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.

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?

It’s so tough when something that used to feel like a cozy little escape suddenly turns into a source of stress. That pressure to be perfect can sneak up on you, especially when you’re doing it for the people you love. I had a phase where even my favorite hobby felt like a chore because I was trying too hard to make it “just right.” What helped me was giving myself permission to totally drop the expectations - sometimes that meant ordering takeout or making something super simple without guilt.

Maybe it’s less about the cooking itself and more about the mental load you’re carrying. If you can, try to carve out a tiny moment just for you before dinner starts - whether it’s a quick walk, a few deep breaths, or even just sitting quietly with a cup of tea. That little reset might help ease the overwhelm bit by bit.

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?

It’s so frustrating when something that used to feel like a cozy, rewarding ritual suddenly turns into a source of stress. The pressure to be perfect with meals can sneak up on you and make the whole process feel like a chore instead of a joy. I’ve been there with hobbies that used to feel effortless but then got tangled up in expectations.

One thing that helped me was giving myself permission to totally let go of “perfect” and just do whatever felt easiest - even if that meant ordering takeout a few nights or making super simple meals without any fuss. Sometimes stepping back like that helps reset your brain and reminds you why you loved it in the first place. No shame in taking a break or changing the routine until it feels fun again.

Also, it might be worth checking in with yourself about what’s going on beyond cooking - sometimes anxiety shows up in one area even when nothing obvious has shifted. You’re definitely not alone in this, and it