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Wanting to cook but anxiety holding me back

Katy

Hi, I'm new here, and hoping that this is something some of you might understand.

I'm 28 and have autism. I struggle in such a big way with seemingly normal every day things. Because of my physical health problems I'm unable to work but I want to become more independent so like doing my own banking, my parents do this for me at the moment. And I want to start learning to cook so I can look after myself as and when I need to when my parents aren't around anymore.

But there's a problem. My anxiety. It's absolutely monstrous and it affects me in so many ways, physically and mentally. I want to learn to cook but I'm so anxious about doing it for so many reasons.

I'm worried about,

  • Giving myself and others food poisoning.
  • Burning myself.
  • Being a terrible cook. 
  • Food disagreeing with me and making me ill.

I know I shouldn't let my anxiety win and rule my life but I can't help it. It's got this bad that it always wins and I've had therapy and everything but nothing has helped me. 

I'm open to any suggestions and advice. Please help. I desperately want to be able to cook and enjoy the stuff I make. I've bought so many pots and pans, and cooking tools, but I haven't been able to use any of them yet.

Parents

  • Start with something simple, like scrambled egg on toast or something really straightforward.

    I can live on pasta as it very versatile, a simple tomato sauce is a easy good base, you can add spice or herbs, have it with various meats.

    Start small, plan and don't panic if it goes wrong , it doesn't really matter. I love to cook, it may not always look amazing but I've not poisoned myself or others yet, although I have overdone the chilli from time to time.

    If you have someone that cooks, you could help the to give yourself confidence.

  • in reply to Hergé
    Hergé said:
    Start small, plan and don't panic if it goes wrong , it doesn't really matter.

    Thank you. This is a good thing to try and remember, written it down. Starting small is a good idea. I always overthink and over plan and pretty much try to run before I can walk and that usually leads to a complete disaster and total loss of confidence as you can imagine.

    I'm going to try videos online as well and see if that helps. I have cook books I bought on eBay but I haven't really had much success there.

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  • in reply to Hergé
    Hergé said:
    Start small, plan and don't panic if it goes wrong , it doesn't really matter.

    Thank you. This is a good thing to try and remember, written it down. Starting small is a good idea. I always overthink and over plan and pretty much try to run before I can walk and that usually leads to a complete disaster and total loss of confidence as you can imagine.

    I'm going to try videos online as well and see if that helps. I have cook books I bought on eBay but I haven't really had much success there.

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