Your best piece of writing ever! Please try and get it republished on other websites, or the weekend edition of one of the major papers. With your name, and your following, you can spread the word. This is from the gut, raw, meaningful emotion, that will resonate with many people -- and can save lives.
I am sharing this post directly with all of my subs by email. After leaving alcohol behind almost six years ago, I know how much of a better man I have become but I also feel that I wasted a lot of the time I had. We don’t always know how much we are hurting ourselves, potentially shaving years off a life or cutting one too short. I feel everyday like I know it’s coming, calling for something I did a long time ago. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Mental health is a struggle for us all to bear.
Years ago as I was embarking on that road warrior position…I had a mentor who took me aside and had “the talk” with me. He talked to me about loneliness and loosing site of work/life balance. He encouraged me to use the hotel gyms & find a force that I could relate to… meditation, walking ..something for myself that centered me when work traveling so it didn’t consume me. When we traveled together it was music. We would search out any source of music & spent many hysterical hours in some crazy places just letting go. I read that headline last week & my heart just sunk. I immediately thought of who was waiting for him back at home? Andrew your transparency & honesty about mental health issues is 1 of the reasons I adore you. Every single one of us is just a whisper away from cracking. Maybe that won’t be with a cocktail of pills for most….but it’s real & we need to normalize talking about it. Now more than ever…after the last couple of years…we’re not the same…the stress you see in kids, in seniors who have been so lonely …I can’t imagine how amplified those feelings are for someone battling addictions…🧡
Thanks for always sharing your honest truth. As a veteran, husband and father, I feel so shattered knowing Imposter Syndrome is such a pervasive reality for so many of us. Each loss brings it home and they just seem to be piling up so much more frequently in this digital age we live in.
My heart continues to break for each loss. Way back when, we felt so invincible ... and few of us knew the real struggles the others were facing. I still remember one classmate back in Poughkeepsie in the fall, laughing off “spent my summer drying out in MN with Oliver.” Pissed me off ... as I didn’t see Oliver as one who was laughing it off. Looking back so many years later, I’m a bit wiser and wonder what Jon was hiding behind the laughter. And I look at the many friends I’ve lost, and while in most, it wasn’t addiction that killed them, I wonder what that really did to them. I was thinking back recently when I learned one had just passed ... I remember him being rushed to the hospital about 35 year ago, thinking he was having a heart attack. The doctor told him if he stayed on the coke, he’d be lucky to see 28, he would not see 30. Mike saw 60 ... but that’s still not enough.
Take care of yourself, Andrew, and anyone else reading this. Fight for your health. We often learn too late that this is the only body we’ve got, and not everything can be fixed. And if your brain’s feeling off ... take care of that, too, as it’s a package deal. Ask for help when you need it. Call a friend when you need to. Call a friend when they need you.
The place of 'lonely' sits at the edge of the abyss. Each person's abyss looks different, summons differently. It's grip can seem like an embrace.. until it doesn't. Crawling out, too, shows itself in many faces. Grateful your journey took you to where you are now....I feel grateful to go along for the ride.
Can’t believe how much this piece speaks to me. As a long time road warrior who is now two years sober, heading back to hotels was my biggest fear. I have been devastated since learning about Taylor’s passing as a long time fan of him and the Foos. I appreciated reading this on both fronts. Have always been a big fan of yours Andrew but my respect just grew more. Thanks for writing this.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard being alone in addiction and recovery. I deal with it everyday. Hearing stories like yours reminds me that I am not as alone as I think. Thank you again, your an inspiration.
Thank you for writing so eloquently about this problem. As a former traveller, I can relate to everything you wrote. I’m glad I’m done with that part of my life, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
I’ve been a solo traveler for the last few years. It has broken me down and rebuilt me into a more conscious, compassionate human. I stayed in airbnbs just so I could stay out of hotels. It seems to be more comforting to stay in someone’s home rather than a lonely hotel room, for me. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life and thoughts. I make your dishes often and have always watched your shows. You taught me how to explain the taste of food in detail. Much love and respect to you.
Your best piece of writing ever! Please try and get it republished on other websites, or the weekend edition of one of the major papers. With your name, and your following, you can spread the word. This is from the gut, raw, meaningful emotion, that will resonate with many people -- and can save lives.
