What Does Cake Decorating Do For You?
Decorating By mrsright41401 Updated 8 Feb 2007 , 5:39pm by nosnin
I've been thinking about this a lot today. Cake decorating is more than a hobby to alot of us, it is an intensely personally satisfying experience that enriches our lives in different ways.
I have an intensely difficult emotional disorder along with post-traumatic stress disorder. Different things trigger me to have mind numbing and paralyzing attacks in which I become intensely depressed and struggle to accomplish normal everyday activities and to stay involved even with the people I am closest to.
I am going through such a period right now. I don't want to be touched, I don't want to be awake but I can't sleep when I lay down, I just struggle. We are without health insurance at the moment and it has been nearly 2 years since I have been to see a doctor. The other night, I couldn't sleep and I was in tears because I was struggling so much and I got up to work on a cake that I'm shipping on Friday to my best friend. I was making a name in fondant and after about 45 minutes of working with the fondant and with shaping the fondant rope into her daughter's name, I was completely calm and was able to get up, go to bed, and rest peacefully.
Do you know how precious this gift is to me? Cake decorating has been my therapy for the past year, getting me through some incredibly rough times. It is more than a hobby, more than a future business, it is that gift that I have looked for all my life that I can throw myself into and get through anything.
So - what has cake decorating done for you?
Rachel
I know what you mean about it being therapy. I had surgery a year ago and still have not completely recovered. Since I am at home now I have been practicing royal icing flowers and fondant/gumpaste. It is a stress reliever. I get into "the zone" as my family calls it. I will concentrate so much that I don't even listen to them, but it helps me feel better that I can still accomplish something.
I have a laundry list of illnesses, so much so that it put me into therapy, as I could not function anymore. My therapist suggested that I take up a hobby.
I went into cake decorating, and now into sugarart, at her suggestion. I was never a budding artist, although I am pretty sure that if I had been encouraged, I would have at least been good. I chose cake decorating because even as a child, I was fascinated with the buttercream rose. I have found that cake decorating has brought out in me a side I had never really seen before.
I have also met some of the most warm and sincere people I have ever known, through forums like this, and in person.
Theresa 
This is exactly what its like for me too, I am going through an extremely difficult time at the moment after the split with my husband 6mths ago, the worry and stress of my grown up children cos everything seems to be going wrong for them, cake decorating is my life saver, although I dont make lots for other people I just sit making "things", most of the things I've uploaded lately are what I call "To keep my Sanity" creations...because when I'm making them I go into my own little world and try and forget all the missery, this helps me more than all the pills the doctor has given me in the past
Our family has all kinds of problems. One sister has severe depression. I have always had hobbies I pour everything into it. And I keeps me sane. Well somewhat. My MOM and Grand-Ma also are very much into hobbies. It keeps you busy. And you don't sit there and worry. Our family worries alot ( The what if)
I also have a friend that 2 of her kids were diagnosed with ADHD. The doctor told her to keep them active. Her son went out for Football. And her DD did Karate. Both kids blossomed. They had something to focus on and not worry.
So we do Cake Decorating and it is our release. As well as CC. We all are each others therapists and sounding boards. I thank all of you for my cheaper form of therapy. 
And I will be the for you as well
I also find cake decorating relaxing and really enjoy doing it. Also making the sugar flowers and I am in my element and any worries seem to drift away!
I think its an excellent hobby to take up whether its to do it for profit or just because its so rewarding.
It makes me feel as if I am capable of doing anything and lifts my spirits no end when I have completed a cake with flowers!
cheers
Jan
It is a creative outlet for me too! I have always loved to cook and bake and being able to do it for others is wonderful.
I started cake decorating the week my husband left for an 18 month deployment. It helped me so much throughout that 18 months! I needed something... some way... to take up all those hours and feel helpful to others. I had just become a SAHM with a baby--who loved to sleep. What better way?
I fell so in love with this creative hobby that, now that he's finally home, my husband doesn't quite understand it. He doesn't understand the hours, along with the messing and cleaning of the kitchen. Most importantly, he doesn't understand the therapy in it... the accomplishment that can be found in it.
It gives me a creative outlet, it gives me great joy to see one of my cakes be the hit of someone's life celebration, and it rocks my world when my students learn how to make a rose on a skewer (for example) for the first time and comment on how fun this is. If I can be a blessing, that's what it's all about! 
