How do you keep your morale up when you’re on a stringent budget and everything just feels like suck? Are you there right now? Do you find yourself ordering takeout or delivery to try to diminish your feelings of anxiety and depression because your finances are dreary and everything seems forever hopeless?
Does Momma sound like an ad for an antidepressant med? Whoops!
Well today I’m gonna give you 5 practical things you can do today for FREE that can improve the quality of your meals and your mental health. And look, I’m not even gonna tell you not to spring for the carton of ice cream because you hate your job and you feel broke as a joke. I will tell you that the choices you make have the power to lift your mindset and your lifestyle while you’re clawing your way through adulting.
#1 Set Your Table.
I know table setting isn’t something that’s readily taught ever, and certainly not the first thing that comes to mind when upgrading means “supersize it.” But it’s incredibly easy and not at all complicated, at least not until you hit the fine dining scene where etiquette is on the menu. The bare basics involve fork to the left of the plate, knife and spoon to the right. Drinks to the upper right of the plate. I’ve got a graphic below to demonstrate the basic outlay. Many pieces won’t be necessary if your dinner is a bowl of chili mac, but I want something that’s easy for you to see and use as a tool. (Honestly I wish there was a more barebones basic one so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming, but workin’ with that I had at hand.)
Before we get to that graphic, let’s talk about the potential elephant in the room. Maybe you don’t have a table to set. Maybe you eat at your computer desk because it’s the only flat surface you have. Maybe you just have a coffee table at your couch, or a TV tray. Maybe you have a breakfast tray you balance on your bed. Or maybe you have a table (or bar), but it’s currently doubling as a cluttered junkheap of storage.
Clear it off.
Whatever or wherever you use (or don’t use) for meals, clean and tidy that area. Don’t just make a space on an otherwise sloppy, overfilled coffee table. Clear the whole space. Tidy your desk if that’s all you have. Actually dig out your table from under the junk mail and empty Amazon boxes. I’d press for cleaning the whole room, but that could potentially take hours and I don’t want you to quit before you start. Clear the surface. The whole enchilada. Then set your table.
#2 Use Real Dishes.
The nice ones. The ones you inherited from your Granny. Use your single porcelain teacup you got for your 8th birthday, even if it now has a chip in it. Even if you don’t have “nice” dishes, use real ones. Yeah the kind that have to go in the sink and be washed. Because you are worth eating off real dishes.
I understand that Chinese takeout boxes are designed to open and form a type of paper plate. However. Don’t eat the ice cream out of the carton; put it in a bowl. Don’t eat the Big Mac out of the wrapper; put it on a plate. Pour your Coke Zero into a glass, don’t just drink it straight from the can. Does this create more dishes for you? It does, and absolutely wash them. But please hear me that there is more satisfaction in eating your meal, whatever it might be, off a real dish like a genuine human being. Throwaway food containers can give the feeling that the food itself, or the consumer of the food, is also disposable.
Whatever you choose to eat, whether it’s surf n’ turf or a Nachos Bellgrande, put it on a real dish. And if you do happen to have some of those nice dishes, don’t save them for a “special occasion.” Use them. They are valuable and You are valuable and you deserve to eat off fancypants plates. (Holding your pinky in the air is optional.)
#3 Plate Your Meal.
The old saying goes “you eat with your eyes.” You don’t have to go so far as 5-star plating with three whole dots of sauce and two sprigs of parsley next to your sliver of chicken. But do make the effort to arrange your food on the plate in a visually appealing arrangement. This can be the difference between putting your curry next to the rice in the bowl, instead of just pouring it over the top. Even if you intend to mix everything up later, having the visible presentation will enhance your enjoyment of your meal, even if you’re not consciously aware of it.
Other plating suggestions could be to put your orange slices in a bowl, rather than just sitting the whole fruit on the table. Sprinkle some dried herbs like parsley or rosemary over your food, if you don’t happen to have fresh at hand. Drizzle your ranch dressing over your salad in a zig-zag instead of just glopping it on. Nothing difficult or complex. The goal here is to invest 30 extra seconds to make your meal appealing to your eyes. You are worth that tiny droplet of extra effort.
And let’s be real, it makes everything look gourmet, even if it’s just chicken nuggies and fries.
#4 Slip a bit of fruit into your water.
This isn’t so different from when you go out to eat and ask for water with your lemon. I’m not a fan of lemon water myself–more of a lime lady. But even if you’re not a citrus person, or you just can’t afford fresh limes, there are plenty of other choices. Drop a stray strawberry into your water instead. Or a chunk of canned pineapple. Or both together! Is your potted mint taking over everything? (I know it is.) Toss a sprig of mint into your glass with or without a slice of cucumber.
This upgrade serves a bunch of purposes. It’s likely going to encourage you to drink more water if it tastes nice. It looks elegant, like a restaurant quality drink. It adds color to your mealtime experience. It feels indulgent, because it is indulgent. And it’s a simple little thing you can do with whatever you have at hand that will make you feel pampered.
#5 Play relaxing or uplifting music while you eat.
Aggretsuko-level of metal karaoke may be your personal preference, and if it is, that’s just fine. But while you’re eating, pick something that is calming, peaceful, and relaxing. No angry “I hate everything and you just suck!!!!” songs. Find something positive or instrumental to play. It makes your house like a fine dining establishment where soothing music is a soft and unobtrusive backdrop to the meal.
But Momma, won’t that be too much going on with the TV going too? About that. We’re not catching up on our YouTube subs, we’re not watching a Twitch stream, we’re not bingewatching the latest Netflix liveaction while we eat. For that matter, we’re not doomscrolling our socials or arguing with idiots on the internet either. We’re just gonna have a sit at our clean meal space and unwind from a craptastic work day with some calm music and maybe a glass of wine with our spaghetti.
Set aside your mealtimes for you and whomever you live with that you’re on speaking terms with. (I know some of you have roommates you’d like to punt out the window.) Turn on the music. Let it help ease away any stress or tension you’ve got left from your day. Let it help you slow down and fully appreciate the meal you’re eating as the result of your hard labor.
This isn’t the time for “Eye of the Tiger” motivational music. Use that during your cleaning time or doing the dishes. Something like Enya, a YouTube music channel that specializes in relaxing or meditation music, or piano-only remixes of your favorite positive tunes… these are great ideas to start from.
But wait! There’s more! Three bonus ideas you can also tack on, just as little things to make life that little bit nicer.
Bonus #1: Sprinkle cinnamon on your coffee grounds.
The flavor will infuse into the coffee as it brews.A tiny upgrade to your home coffee routine that should make you smile.
Bonus #2: Take your meal outside.
If you have any sort of table and chair outside, whether it’s a plastic patio set, or a small sitting space on your apartment’s roof, take the food. Enjoy the fresh air. Feel fancy like you’re eating at a streetside bistro. A bistro named Chez Moi. (A picnic is also a legit variation on this theme.) Light a citronella candle to keep away bugs if they’re problematic where you are.
Bonus #3: Finish your meal with a warm drink like coffee or tea.
Even if desserts aren’t in the grocery budget, you can wrap up the meal taking the time to savor your beverage.
As you can see, there’s a plethora of little ways you can make your meals nicer and more peaceful. Are there any you think I’ve missed? Let me know! Which one on the list is your favorite?
Eat well, Momma
