One of the easiest means of self-care is also the hardest to practice: the simple act of receiving.
How comfortable are you with receiving, chef? How gracefully can you accept a compliment for your work, or help on a task? How easily do you welcome suggestions on solving a problem or an invitation to share what’s bothering you?
Kitchens run on the culture of ‘make it happen’, and while that’s kept us invulnerable through countless gruelling shifts, somewhere along the way we lose touch with our own humanity.
Let me tell you that if you’re in some way struggling with not feeling valued, then the remedy is to accept the compliments that come your way, even if you don’t fully believe them. If you’re not feeling loved, share your true feelings the next time someone asks you how you’re doing. If you’re feeling unworthy, allow someone to assist you and lighten your burden.
Don’t put up barriers. Gift yourself the acceptance of things that come your way, chef.