A Message To The Girl: How Baking Became My Mental Health Ally By: Ella Stewart

Author: Ella Stewart

Founder, Bake Well Being

London, UK

Hi, I’m Ella, the Wellness and Resilience Coach on a mission to talk, bake and eat cake for our mental well-being! For as long as I can recall, two of my greatest passions have been baking and advocating for mental health awareness. I’ve always believed in the power of fostering positive change, and at the start of 2020, it dawned on me that combining these passions could create a showstopping recipe. This led to the creation of my Social Project, Bake Well Being.

As we approach the 4th anniversary of the project, I’ve found myself reflecting on my journey with baking and what it has done for me personally.

Picture this: a young Ella, barely four years old, standing on a stool next to her grandmother, their hands busy mixing batter for little cupcakes. It was in those tender moments that my love affair with baking began, though at the time, all I contributed was a bit of mixing and a whole lot of spoon licking. Little did I know, those early moments in the kitchen would become the cornerstone of my mental health toolkit.

As the years passed, my skills in the kitchen grew alongside my passion for baking. By the time I reached my teenage years, I was crafting celebration cakes and cupcakes for all occasions. What started as a simple hobby soon blossomed into a side-hustle, with friends and family eagerly placing orders for my creations. With each order, I found a sense of purpose and pride, not to mention the boost to my self-esteem and the joy of creative expression.

But it wasn’t until much later, as my understanding of mental health deepened, that I realised the profound impact baking had on my well-being. It had been my steadfast companion through life’s ups and downs, a source of comfort and creativity when I needed it most. And so, with a heart full of gratitude, I set out to share this revelation with the world through Bake Well Being.

As fate would have it, the pandemic hit just weeks after I embarked on this social mission and the world was thrown into chaos. Over the later part of 2020 and most of 2021, like many, I found myself grappling with heightened anxiety and daily panic attacks. But amidst the storm, I reconnected with my unexpected lifeline in a way I hadn’t experienced before. In the quiet solitude of my kitchen, I found solace and sanctuary.

It was here, in the midst of uncertainty and fear, that I truly understood the mindful connection woven into the very fabric of baking. Each knead of dough, each swirl of batter, became a ritual of self-care and resilience. And as I emerged from those challenging months, I knew with unwavering certainty that baking had not only saved me, but had become my greatest ally in the ongoing journey toward better mental well-being.

So here’s to the magic of baking, to the sweet symphony of sugar and spice that nourishes not only our bodies, but our souls. May we all find solace in the kitchen, and may each bite of cake be a reminder of the resilience that lies within us all.

In essence, my note to you… the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, step into the kitchen and start baking! Whether it’s a simple loaf of bread or an elaborate cake, the process of baking is a powerful tool for finding peace and solace in the midst of life’s challenges. Embrace the therapeutic power of baking and discover the joy it can bring to both your kitchen and your soul.

Join me on this delicious and fulfilling journey by checking out our socials and dropping me a message @bakewellbeing. Let’s bake our way to better mental health!