MULTISENSORY ASPECT OF BAKING
Tessa Alindogan
Interior designer, artist
When the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) became a reality, life as I knew it changed. Usually, I have a schedule that I follow and can predict how my day will go. I establish a routine, which more often than not is predictable. This makes me feel that I am in control of my life and offers me a sense of normalcy.
This is a period of collective uncertainty, anxiety and worry. To help temper these feelings and negative thoughts, I had to establish new routines at home and create a new “normal” for myself. I have dedicated part of my physical and mental energies to whipping up treats in the kitchen. The multisensory (touch, smell, sight) aspect of baking can be of therapeutic value and can have a calming and meditative quality.
Just like with interior design, I feel that I have accomplished nourishing my soul with yet another creative channel that yields so much positivity. Baking and interior design take focus to follow the step-by-step instructions and engages a lot of attention to detail. Concentration, patience, a sense of order and refinement are required for a successful end result. Creative endeavors allow me to get out of my head and allow my heart to focus on something else besides the current stressors. It is an effective distraction to get my mind focused on something more productive and beneficial.
Before the pandemic, my baking experience was the most basic. It was not difficult for me to get into it because I love to learn new skills and like to challenge myself. I am glad I have more time now and I feel incredibly grateful to have the resources to try to turn the current situation into something enjoyable. I have not gained weight from this new found hobby because I only do a bit of a taste test of my products, then share the rest with my family and friends. This is also a way of staying connected to those I love.
I am starting to find that there are some real benefits from this new way of living that I may carry once life gets back to normal. I think now is a great time for everyone to learn a new skill or hobby they have lost time for, as we try to make our way through this insane situation.