I like this reframing! Meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking are among my least favorite activities, but there is a kind of simple pleasure in it (some of the time). ;)
Over time, I fell in love with grocery shopping. I find it helpful to saving money (love deals and bogos) and because my partner is not a fan, it’s one of those division-of-labor joys that can soften and warm hearts.
yes to this. My reason for hating all the prep and cooking and thinking about what to make comes from years of hearing from hubs and sons as soon as they walked in the door, even if I had also worked a full day "what's for dinner?". I absolutely hated the question and hated having to come up with something quick. Now that there is just me and my youngest son, I have actually started really cooking much better. I have an extensive, some may say ridiculous recipe collection that I just spent days organizing. I finally decided to try some and although it was almost always a lengthy procedure, the food has turned out amazing. But I have the time that many do not have. It has made me try new flavors and not rely on the old standards of easy fattening casseroles. Now my spice drawer is bulging, and my condiment shelf in the fridge is full...magic can happen!
I love this - it's great to remember that chores can change and evolve. What was once a drag can become a celebration! The time thing is what gets me. I like to go to bed early, so I always feel rushed in the evening to get dinner made, eaten, and cleaned up. I probably need to be better about meal prepping. Maybe one day!
Developing the go-tos is key. I've always thought if I could get to 30, that would easily handle a year (12 puttanesca nights, 12 buttered salmon nights, 12 burger nights etc.). I've stalled on about 8.
LOVED THIS! I think it's all about enjoying the journey rather than rushing to the destination. In busy season (like right now) I try to plan ahead – meal prep a bunch of individual ingredients that I can throw together in a few different variations throughout the week. I still have to take the time to plan, shop, prep, cook BUT I do it on the weekend when I have a few hours, I put on a good playlist and I make it an activity that I really look forward to.
It's amazing how you frequently seem to write exactly what I need to hear Chrissy! Thank you for this. And, yes, cooking long, complex meals is slow, but it's where so many family memories are made! I applaud you for slowing down. I'll strive to join you a bit.
In my current slow time this has been a real focus for me! Stop rushing to the next thing and enjoy what you’re doing right now. Love your work Chrissy!
I love this! I've recently come to the realization that no matter how much I do, I always feel like I need to be doing more (in pretty much all areas of my life), but I'm not even sure to what end I'm doing all this "doing"! This post gave me a lot to think about.
I like this reframing! Meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking are among my least favorite activities, but there is a kind of simple pleasure in it (some of the time). ;)
Over time, I fell in love with grocery shopping. I find it helpful to saving money (love deals and bogos) and because my partner is not a fan, it’s one of those division-of-labor joys that can soften and warm hearts.
I actually really love the shopping part! It's the cooking that gets to me. Luckily my husband handles clean up duty.
Me too 😊: https://youtube.com/shorts/aSTdKqOxNIM?si=BkzbV5YEHwx7opdZ
yes to this. My reason for hating all the prep and cooking and thinking about what to make comes from years of hearing from hubs and sons as soon as they walked in the door, even if I had also worked a full day "what's for dinner?". I absolutely hated the question and hated having to come up with something quick. Now that there is just me and my youngest son, I have actually started really cooking much better. I have an extensive, some may say ridiculous recipe collection that I just spent days organizing. I finally decided to try some and although it was almost always a lengthy procedure, the food has turned out amazing. But I have the time that many do not have. It has made me try new flavors and not rely on the old standards of easy fattening casseroles. Now my spice drawer is bulging, and my condiment shelf in the fridge is full...magic can happen!
I love this - it's great to remember that chores can change and evolve. What was once a drag can become a celebration! The time thing is what gets me. I like to go to bed early, so I always feel rushed in the evening to get dinner made, eaten, and cleaned up. I probably need to be better about meal prepping. Maybe one day!
Developing the go-tos is key. I've always thought if I could get to 30, that would easily handle a year (12 puttanesca nights, 12 buttered salmon nights, 12 burger nights etc.). I've stalled on about 8.
I currently have 4 go-tos. Clearly I need to expand my collection!
Alison Roman's buttered salmon (on Substack): https://anewsletter.alisoneroman.com/p/salmon-caper-video
LOVED THIS! I think it's all about enjoying the journey rather than rushing to the destination. In busy season (like right now) I try to plan ahead – meal prep a bunch of individual ingredients that I can throw together in a few different variations throughout the week. I still have to take the time to plan, shop, prep, cook BUT I do it on the weekend when I have a few hours, I put on a good playlist and I make it an activity that I really look forward to.
I need to find a way to make meal prep an EVENT and not a chore. Thanks for the inspiration!
Yes! Romanticize it!!!
It's amazing how you frequently seem to write exactly what I need to hear Chrissy! Thank you for this. And, yes, cooking long, complex meals is slow, but it's where so many family memories are made! I applaud you for slowing down. I'll strive to join you a bit.
Let's be slow together! And thanks for reading - it means a lot that you take the time. :)
I love this — and have been thinking about this same topic a lot lately!
Space, presence, and serendipity are beautiful things. (As is that chunk of smiling burrata.) Thanks!
Burrata makes everything better.
In my current slow time this has been a real focus for me! Stop rushing to the next thing and enjoy what you’re doing right now. Love your work Chrissy!
I love that you're taking the time to slow down and treat yourself - you deserve it more than most!
I love this! I've recently come to the realization that no matter how much I do, I always feel like I need to be doing more (in pretty much all areas of my life), but I'm not even sure to what end I'm doing all this "doing"! This post gave me a lot to think about.
We love a good existential crisis here at So Relatable! It might seem cliche, but the present moment is really where it's at.