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Hello Ladies- I don’t like to cook. It has taken me years to say that out loud. I now understand that my inattentive ADD brain frequently misses important ingredients or stages of a recipe, and I also have major trouble estimating prep time (time-blindness, it’s really a thing). When I stop to think about key elements of the cooking process, it feels like a minefield of things that could go wrong. Then, when you throw in a history of disordered eating thought patterns, it’s no wonder that I still feel overwhelmed when I enter a grocery store. Yet I’ve long felt like I am supposed to enjoy the cooking process. It brings so much joy to others. What was wrong with me? Why is it so hard to let go of roles and responsibilities that have been “traditionally” held by women? I have found it so hard to delegate this responsibility to my husband, yet he is more than willing to step in. He is completely comfortable being in a supportive role, but I feel guilty that I “should” be the one responsible for putting together dinner each night. A close friend who knows our family dynamic well encouraged me to try letting go for a month. She reminded me that Chip manages so many of our other family systems with an endearing blend of MacGyver meets Bill Nye the Science Guy. Why would cooking be any different? I reminded her that the last time he cooked pasta, he wanted to Google how much water he should use! Clearly opposites attract, and I am optimistic that Chip will be able to create new memories for us around family dinner. So this is me, asking you to be my accountability partners, making sure that I approach mealtime with gratitude, curiosity, and a lighter touch. Whether or not this month will lead to a permanent change in roles, I look forward to seeing what shifts in me! With love, Amanda
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