u/JamQueen1

So, I think I am facing cooking burnout while living alone. I do not know if it is the summer heat, or the crazy past few weeks I have had (in which case it would just be non specific burnout) or maybe my body is finally calling it quits. BUT I need a new way to handle the cooking process. Maybe I am being ridiculous, because when I google Cooking Burnout I see chefs, and mothers of two million children (don't come for me about this) complaining, not a person cooking for themself living alone. I am thinking I need to scale back, and the exhaustion is showing on me with more frequent kitchen accidents...

It's something about Saturday grocery shopping, Sunday meal plan then prep, leaves me drained for the incoming week. I like cooking, I think, I enjoy a good home cooked meal, I love trying new cuisines at home and I think home cooking keeps me healthier - as someone needing to lose a few pounds, but lugging the grocery home, putting it away, keeping inventory, thawing, managing what is about to go bad, creating recipes to use it, slotting it in to my weekend responsibilities, cleaning up afterwards, has become too much. Then midway through I am tired of my own cooking. I do not want to see that stew again after 3 meals, but I do not know that until after 3 meals and end up freezing it in a sub optimal state.

(It's at this point I am thinking that this post has no structure, nor rhyme or reason, but I fear if I go back to reshuffle it then I will decide not to post and I do not want to do this because I value your opinions).

Based on a recent move, I live in an area where groceries are within walkable distance, good quality too. I grew up monthly shopping to align with payday, but I want to maybe lower the stakes for myself. What if I went grocery shopping every 3 days, no prior decision, just a casual stroll in after lunch, what do I want for the next 3 days, in and out. Now I would lose some bulk purchase benefits, but if that is what this season of my life requires maybe I am ok with this? Or am I? Ask me again after the next time I budget.

But has there been anyone who tried that approach? No bulk shop, 3 days in mind - maybe if I go get fruits and veggies a week of stuff, and also basic meat staples also on hand, so if it rains I am not forced to go trudge through for food. But also, if fruits and meats are now weekly, then why am I going to supermarket every 3 days? But the thought of every week shopping feels oddly overwhelming in a way that every 3 days doesn't?

Has anyone been in this situation before?

So, I think I am facing cooking burnout while living alone. I do not know if it is the summer heat, or the crazy past few weeks I have had (in which case it would just be non specific burnout) or maybe my body is finally calling it quits. BUT I need a new way to handle the cooking process. Maybe I am being ridiculous, because when I google Cooking Burnout I see chefs, and mothers of two million children (don't come for me about this) complaining, not a person cooking for themself living alone. I am thinking I need to scale back, and the exhaustion is showing on me with more frequent kitchen accidents...

It's something about Saturday grocery shopping, Sunday meal plan then prep, leaves me drained for the incoming week. I like cooking, I think, I enjoy a good home cooked meal, I love trying new cuisines at home and I think home cooking keeps me healthier - as someone needing to lose a few pounds, but lugging the grocery home, putting it away, keeping inventory, thawing, managing what is about to go bad, creating recipes to use it, slotting it in to my weekend responsibilities, cleaning up afterwards, has become too much. Then midway through I am tired of my own cooking. I do not want to see that stew again after 3 meals, but I do not know that until after 3 meals and end up freezing it in a sub optimal state.

(It's at this point I am thinking that this post has no structure, nor rhyme or reason, but I fear if I go back to reshuffle it then I will decide not to post and I do not want to do this because I value your opinions).

Based on a recent move, I live in an area where groceries are within walkable distance, good quality too. I grew up monthly shopping to align with payday, but I want to maybe lower the stakes for myself. What if I went grocery shopping every 3 days, no prior decision, just a casual stroll in after lunch, what do I want for the next 3 days, in and out. Now I would lose some bulk purchase benefits, but if that is what this season of my life requires maybe I am ok with this? Or am I? Ask me again after the next time I budget.

But has there been anyone who tried that approach? No bulk shop, 3 days in mind - maybe if I go get fruits and veggies a week of stuff, and also basic meat staples also on hand, so if it rains I am not forced to go trudge through for food. But also, if fruits and meats are now weekly, then why am I going to supermarket every 3 days? But the thought of every week shopping feels oddly overwhelming in a way that every 3 days doesn't?

Has anyone been in this situation before?