ” mental load, unseen and emotional labor, and parental burnout — all of this is stigmatized and not openly discussed.

A flourishing, resting woman is met with disapproval, as well as endless questioning.
В своем проекте я говорю о том, что женщина имеет право на отдых, переключение, общение с подругами.
Проект через визуальный язык показывает женщину, которая имеет право сказать: “С меня хватит!”. Она не должна объяснять, почему она устала. Она устала и имеет право на отдых. Это не агрессивное высказывание, как в фильме с Майклом Дугласом, а возможность использовать свое право на свое время.

— Mom!

I wake up to little hands tugging at my nose, ears, and hair. Persistent fingers pry open one eye. With a groan of disappointment, I open the other, which is immediately pierced by the poke of my child’s tiny finger. I force a smile, because my little one is not to blame. A landslide of plans for the day washes over my mind, sweeping away rational thoughts about needing a break.

С меня хватит!. Natalya Konteyeva photographer

I love Gursky’s “Rhein II.” It hangs in my kitchen, and I just stand there, staring at it. A bell rings in my head: “What did I want to do? What am I even doing here?”

— “Mom!”— a demanding shout, and I startle, remembering— breakfast, I have to make breakfast.

The refrigerator looks at me with the indifference of a machine. It needs cleaning, and I should probably make a grocery list too.

—“Mom, is a cat smarter than a dog?”— I hope, distractedly.

Make porridge. Wash the dishes. What the hell is with all the dishes in the sink again? Did I even eat yesterday? What did I eat? What should I make today?

— “Mom, in the cartoon…” I nod and smile.

The main thing is to say “amazing” on time, then I’m a good mother, then I’m attentive. Damn porridge almost burned.

My Rhine II is filling up at the speed of an avalanche: walk with the child, cook, clean, I would like to read and take a bath. I think I already stink. or is it a damn mess? God, what is this stain on the T-shirt? you need to unload and reload the washing machine. Thanks for the invention, and I could use a couple more hands. Is he crying again? hit? crap. If he breaks his leg while I’m cleaning up the mess, will I get custody? Last week, a friend came into custody because her daughter hit her head on the corner of the table.

So, what did I want? dishes. I need to wash the dishes and make a grocery list

Dishes…

is that the child’s plate? No, I washed it yesterday. Mine? Did I have dinner yesterday? No. I was putting him to bed for so long that I fell asleep in the nursery with him, to the rumbling of a hungry stomach. My husband? Probably. The older child? Maybe.

Blind rage hammers at my temples. Inhale-exhale. I’m a good mother, I don’t lose it. I need to get a manicure…

— Mom! Look— my drawing! — Brilliant. You have talent.

It seems there’s a saying: “Bury me under the skirting board.” Or is it a book? A movie?

— Mom, I’m hungry!

Again? When did I make breakfast? Oh my god. We haven’t even gone for a walk and it’s already lunchtime. I was supposed to take him for a walk. Inhale-exhale. I’ve become so weepy lately.

Wipe away the tears — I can’t cry in front of the child. I’m a good mother.

It’s good I finally found time for a walk. I also got groceries. And the little one is tired. I’m sleepy. I might lie down before the older child gets home from school… damn.

Did I even make lunch? Yes, I definitely did. A nap sounds good…

I wonder if my husband will help the older one with homework today? Just sleep…

Why is the baby moaning in their sleep? I didn’t pay enough attention, a bad dream, something hurts… Just go to sleep already!

— Mom. There, I dozed off.