đź“Ś Part of a Series
This post is the fourth of 7 in the Tiny Dinner Meal Planning Mistakes series — a practical look at small habits that quietly make dinner harder than it needs to be.
👉 See all 7 categories here
Somewhere between “let’s cook more at home” and “I can make that from scratch” is a trap. It’s easy to think that more effort equals better meals, but when every dinner becomes a big project, burnout isn’t far behind.
In this post, we’ll break down three dinner planning mistakes that make things harder than they need to be. If you’re constantly overwhelmed in the kitchen, these might be the habits that are holding you back.
Mistake #1: Using an Overly Complex System
Why it happens: You start with a fancy app, color-coded spreadsheet, or printable meal planner because it feels like the right way to get organized.
Why it backfires: The system takes more time to maintain than it saves. Eventually you abandon it, and feel like you failed — when the system was the problem.
What to do instead: Use whatever method is easiest to stick with. A scrap of paper or note app works just fine if it helps you plan consistently.
Mistake #2: Planning Meals with Ingredients That Don’t Overlap
Why it happens: You want variety and excitement — a new dish every night with totally different flavors.
Why it backfires: You end up buying lots of ingredients that you only use once, which adds cost, waste, and decision fatigue. Plus, the prep work takes longer when every night’s dinner requires a brand-new setup.
What to do instead: Group meals that use similar ingredients — like ground beef, rice, or fresh herbs. It simplifies your grocery list and makes prep quicker.
Mistake #3: Making Everything from Scratch Every Night
Why it happens: You want to avoid processed food or feel like making things from scratch is the “right” way to cook.
Why it backfires: Even if you love to cook, the pressure to do it all every single night is a lot. It eats up time and energy that you could be spending elsewhere.
What to do instead: Pick a few shortcuts you’re comfortable with — like pre-chopped veggies, rotisserie chicken, or jarred sauce. Balance scratch-made meals with convenience to keep things sustainable.
Dinner doesn’t need to be elaborate to be good. If your planning process or recipes feel like too much, it’s okay to scale back. Simple, repeatable dinners that work for your life are the ones that actually get made.
Next up in the series: Ignoring Real Life