Growing up I was always doing something creative with paper. I loved to write as well. Over the years picked up different hobbies, crocheting, candlewicking, quilling, etc. At a friend's suggestion I took the Wilton class and was hooked.
Having grown up in NYC and exposed to different things gave me post traumatic stress where something will trigger anger in me or huge sadness. 
Cake decorating calms me because I am creating something pretty in a world that has a lot of ugly in it! When I'm stressed I bake and decorate and pour over my decorating book or try to find a cake show on tv.
Along with prayer and Bible readiing decorating works wonders for me.
Cake decorating has also brought much love and joy to my life.I used to stand and stare at the roses on the cake in the bakeries wondering how to do it.I giggle when a customer emails or calls to say the cake was the hit of the party and no one is doing her cakes from now on but me!! Such a feeling..You can't describe!!
Cake Central has been my outlet the last few months. I honestly do not know how I would have survived without it. My mother who has also been my very best friend all of my life, suddenly passed away in November. I was and still am totally beside myself. Now, of course the forums cannot take away the pain but when I'm on the site, it gets my mind off of the pain for a while and it helps me get through the day. I think that it's more than just the beautiful cake pictures, it's also the fact that the people on here are so supportive of each other. It's everyone coming together and trying to help each other. When I'm on the site, I feel like I'm among friends and that is a comforting feeling.
Decorating cookies is what I have done for so many years now, with a passion. With extra time on my hands these days I needed something else to help fullfill my need to do for others as well as my own family. So I have recently started the Wilton cake classes and am loving it in every aspect. Socially, craftily, busily, creatively, caregiverly and satisfactionally!! Are all of those really words??? 
It is just fun that can be shared with all of those I love and care about. Decorating, cooking, baking and creating are all stress relievers and pain relievers for me in a variety of ways!
I just finished the 2nd class in Wilton 1 last night and am finishing my first cake this morning. I'll post pics when it is finished today.
Cheers to all!!
Lea
I have always been creative and have been involved with many, many hobbies over the years, but I've done cake decorating longer than anything else. I also find it to be a great stress reliever and a great way to show off my artistic talent. This website is one of the nicest things I have found to support my habit. I really enjoy interacting with all of you. Great therapy!
I did two years of therapy a number of years ago because the pain of my childhood sexual abuse and my burnout on life was pulling me in on myself. Seemed like I couldn't say no to anything at work, church, friends or community but I wasn't taking care of myself. Finally I went to my supervisor at work and said "one of these days I may not come to work" and told him of my struggle. He said "don't quit, I know what you're feeling because I've been there too." He got me 5 weeks leave of absence with two conditions, that I come back on a date set and I find someone to talk to in that time, a pastor, friend, counselor. I agreed and after a few weeks I made an appointment with a psychologist at our County Mental Health Clinic. Fees are based on your income there. I ended up seeing her for the first time on my first day back to work (her first available opening). She saved my life! My employer gave me an extra hour for lunch once a week for a year to go see her. Mostly I talked and she listened. Laughed and cried with me. She helped me figure everything out. AND she insisted I needed a hobby.
That's when I started tinkering in our old barn with a scrool saw my dh had had for years. Pretty soon my dh cleaned it up for me and started buying me tools here and there. I never get girly b-day or Christmas gifts, it's always tools and stuff! Now woodworking is my first love and therapy. It soothes me like nothing else, working with wood. I have bigger tools now and my projects are bigger. Cake decorating is my second love and in-the-house-and-get-to-eat-it therapy. Ü I love being creative and seeing the look on people's faces when they see and taste my creations.
I love to do other things too but most importantly I've learned that it's easy to let our worlds keep us so busy that we forget too take care of ourselves. It's not selfish to think of ourselves. I am obligated to take good care of myself, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Having these outlets and a family that has allowed me to pursue them holds me together and makes me the happy, goofy, well adjusted, centered person I am today. And don't let my little sister tell you different, she's a brat! LOL
In addition to having cakes, cookies, wood working etc to soothe us we ALL NEED a certain someone to talk to about the things that would drag us down and keep us from living life to our fullest potential. THINGS aren't important to me. Love, contentment, simplicity and peace ARE. THAT is what I wish for each of you who are struggling with your own personal struggles. I am putting a note on my monitor to pray for everyone on this thread each time I sit down here during the day. It only takes a few seconds to lift up others. I know many were doing the same for me when I was hurting. I think a lot of the people I've met here at cc. It's a terrific place to spend my time. There are many many I would love to meet in person and share what we know and enjoy.
