14 Comments
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Mike Underell's avatar

At the risk of sounding silly and trivial, I've been holding on to a lot of stress around dinner. More specifically, what I make for dinner. I cook all the meals for the house, and while I enjoyed it over the years, recently I began to dread it. There are allergies, sensitivities, and, plainly speaking, preferences that have complicated things for me in that regard. However, quite literally this weekend, I managed to let go and let myself simply make food for myself and the family without feeling like I was a hostage. Not only did I make food I was proud of, everyone ate mostly everything I made, and they liked it. I even managed to try something new with one small element of a meal I've made hundreds of times. It felt good. Truly.

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Man do I feel this! For 20 years I was the major chef of our household and when my daughter moved out a year ago I basically stopped cooking for a year (at least not full family meals). I was so worn out and done with thinking about food. I have been noticing myself returning to it the past couple of months, and really enjoying it again. But I had to let it go completely to find the joy in it again.

Mike Underell's avatar

Here's to letting go so we can return later to enjoy it for ourselves 🥂

Mahmoud Owies's avatar

My lifeline!!!

Shannon Bindler's avatar

You are the sweetest! 💓💓

Mahmoud Owies's avatar

🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶

Kellie M Little's avatar

I have released the many changes happening in my workplace. They are not mine to hold. I cannot stress about that which I cannot change. Releasing it all felt like such a relief.

Mike Underell's avatar

This was a game-changer for me! I'm glad to hear others are finding this for themselves as well. Congratulations for letting it go!

Mark Bennett's avatar

Lately it feels like my shoulders are beginning to tense again from holding on to too much. From things that I probably shouldn't be holding onto anymore. But that's the thing, the tightness creeps up like the tide, coming and going in phases. This article is a great reminder to let go and release! As always, great writing, Shannon!

Mike Underell's avatar

"the tightness creeps up like the tide" is such an accurate depiction! This is how stress manifests with me as well. Like the tide, stress is sneaky if I'm not paying attention, but it's also a kind of coming and going that's inevitable.

Thanks for giving me a new visual for my stress!

Shannon Bindler's avatar

So glad it resonated with you!! I see it as such a visual experience now.

JHong's avatar

I have a big one. Feels like it should be reserved for The Flow chat space!

I live for the releases.... bring them on. Please.

Leo in L.A.'s avatar

I’ve been releasing a lot of things I don’t need to carry. It feels wonderful. 💕😊

Mike Winters's avatar

Like always this resonates.