Escaping to the Great British Bake Off Tent

Darcie wrote a post today entitled "Small things bring huge satisfaction" which encouraged me to write this piece that has been inside my head for a couple weeks. Trust me, it is very crowded inside there and I am happy to let these words go. While thousands of Netflix viewers are holding a dusty relic that they unearthed from the depths of their closets trying to determine if that item "sparked joy", I have been finding joy rewatching all the seasons of The Great British Bake Off.

I proudly admit to being addicted to all things British. Since last July's post on which contestants have written cookbooks (updated recently), I've continued my quest to escape to the tent. In September of last year, I gave up many television programs, cooking and otherwise, because they were not sparking joy but in fact were creating agita.

Living with a teenager with mental illness is stressful enough without finding myself gasping for air and grasping at tissues while watching This is Us. No, that isn't us. I don't have two rich brothers, a wonderful mom and a dead saint of a father. I found my heart breaking over a well-written fictional character and while it was great for clearing out my sinuses, I just didn't have the energy.

Have you noticed that the GBBO contestants really like each other and help one another when they can? On certain competition cooking shows the trash talking and absurdity of the challenges (Worst Cooks in America anyone?) is mind numbing. Why can't we throw together a show that teaches contestants to cook without having one of the them running around like the Tasmanian devil, shrieking when presented with a whole fish, gagging at the thought of cracking an egg or even humiliating the celebrity chefs with incessant cheap graphics and ridiculous costumes?

When I watch GBBO, I learn something new on each show and even re-watching them I catch things I miss the first time. I revel at their kindness to each other and soak up their energy. We've gone from learning how to cook from the greatness of Julia Child to watching celebrities rehashing recipes. Give me a show that demonstrates Asian or Indian cooking or one that deals with complicated pastry techniques, I already know how to put together a yogurt parfait.

My view is that it is okay to surround yourself with things you love and it is okay to let go of those things that you don't love. If you need me, I'll be in the tent learning to make a perfect Victoria sponge.