Sense of Purpose

Even though I no longer have a paying job, I still work. Managing and coordinating my household, health, and medical benefits keep me plenty busy. And while what I do is vital to my and my family’s existence, the sense of purpose and belonging I used to feel while being gainfully employed isn’t always apparent.

Pink Angelic Eggs

 I have been a DTR (Dietetic Technician, Registered) for years (decades), and have worked hard to maintain my certification. I’ll never give it up. I’ve also retained my membership to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). One of the perks of membership is a subscription to Food & Nutrition Magazine. It’s full of gorgeous photos, informative articles, and mouth-watering recipes.

 

Butternut Squash Arugula Pita Pizza

A little over a year ago, they added an inter-active Test Kitchen segment “where readers are invited to a collective cook-off for a chance to be featured in the magazine and win cool prizes!” A highlighted recipe is offered up as inspiration, members are asked to prepare the dish and provide feedback. Sharing on social media with the hashtag #FNTestKitchen is encouraged but not required.

 

Simple Moroccan-Spiced Lamb

I absolutely love entering! After submitting my entry for this month’s issue, I thought intensely about what I love the most. I realized the Test Kitchen means more to me than just a chance to try something new. Participating provides a sense of belonging, community, and purpose! My revelation inspired me to write a letter to the editor thanking them.

Barilla Ready Pasta with Shrimp & Green Beans

Letter to The Editor

Hello,

I love to cook and try new recipes and have found partaking in the test kitchen contests to be a true gift. I deal with multiple chronic illnesses and a few years ago I made the difficult decision to stop working (though I will never give up my DTR credential.) Participation provides me with a sense of purpose, one that transcends my everyday responsibilities.

The contest acts as a distraction that provides a respite. Time that might have been spent ruminating on the limitations of my health, I spend on my entry.

I find myself pleasantly consumed by the details of the process: reading and comprehending the recipe, making a shopping list, procuring the ingredients, cooking, styling my finished product for photos, and then sharing my handiwork via social media. Of course I share the real deal with my family!

Thank you for providing me an opportunity to feel like I still have a place in the nutrition community.

Sincerely,

Kelly A Rulle, MS, DTR

They Wrote Back!

Hi Kelly,

We don’t always respond to letters to the editor, but we want to let you know that OF COURSE you have a place in the nutrition community – and you always have a seat at our F&N family table!

Best,

F&N editors

Roasted Walnut and Cauliflower “Meat”

 

Hitting the Pause Button

When I’m feeling overwhelmed by my chronically confounding life, it can be tempting to give up on myself. Sometimes the thought of curling up into a ball and cursing whoever or whatever caused my pain is the best I’ve got. As fun as that seems, it’s not a sustainable long term plan. Eventually I will have to get up and deal with the issue. But what if I’m not quite ready to rumble? That’s when distractions can come in handy.

Distraction Not Denial

Finding healthy ways to distract from unpleasant emotions is one of the distress tolerance techniques I’ve learned while in therapy. Putting a vexing situation on the back-burner, albeit temporarily, and putting something else first in my mind buys me some time so when I’m ready I can cope with the unpleasantness in a beneficial and productive manner.

So Kelly, what exactly are these distractions you speak of? I’m glad you asked! I use activities that I find to be pleasurable.

Making a List

The first step was to sift through a list of 100+ pleasurable activities and check all that piqued my interest. I was skeptical at first because I’ve read many books of lists promising a fix for a broken life: 50 Ways To Do This, The 10 Best Whatevers, blah, blah, blah. I always thought, “I wouldn’t do any of this crap!” or “Who has time for this nonsense?” This time was different as I had someone guiding me through the process of creating a personalized list.

Next, I narrowed the list down to the 15 (that I would actually do) and finally, grouped those 15 into three lists of 5 (an A list, B list, and C list). The following is what I came up with.

A list: Cook favorite meal, Blog, Work outside, Take photographs, Long and peaceful walk

B list: Exercise, Go out to eat, Listen to radio, Play loud music and dance, and Take a nap

C list: Internet shop, Go out for coffee, Go to a mall/park and people watch, Read favorite book, Write a letter to someone

Distraction Before Action

My list of pleasurable activities offers a ‘pause button’ for my life. I know going out for coffee won’t cure my Crohn’s and taking a walk doesn’t pay the bills. Embracing distraction affords me the opportunity to coolly evaluate negative situations rather than become further overwhelmed by them. And when I’m ready to ‘press play’ again, I can do so with no fear. I got this.

 

Sometimes I feel

I've got to

Run away

I've got to

Get away

From the pain you drive into the heart of me

–Tainted Love written by Ed Cobb