The Fear of Cooking!

It seems like fear is the prevalent emotion at the moment and it manifests into a number of unproductive chemical responses that are detrimental to our physical well-being.

As individuals, we can contribute to alleviating this collective ‘affliction’ by addressing, accepting and releasing fears that are unique and embedded in each of our own personalities.

The fear of not being good enough at preparing a meal had manifested into a level of anxiety that had rendered me helpless and reeling in feelings of discomfort and pain.

Like a silent burden, it had affected all my actions and choices. – I felt like I was like trying to function under a heavy load of bricks that I didn’t even know I was carrying.

Worrying is using your imagination to create something you don’t want” – Ester Hicks

Sounds crazy, although I learnt to cook at school, I never felt good enough to prepare food, the fear of judgement was overwhelming, and for 2 years in the Live-In Care Industry, I had managed to somehow ‘wing’ it.

My husband and daughter are amazing cooks and I can’t tell you how many panicked calls they received about how do I do this or that. 

Of course, I could identify with my actions and reactions that played out unconsciously when asked to prepare an actual meal – but I had simply accepted my inadequacies without thinking to address the underlying feelings that were always prevalent…

I knew that the fear was the driving force because actions rooted in love (and food needs to be prepared with love and gratitude) normally come from a place of spiritual fullness and self-security.

Instead, I was coming from a place of separation and lack with a tremendous fear of rejection and failure. I had started interacting from a self-protective behaviour and felt completely drained by the toxic energy that I had unknowingly released into my energy field.

How could I snap out of this feeling of ‘not being good enough’. I am so competent in so many ‘branches’ of Care Work but my ‘roots’ were entangled with a crippling fear that continued to fester and escape healing. It was necessary to address this seemingly simple task, enjoy the process and surrender the outcome and release all attachment to how my meal is received or not received!

You can’t please everyone. When you’re too focused on living up to other people’s standards, you aren’t spending enough time raising your own. Some people may whisper, complain and judge. But for the most part, it’s all in your head. People care less about your actions than you think. Why? They have their own problems! Kris Carr

And so I started to live more consciously. I chose to let love do the guiding. I avoided the thoughts that kept me trapped in an unpredictable future and started to trust that no matter what ‘ I couldn’t get it wrong’. Fear started to dissolve and there continues to be a shift in my overall energy. Operating from that higher vibration felt amazing and even though I wouldn’t say the kitchen is my happy place at least it has become a safe space!  

The truth is: Belonging starts with self-acceptance. Your level of belonging, in fact, can never be greater than your level of self-acceptance, because believing that you’re enough is what gives you the courage to be authentic, vulnerable and imperfect. – Brene Brown

In my opinion, fear is the most insidious obstacle to our peace, happiness and progress in life. 

We decide that the world and those around us cannot be trusted. What a wonderful opportunity we have at this time of ‘social isolation’ to do things that we have avoided for fear of failure and ridicule. To step into our own light, unleash hidden talents and really enjoy the process of creativity irrespective of the end product. 

So, be your authentic self, love yourself enough to allow for conscious expansion and remain firmly root in spirit (oneself, the universe, god .. whatever floats your boat). It is only when we realize that power is always within us, always for us – will we never be afraid regardless of the circumstances. What is FEAR after all?

False Evidence Appearing Real