Hello! Welcome to the first-ever Mental Health Monday on Baking Therapy. This week we are going to talk about how I conquered my fear of vulnerability. Before that though, I would like to talk to you about what Baking Therapy is all about.
Not Your Typical Baking Blog
We’ve all done it. Googled a recipe, chosen the first one that pops up, then furiously scroll to the bottom of the page for the printable version. ”Ugh, I don’t have time to read your life story above an orange marmalade recipe, Karen. Just tell me what I need to pick up from the Kroger’s, so I can get on with my life.”
I kept this in mind when I created Baking Therapy, therefore Baking Therapy comes in two parts. The baking side is where you can learn everything needed for a recipe. I discuss the techniques, the ingredients, and post some inspiring photos of what it will look like.
If you want to take the time to read everything about the recipe you won’t regret it. I have 10+ years of experience I can share with you and there’s a lot of useful information provided for you. If not, that’s okay too, scroll to the bottom for that printable version. At least I can promise you, you will never see my life story above an orange marmalade recipe.
Click here to see my recipes, sorry there’s no orange marmalade recipes. Not yet anyways.
The Therapy Side of Baking Therapy
I wanted Baking Therapy to be something more than an encyclopedia of recipes. You could go anywhere for that, honestly. I want Baking Therapy to be something that people will actually read. I want people to spend some time here every week and hopefully, feel like they have found a supportive corner of the internet.
This isn’t going to be me delving into what my issues are. Let’s just say I have been through a lot and I would like to share the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I want to keep things as light and as positive as possible. No pity parties here and definitely no going into what I call ”the dark place.”
You can learn more about Baking Therapy and About Me by clicking here.
My Fear of Vulnerability
So let’s talk about the fear of being vulnerable, I think its something we all fear from time to time. It is something I have had to conquer in the making of my blog. I’m a sensitive person, I wear my heart on my sleeve. Putting myself out there and opening myself up to criticism is one of my biggest fears.
I have been creating and writing for as long as I can remember but I have only ever shared my work with a few trusted individuals. My fear of vulnerability kept me from confidently sharing with the world. This blog, even just this single post, is a big deal for me. It’s a huge step forward in my journey of becoming the best version of myself.
The Best Version of You
You see what I said above about becoming the best version of myself? This has been my guide through life. I try not to compare myself to others, instead I imagine the best version of myself.
- Who is this best me?
- What are their values?
- What do they like and dislike?
- Accomplishments they have made?
- Do they recognize the things they could be better with?
- What are the things they want to do?
- What are some things they would never do?
- Do they have standards for themselves, their work, and how they will accept being treated?
Write Your Recipe for Happiness
I recommended sitting down with a notebook and writing down or even drawing what the best version of yourself could be. Then try to brainstorm what steps you could take to be that person, a recipe for happiness. Remember we aren’t looking for perfection or competing with someone else; we are looking for the best version of YOU. The only comparison you should be making is between your past, present, and best future self. Try to recognize the good and the bad. Know who you were, who you are, and the person you want to become.
The goal here is constant self-improvement and to truly know who you are and what you want out of life. This will give you confidence and value in yourself that you never had before.
Having Value in Yourself and Your Work
When you have value in yourself, then its harder for someone to tear you down or make you feel insecure. That fear of vulnerability goes away. You can’t control how other people perceive you but you can control how you feel about yourself. By living up to your own values and standards, you take control of your life and your confidence grows.
When you have value in your work, then its easier to share it with the world. If you like what you are doing then it doesn’t matter what other people think. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t take constructive criticism, getting another point of view on something can help you make it better. When someone criticizes my work, I consider their point of view and weigh it against my own creative vision. If it doesn’t match up with my values or vision then I say, ”I see where you’re coming from, but I’m happy with the way it is.”
Be Brave and Put Yourself Out There
I hope this article encourages you to be confident and share your work. Remember your values and no one can make you feel insecure. There is a lot of comfort in knowing who you were, who you are, and who you want to become.
So that is how I became brave enough to start this blog and share my work. I’m hoping that by being true to my values and working hard this blog will grow and find its audience. I want to help people learn about themselves and how they can have better Mental Health.
Help Spread the Message
Thank you for reading and sharing this article with a friend. If you think this is helpful or if you have a story of your own please share it in the comments below. You can also follow me on Facebook to be updated when I post and be part of the community there.