A few weeks ago, I was listening to a Jordan Peterson podcast, and he said the most simple yet profound thing (as he often does):

Turn your problems into goals.

Sometimes you feel like you’re floating in a sea of stagnant water and then out of nowhere, something pushes you into a beautiful, flowing current and you’re on your way again.

That’s what this quote was for me. 

The timing was impeccable as I’d just written a list of all of my imperfections and things I am ashamed of that I feel have been barriers to deep connections. A laundry list of problems. It felt good to get these swirling thoughts into a list but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with all these vulnerabilities. Some I can change, some I can’t, but where to start?

One of the things on my vulnerabilities list is that I am not a great cook. To me, cooking is tedious. A chore. Something to be avoided where possible. Takeout, yes please!

But…

I have a vision of being the matriarch of my beautiful, blended family and I host regular family gatherings. From simple Sunday lunches, to celebrating milestones like new jobs, birthdays, and future grandbabies. The table is laden with plates of food that I’ve lovingly made, a manifestation of my love and gratitude for my family. 

A symbol of connection, warmth and home.  

So now, I have a goal of becoming a great cook.

I started off small, a chili con carne with guacamole – two things that I have not ruined (yet!). But after being inspired by a Mexican baked potato at the Gympie show, this time I added in smashed roast potatoes.

I parboiled the potatoes. 

I pat them dry with paper towel and placed them on a baking tray.

I pressed them with a glass until the skin split open and the fluffy flesh oozed out. 

I drizzled them in lashings of olive oil and a sprinkling of salt.

And baked these babies until they were crispy and golden.

And let me tell you, I definitely did not anticipate the amount of pride and satisfaction I would feel over these silly little roast potatoes. 

Motivated by this success, over the weekend I thought I’d give a roast pumpkin soup and a rosemary and garlic focaccia a crack. 

Turns out I can make them too!

So today, as I slowly eat my little homemade lunch, I am content in knowing that my vision doesn’t seem so far away. And when I feel a little stuck again, to think about what problems I can turn into goals.