Baking My Way Back to Myself
Hi! My name is Fiona Rodino and baking has been so incredibly impactful in my life and growth. I wanted to share my experience with you all, hopefully inspiring you to find something that's special to you. I hope you enjoy <3
Fiona Rodino
2/6/20252 min read
Before discovering the soothing art of baking, my mind was often consumed by anxiety, stress, and the overwhelming pressure to always do my best. Whether it was school, sports, or the expectations I placed on myself, I constantly felt trapped in a cycle of negative thinking. My energy was drained, my passion for the things I once loved faded, and I sank into a place of loneliness and self-doubt. I felt lost—until I reconnected with baking.
Food had always been a source of comfort in my life. Cooking empanadas with my mom, baking banana bread with my sister—these moments made our kitchen feel like a place of warmth and connection. Whenever life felt heavy, I instinctively turned to baking, measuring ingredients as if I could somehow make sense of my emotions.The kitchen was my haven—until it wasn’t.
As my relationship with food grew complicated, the peace I once found in baking slipped away. I walked away from it, thinking that distance would help me heal. But instead, I lost more than just a hobby—I lost an outlet, a way to express myself, and a source of comfort. Yet, through healing, I slowly rebuilt my relationship with food and found my way back to the kitchen. This time, baking wasn’t just about creating desserts—it was about reclaiming my thoughts, reconnecting with my culture, and rediscovering the parts of myself I had lost.
Now, baking grounds me. It gently pulls me away from negative thoughts and gives me a space beyond my bedroom where I can create, share, and simply be. What once felt like a struggle has transformed into something that heals me—a reminder that growth is possible, even in the places that once held pain.
As I continue to venture through life, I do so with more grace and patience for myself, much like the patience required in the kitchen. I feel lighter, more at peace, no longer weighed down by constant negativity. While baking played a big role in my healing, I am endlessly grateful for the friends and family who supported me through it all. The moral of the story here isn’t that you need to bake or cook to find peace. It’s about finding something—whether it’s reading, crocheting, playing a sport, or anything else that brings you a sense of comfort and belonging. Find your version of baking. Find a space where you feel safe to create and express yourself. Find something that carries you through life’s challenges, reminding you that healing is possible.
- Fiona
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