First time cutting after a long bulk. 2 weeks in and I hate everything

It gets better around week 3-4 and here is why: your body is used to 3400 and you cut it by 800 in one go. That is a big shock. Most people do that and feel exactly like you for 3 weeks, then it settles.

If it does not settle by week 4, go to 2800 for 2 weeks and then 2600 again. Slower start, same place by Christmas, less misery. There is no rule that says the first 2 weeks have to be the hardest.

Week 5 update since a few people asked. Went to 2800 for weeks 3-4 like the first reply said, back to 2600 now. Hunger is manageable. Bench back to within 2.5kg. Down 3.8kg total. Still cold. Still in bed by 10. But I do not hate everything anymore, just most things.

Volume eating. You are a 96kg man used to 3400. At 2600 you need the food to physically take up the same space. 500g of vegetables with every meal, potatoes instead of rice, lean meat instead of fatty. Same calories, twice the plate. The hunger is partly stomach stretch, not just energy.

The being cold is real and it goes away. The bench dropping 5kg in week 2 is glycogen and water as you said. You will get 2-3 of it back by week 4 when your body adjusts. You will probably not get all of it and that is the trade.

Been there. The 9:30pm bed thing is honestly not the worst strategy. Asleep people are not hungry.