Baking Therapy
April 9, 2012 by mamaV
Filed under Body Image, Cooking and Culinary Arts, Expressive Arts, Featured, Healthy Coping, Livin in the Moment, Mindfulness, Spirituality
This guest post graciously contributed by The Baker Chick.
When I started my blog in February 2011 I was desperate for a new creative outlet. Being an actor in NYC, I often felt like I wasn’t really able to use the artist side of myself. So, I thought that creating something- anything would help. I wanted to wake up in the mornings and make something out of nothing- instead of feeling sad if I didn’t have any auditions that day.
Baking and blogging changed my life so much for the better. There is something so therapeutic about baking for me. I start with flour, sugar, eggs and butter. I mix them, measure them, put them in the oven and end up creating something wonderful. I really love the routine of it: cream the butter, crack the eggs, measure the flour just right. I find it soothing to know that if I follow the directions perfectly- I’ll end up with something wonderful.
I never would have thought that I would find so much comfort in the kitchen but I really do. When my mind is all over the place and I need a little calm, I blast the music, throw on a cute apron and make something- anything. To me, it’s all about the process- not the result. (I am more than happy to give away the result to all my friends and neighbors.)
I have also discovered how much I love photographing my finished products. I never would have imagined that I would be good at it, but there is something so special about capturing the essence of something you created. First I find the perfect light, then I dress up the space to look clean and clutter free, then I stand back, choose what I want to focus on and snap away. I love it.
When I look back at the last year or so of being a “baking blogger,” I can’t really imagine my life without it. I get so excited when I realize that someone, anyone out there is reading and enjoying what started as a small hobby for my creative well-being. I don’t always need that validation, but it makes me feel like I am doing something right. ☺