Keeping my anxiety low

Today I spent the afternoon making a tres leches cake for a neighborhood gathering. I kept thinking about whether people will like it, whether I made enough, whether it will be too sweet and it will be rejected by those that are always trying to reduce weight. Somewhere between the different type of milk and washing dishes, I realized how much hope we put into small offerings, food, conversations, the things we make with our hands, hoping they land softly with others.

I’m planning to wear one of my favorite necklaces tomorrow, the cat with pearls. It’s funny how something so small can feel so vulnerable. I’m not going there to sell anything, yet I can’t help hoping someone notices, asks, connects. Maybe that’s what creating is: leaving little pieces of yourself visible and trusting they’ll be received kindly.