Quote from Lily Whitmore on July 25, 2025, 4:24 am

Cooking for yourself can feel like a rollercoaster-exciting, frustrating, and sometimes a little lonely. But here’s the thing: you’re not alone in this. Many of us have stood in that kitchen, staring at a half-burnt dish or a mountain of leftovers, wondering why we bothered. The good news? There are ways to make solo cooking more joyful (and less chaotic).

First, embrace the leftovers. Instead of seeing them as a chore, treat them as an opportunity to get creative. Turn last night’s roasted veggies into a frittata, or blend leftover curry into a soup. Small tweaks keep meals fresh without extra effort. If you’re tired of repetition, try batch-cooking two different dishes at once-one for now, one for later. That way, you’re still experimenting without the monotony.

For those fancy recipes that go awry, remember: mistakes are part of the process. A burnt edge or a sauce that’s too thick? It’s not a failure-it’s a lesson. Keep a notebook (or a note on your phone) of what worked and what didn’t. Over time, you’ll refine your skills without the pressure of perfection.

If loneliness creeps in, make cooking a ritual. Play music, pour a glass of wine, or call a friend while you chop. Or, if you’re up for it, invite someone over-even if it’s just to share a bowl of your (slightly imperfect) homemade pasta. The kitchen is a place for connection, even when you’re cooking for one.

And finally, be kind to yourself. Cooking for one is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. Some days, it’ll feel like a chore. Other days, it’ll feel like a celebration. Both are valid. The joy is in the doing-messy, burnt edges and all.