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Finding Grace in the Kitchen on Low-Energy Days

Finding Grace in the Kitchen on Low-Energy Days

Being newly introduced to the neurodivergent world, I’ve been slowly learning how to build rhythms that actually work for me. Between cooking meals, planning a garden, managing the household, and helping out on the ranch—sometimes while dealing with a sick chicken, cat, or other animal—energy isn’t always a guarantee. Some days I can cook a full meal from scratch. Other days, it’s heat-and-go, or maybe nothing at all. And that’s okay.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: it’s okay to have low-energy days, guilt-free. Rest is part of self-care, even if it means dinner isn’t perfect. Instead of pushing through exhaustion, I’ve started creating systems that support me when my executive function is running low. Having a few practical tricks in your back pocket makes all the difference. Here are two that have been especially helpful for me:

📅 Hack #1: Micro-Planning with My Calendar

I rely on my phone calendar for more than just appointments. I use it to set small, well-timed reminders that pop up at natural points in my day—those moments when I usually think, “What am I forgetting?” For example, fertilizer ratios for my plants show up on garden days, or a nudge to prep dinner ingredients before I lose steam. Even complex tasks become easier when broken into little calendar nudges. Bonus: I also use ChatGPT as a quick-reference reminder system, which helps keep things cross-checked and less overwhelming.

🥔 Hack #2: Pre-Baked Potatoes, Endless Options

My husband loves potatoes, so I’ve learned to keep them ready to go. On a higher-energy day, I wash whole potatoes, slice them in half lengthwise, toss with oil and salt, and roast them cut-side down at 350°F for 30–40 minutes. Once cooled, they go into an airtight container in the fridge. Later, they reheat beautifully: serve them as baked potatoes, chop them into breakfast potatoes for a quick sauté, or crisp them in the air fryer with herbs for dinner. It’s one simple prep that turns into multiple easy meals when energy is low.

These little systems may not look like much, but they’ve helped me find peace in the kitchen. Cooking doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing—it can be flexible, gentle, and sustainable. If you’re on your own journey of learning how to feed yourself on low-energy days, I hope these ideas give you a starting point. More tips will come as I continue to grow, stumble, and learn along the way.

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Location: California, USA

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