Hi, my friend.
It’s cottage season right now and I love spending weekends with family and friends by the lake. One of the things that makes this special is time together in the kitchen. As we collectively prepare the meals I marvel at how an everyday task like cooking and serving food can vary so much from person to person.
I’m fascinated seeing how simple tasks we've done over and over are different depending on the kitchen you are standing in. How do you slice a tomato? What condiments do you put out to garnish a hamburger? Do you buy prepared food or make everything from scratch? What does your spice cupboard look like?
As we get older there's a tendency to be set in our ways. I know that’s true for me. There's a comfort and ease in the familiar. Why mix it up if it works?
But, does it always really work? What if we are just on autopilot and not thinking about what we are doing? Routine is a good thing ... until it isn't. But how do we know when we need to shift?
Zen Buddhism talks about the concept of a "beginner's mind" meaning to approach something as if you are experiencing it for the first time. It’s the idea of being open and curious and seeing familiar things in a new light.
What if every once in a while we adopted a beginner's mindset to our everyday routine tasks? Like cooking, for example. What would this look like? As I observed others in the kitchen over the past month it's helped me find novelty in unexpected ways.
I've learned a different technique to hold the knife when I'm chopping veggies. I've tried to replicate the giant charcuterie board that one of my girlfriends assembles with ease (tried being the operative word). I've learned new ways to consume protein (because #midlife #needmoreprotein). I've discovered new recipes. I've learned that, for some, smoothies are the way to start their day, while for others, it's a simple black coffee and oatmeal. I've been an egg girl for so many years I practically forgot there were other options!
Sometimes to look at everyday activities from a fresh perspective by choice but sometimes we are forced to adapt. It could be cooking on a gas stove instead of an electric cooktop. It could be doing laundry in another country where you can't understand how the machines work. It could be establishing a makeshift kitchen when your house is being renovated. It could be washing your hardwood floor using hot water instead of cold.
When we presume to already know how to do something we limit our ability to think outside the box and try something new.
Adopting a beginner's mindset, even to the most mundane parts of life, enables us to be more open and curious in our approach. We are better positioned to adapt to challenges when they arise. And, we are more creative.
Seeing others in the kitchen this summer has inspired me to cook again and try new things. And, it's given me confidence in other parts of my life to experiment when I might have just blindly followed my usual routine and done what is easy and familiar.
Tell me, where in your life can you adopt a beginner's mindset? I'd love to know.
With gratitude, always …
Sarah
PS - I am excited to be running a workshop as part of a one-day event in Aurora on Saturday September 28th called “MENOMorphosis": Embracing your Second Act” with Rosegold Health. Topics include everything menopause and how diet, exercise and daily habits can help you move through this phase of life. You can find out more and register here. I’d love to see you!
Find me elsewhere:
Website: sarahhepburn.ca
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-hepburn-
Instagram: instagram.com/_sarahhepburn
Book: Walking Forward: Using the Power of Habits to Navigate the Chaos of Life
Love this! It just made me hungry :).