I meant to reply sooner, but I wanted to make sure I actually tried that recipe before saying anything useful.
It turned out better once I stopped rushing and let everything sit for a few extra minutes. I usually skip that part, and then I wonder why it feels flat. The small changes mattered more than the big ones. I also used a larger bowl, which sounds obvious now, but it made the whole thing easier to mix without making a mess.
I think you'd like it because the steps are simple and the cleanup stays manageable. Next time I might add more herbs and leave out the extra crunch on top. If you try it this weekend, let me know how it goes. I am curious whether your version ends up lighter than mine, because you always seem to get the texture just right.

I actually took your suggestion and went for the longer walk instead of trying to squeeze in a bunch of errands first.
It helped more than I expected. I kept thinking I needed a full free afternoon to reset, but an hour outside did the job. The weather cooperated for once, and I spent most of the time just noticing silly little things like garden fences, barking dogs, and a neighbor attempting to fix a gate with too much enthusiasm.
After that, everything felt less crowded in my head. I came home, tidied the kitchen, and finally answered the messages I had been postponing all week. So yes, your advice was annoyingly correct. If I start talking myself out of taking breaks again, please remind me that the simple version usually works best. I always make it more complicated than it needs to be.