Mid-Year Reset: Simple Ways I’m Making Life Easier in the Kitchen
Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year?
This season always sneaks up on me. The sparkle of a new year has faded, the winter chill has well and truly settled in - and if I’m honest, the kitchen routine can start to feel a little... blah.
Between school holidays, work and those nights when you just can’t be bothered, it’s easy to slip into survival mode - where the dinners are repetitive, the fridge is a bit chaotic and the joy has quietly stepped aside.
That’s why I love using July as a little checkpoint - a gentle pause to reset, refresh and make life feel that bit lighter again. Not a big overhaul, just a few small changes that ease the load and bring back a bit of calm.
If you’re feeling the slump too, here are a few simple things I’ve been doing lately to help the kitchen feel cosier, more manageable and (dare I say it?) even a little enjoyable again.
1. Reset Just One Cupboard
Instead of tackling the whole kitchen (because who has time for that?!), I pick one space - usually the pantry, fridge or that chaotic drawer everyone avoids.
A quick tidy, a wipe-down and a check for expired items does wonders.
You might even rediscover a long-lost ingredient that sparks a bit of cooking inspo again.
2. Switch Up the Meal Routine
We’ve all been there… the family groans when spaghetti bolognese shows up again.
Lately, I’ve been bringing in a few slow cooker favourites - hearty, hands-off meals that basically cook themselves (perfect for chilly nights). Even just one new recipe a week can break the monotony and bring a fresh spark to dinner.
Stay tuned - I’ve got more of these coming your way next month!
3. Cook Something Just for Fun
It’s easy to forget the joy in cooking when you’re always rushing.
Sometimes it’s pancakes on a slow Sunday, a pudding after dinner, or a little baking session with the kids.
It doesn’t need to be practical. It just needs to make you smile.
4. Add a Little Atmosphere
Sometimes it’s not the tasks - it’s the vibe.
Sometimes I diffuse essential oils while I plan dinner, play music as I clean the kitchen or listen to a podcast doing the dishes. It’s such a small thing, but it shifts the whole energy in the kitchen.
If your kitchen feels like a place you have to be, try making it a space you actually want to be.
One Small Reset Is Enough
Whether it’s clearing out a cupboard, trying a new dinner, or simply lighting a candle while you cook - it doesn’t have to be big to make a difference.
Sometimes a small shift is all it takes to feel calmer, more inspired and ready to ease into the second half of the year.
Here’s to a fresh start in the heart of winter.
Ange x
