For the past few weeks, I've been feeling really anxious every time I think about making dinner for my family. Cooking used to be my happy place - a way to unwind after work and show love to my husband and kids. But lately, I find myself procrastinating and feeling overwhelmed just deciding what to make. I've tried simplifying meals and even prepping in advance, but the dread doesn't go away.

It's weird because nothing in our family routine has changed much, and everyone still enjoys my cooking. I just can’t shake this pressure to make everything perfect, and it’s starting to affect my mood in the evenings. I’m hoping to understand why this sudden shift happened and if anyone else has felt this way about something they once loved.

Has anyone experienced a sudden drop in joy for an activity that used to bring comfort? How did you manage to reconnect with it or find peace with the change?

On 02/09/2026 at 7:55 AM, she58 said:

For the past few weeks, I've been feeling really anxious every time I think about making dinner for my family. Cooking used to be my happy place - a way to unwind after work and show love to my husband and kids. But lately, I find myself procrastinating and feeling overwhelmed just deciding what to make. I've tried simplifying meals and even prepping in advance, but the dread doesn't go away.

It's weird because nothing in our family routine has changed much, and everyone still enjoys my cooking. I just can’t shake this pressure to make everything perfect, and it’s starting to affect my mood in the evenings. I’m hoping to understand why this sudden shift happened and if anyone else has felt this way about something they once loved.

Has anyone experienced a sudden drop in joy for an activity that used to bring comfort? How did you manage to reconnect with it or find peace with the change?

That shift from joy to dread sounds really tough, especially when cooking was your go-to way to relax and connect. Sometimes, even things we love can start feeling like chores when the pressure to be perfect sneaks in. Maybe it’s less about the cooking itself and more about how you’re feeling overall - like there’s an invisible weight making everything harder.

One thing that helped me when I hit a similar slump was giving myself permission to completely drop expectations for a while. Ordering takeout or making super simple meals without guilt helped me breathe again and reminded me why I liked cooking in the first place. It’s okay to step back and just be kind to yourself through this. You’re definitely not alone in this feeling.