I am obviously a big proponent of people cooking more. I think that there is tremendous value in it. And I think that it is beneficial to physical health, mental health, and the bank account. But I know that it can get boring and tedious, especially during the week when work and life get in the way. I also know that for a lot of people the last thing they want to do in their leisure time is to cook.

Most of the time cooking is considered to chore that must be done.

Most of the time cooking is considered to chore that must be done. Because of this, it’s easy to associate cooking with the same negative feelings we all had towards cleaning our bedrooms as children. The thing is, that anything can seem like a chore when you only do it when you have to. If you only ever had sex to make babies I bet that would feel like a chore pretty quick too, right?

If you only ever had sex to make babies I bet that would feel like a chore pretty quick too, right?

I do think that there is a way around this idea of cooking only ever as a chore. It’s really quite simple. Cook when it’s not necessary to do so. Meaning, cook during leisure time. There may be arguments running through some people’s heads that go something like this… “I don’t cook because I’m not good at it.” “I can’t cook.” “I don’t like cooking.”

…to love the thing that you hate, you need to do it until you don’t hate it anymore.

So, here’s the paradox of it all. By cooking when it’s not necessary to do so, most, not all, but most people will find some form of joy in it. They will get better at it. They will learn more about it. And all of this will lead to them enjoying even more. So, to love the thing that you hate, you need to do it until you don’t hate it anymore. Does that make sense?

Now, why put ourselves through this? Why put in the effort? Why force ourselves to do something that we don’t like to do just because we might learn to like it?

…we all know people who say they hate to cook but then watch 14 hours straight of the food network.

Here’s the thing, we all know people who say they hate to cook but then watch 14 hours straight of the food network. We all know people who say they hate to cook, but read food blogs like this one and have a Pinterest board full of recipes. And we all know people who say they hate to cook but when they eat something really delicious they say “I wish I could cook like that.”.

…do most people actually hate to cook, or do they just not have the skills they need to cook.

The question arises, do most people actually hate to cook, or do they just not have the skills they need to cook. Do they not know how to develop those skills? Or, do they just not want to put the effort into learning those skills?

Why not give ourselves the opportunity to enjoy it?

I don’t know where everyone falls on the spectrum of wanting to cook versus not wanting to cook, but I do know that is worth a little effort. Everyone has to eat, and it’s more than likely that every person reading this is doing some type of cooking anyway. So, why not set aside a little time and try to learn to enjoy it? Why not give ourselves the opportunity to enjoy it? Whether it’s trying a new ingredient or a new recipe, or even just making something because there is a craving for it, just try it.

When we do something because we want to, and not because we have to, our brains recognize that. It causes a shift in perspective. We feel fulfilled rather than frustrated. We feel a sense of accomplishment and pride rather than just being happy it’s over.

So, here is what I suggest. Set aside a few hours this weekend. Choose a dish that you really want to eat. Do a little bit of research by reading a few different recipes, and then make it. Not because you have to, but because you want to. Do this once a week, and I’m willing to bet it will completely change how you look at food and cooking. Yes, there will still be times when it seems like a chore. There always will be, but more importantly, there will be times when it doesn’t.