how to not worry about dinner every single day

As a woman who recently entered her late twenties, acquired a *real* job with regular hours (well, almost. I don't work Fridays!), is working on making big life changes, and also happens to be a big PLANNER and ORGANIZER, I've been sucked into the whole meal planning "hack". I hesitate to call it a hack because I think - at this point in my life anyway - it has only made everything about eating more stressful for me.

I try to make meals that both D and I can eat because his new job has him working long, exhausting hours, and he never really was one to plan his meals or take care of himself in that way. I eat healthy and vegan, he is neither of those things. This is where I thought planning everything out would help, but too often I fail to get to the store, or the meals I do plan and prepare for end up being too daunting on a weeknight after work and other responsibilities. I was always wondering HOW other people do it??? Especially people who work more or have kids and seem to still have enough time to enjoy a few weeknights out?? When I'm done with all my needs for the day it's like 9pm and I need to start getting ready for bed. I try my best to keep dinner simple, but at the same time I plan a new meal for every single night! Ha! Sometimes I just can't be bothered.

This is where I blew my own mind: yesterday I realized if I just made lunch my biggest meal of the day, I bet it would take a lot of pressure off dinner. I could just eat a little bit of whatever, and if I DO end up having more energy, then I can go ahead and make a nice meal that will also provide me with some leftovers. DUH. Now I will say that I have sometimes had trouble scrounging up some food for a decent work lunch (I almost never buy lunch), but I just feel like I am more likely to be content eating a bunch of whatever I've got. A sandwich, fruit, leftovers, big salad, store-bought meals, etc. I'm going to try this out from now on and see if I can get myself to where I'm not completely STARVING at dinner time. If I don't prepare ahead of time for lunch one day, I won't feel as bad going out and getting something as lunch out is always cheaper than a dinner out!