If you'd rather eat a 5'x7' rug than have to figure out what to make for dinner again, you're not alone, my friend. But what if... hear me out... what if we're making this whole meal planning thing a lot harder than it has to be? That's what creator Evelyn Ngugi, also known as Evelyn From the Internets or @myinternetcousin on TikTok, thinks may be the case. In a recent video, she posits that Americans' tendency to want to globe-trot through a week of meals is making it way harder to shop and cook than it should be.
Brain fog can happen to anyone and it's not a personal failing or a sign that you're not coping. Often, it's simply your brain's way of saying it's tired, stressed or overstretched. Remind yourself that brain fog is usually temporary and it's okay to slow down, delegate tasks or ask for help when you need it. If you are concerned then you should contact your GP.
A few days ago, my partner and I received a shopping voucher worth 500K rupiah ($30). At first, it felt exciting. We already had a plan: both of us needed new denim pants, and this voucher would cover it. We agreed on one rule, the total spend shouldn't go beyond 20% above the voucher's value. Simple enough, right? Two days later, after walking through malls, checking store after store, and chasing discounts, we found ourselves exhausted and frustrated.