Thanks to everyone here for having the courage to admit your struggles. That's a big step towards facing them head on. And that's a huge step towards leaving them behind.
Thank you CarolAnn and everyone who has posted. I am so grateful to each of you for being a part of my therapy and for helping me to grow in cake decorating and in life.
Rachel
cake decorating gives me an incredible sense of accomplishment. especially when i have a lot of little details to do (likes rows of tiny pearls). i also really enjoy math, and i think the two go hand in hand. figuring out a difficult algebra problem and making sure my flowers are evenly spaced are both very therapeutic to me.
Wonderful topic! Even though I took up cake decorating just about 7 years ago now, I in the last year definately have found that it is a perfect outlet for me when I am feeling stressed. I don't whip up a cake just to get rid of stress. A cake usually comes along when I am in the middle of an emotional break down.
Cake decorating is something that I can control, no one else. No one can tell me how to do it. It is something I consider myself pretty good at and that gives me peace. I work so well under pressure while doing a cake because that is one thing I know the end result will be great or I should say satisfying.
I am depending on my cake decorating to help me get through the next 6 plus months until my husband comes home. Thank goodness I have the San Diego Cake Show coming up at the end of March. I'm working on that cake now and I am loving the challenge!
Amy
I can definately see how cake decorating would help me get through a deployment. God bless all you military wives and your spouses (and parents).
Rachel
i have always been into baking cakes since i was a teen. Pretty much it was just plain cake, but liked it. My dream has been to attend culinary school, at first it was not for pastry. But i really became interested in cake decorating about 3-4 yrs ago. I used to watch Jacque Torress on foodnetwork, loved his work and all the things he did. I got inspired, i wanted to take classes. but i couldn't afford to, i've been a single mom for 12 yrs. Going to school part-time, kids & work was not an option. Til i found out i can at least start learning the basics in Michael's. Mom watched the kids for longer hours once a wk. i got hooked!! i love everything in the pastry world now. i do cakes, cookies, chocolates. Would love to learn sugar art. Right now it's just a hobby for me. Not really relaxing cause i feel very overwhelmed w/my little girl running around acting wild while im trying to decorate a cake. So i have to keep my eyes on both things. I'm not very artistic or creative, so that's my downfall on the cake decorating world. But i love it. i love it and hope to become better at it, take a few classes w/toba and learn all i can from you all here in the CC world.
I can definately see how cake decorating would help me get through a deployment. God bless all you military wives and your spouses (and parents).
Rachel
Thank you so much! It means a lot to know that we have people who support what we do and what we stand for! No matter the branch of service or the length of deployment, it's still difficult to go through as a family!
I'm here to support you too Rachel for any kind of support you may need. We might have more in common than you think! 
Amy
My husband was in the Army and served with the 3rd Infantry Division so I know the stress of the military and I give my heart and love to all military spouses. If I could do one thing in my life, it would be to start a Non-profit organization that would provide scholarships to all military spouses and financial assistance to military spouses who have lost their spouse. It's a passion of mine that will one day come into fruition.
Rachel
For me, it's a feeling of accomplishment that *I* did something good that people really seem to enjoy. Although I still totally doubt people when they say they like it...maybe it's just me. ( who me? You like what *I* made? Really?" Who paid you to say that?...that kind of thing.) I always wonder if they are just saying that. But then they come back so I need to start believing more in myself. It's also a feeling of joy that I did something nobody else in my family knows how to do.
One of the best things to me is to read comments from people I don't even know, fellow decorators especially or even overhear someone speaking very highly of my cakes when they don't know I can hear them. And one more, it's a sense of pride knowing I really like the finished cake. ( well, most of them. ) It's funny how a cake can really make my day!
KimAZ
I have bad agoraphobia (fear of being in public) and cakes help that a lot. whether it's forcing myself to go and buy supplies or delivering them or taking classes, it gets me out and about and makes me interact with the society that i fear so much.
and i'm bipolar, so cake is a good way to focus on something else. and if nothing else, i can eat the cake to feel better
Decorating cakes relaxes me, It also makes me happy when I can please others with my baking and deorating. I never ever thought I would be baking and decorating cakes.
I always asked myself what would I do when I retire, now I know (for now that is) 
I have been baking most of my life and just started decorating in 2005. I still work full time and I go home and "relax" in the eve. I am no longer bored to tears when my DH is working the the eve. I like the extra $ but it's not just about $. I'm glad I get more out of it than $.
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