I am sharing this post directly with all of my subs by email. After leaving alcohol behind almost six years ago, I know how much of a better man I have become but I also feel that I wasted a lot of the time I had. We don’t always know how much we are hurting ourselves, potentially shaving years off a life or cutting one too short. I feel everyday like I know it’s coming, calling for something I did a long time ago. Ignorance isn’t bliss. Mental health is a struggle for us all to bear.
Important to consider when trying to process so much tragedy. Addiction is indeed a lonely road.
Chef, you never cease to amaze me. You have such a sense of people & food & culture. Thanks for writing. Your contribution is always noteworthy.
Years ago as I was embarking on that road warrior position…I had a mentor who took me aside and had “the talk” with me. He talked to me about loneliness and loosing site of work/life balance. He encouraged me to use the hotel gyms & find a force that I could relate to… meditation, walking ..something for myself that centered me when work traveling so it didn’t consume me. When we traveled together it was music. We would search out any source of music & spent many hysterical hours in some crazy places just letting go. I read that headline last week & my heart just sunk. I immediately thought of who was waiting for him back at home? Andrew your transparency & honesty about mental health issues is 1 of the reasons I adore you. Every single one of us is just a whisper away from cracking. Maybe that won’t be with a cocktail of pills for most….but it’s real & we need to normalize talking about it. Now more than ever…after the last couple of years…we’re not the same…the stress you see in kids, in seniors who have been so lonely …I can’t imagine how amplified those feelings are for someone battling addictions…🧡
Thanks for always sharing your honest truth. As a veteran, husband and father, I feel so shattered knowing Imposter Syndrome is such a pervasive reality for so many of us. Each loss brings it home and they just seem to be piling up so much more frequently in this digital age we live in.
My heart continues to break for each loss. Way back when, we felt so invincible ... and few of us knew the real struggles the others were facing. I still remember one classmate back in Poughkeepsie in the fall, laughing off “spent my summer drying out in MN with Oliver.” Pissed me off ... as I didn’t see Oliver as one who was laughing it off. Looking back so many years later, I’m a bit wiser and wonder what Jon was hiding behind the laughter. And I look at the many friends I’ve lost, and while in most, it wasn’t addiction that killed them, I wonder what that really did to them. I was thinking back recently when I learned one had just passed ... I remember him being rushed to the hospital about 35 year ago, thinking he was having a heart attack. The doctor told him if he stayed on the coke, he’d be lucky to see 28, he would not see 30. Mike saw 60 ... but that’s still not enough.
Take care of yourself, Andrew, and anyone else reading this. Fight for your health. We often learn too late that this is the only body we’ve got, and not everything can be fixed. And if your brain’s feeling off ... take care of that, too, as it’s a package deal. Ask for help when you need it. Call a friend when you need to. Call a friend when they need you.
The place of 'lonely' sits at the edge of the abyss. Each person's abyss looks different, summons differently. It's grip can seem like an embrace.. until it doesn't. Crawling out, too, shows itself in many faces. Grateful your journey took you to where you are now....I feel grateful to go along for the ride.
Can’t believe how much this piece speaks to me. As a long time road warrior who is now two years sober, heading back to hotels was my biggest fear. I have been devastated since learning about Taylor’s passing as a long time fan of him and the Foos. I appreciated reading this on both fronts. Have always been a big fan of yours Andrew but my respect just grew more. Thanks for writing this.
Thanks for being real ~
This helped keep me sober today. Taylor's passing hit me in a very personal place. Sending love to his family and friends and all struggling.
Thank you for your honesty
Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard being alone in addiction and recovery. I deal with it everyday. Hearing stories like yours reminds me that I am not as alone as I think. Thank you again, your an inspiration.
Thank you for sharing. I literally feel this to my core. Been there many times. Sober since 5/8/17, but I’m still leery of hotel stays. ❤️
Thank you for this ...
Thank you for writing so eloquently about this problem. As a former traveller, I can relate to everything you wrote. I’m glad I’m done with that part of my life, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world!
I’ve been a solo traveler for the last few years. It has broken me down and rebuilt me into a more conscious, compassionate human. I stayed in airbnbs just so I could stay out of hotels. It seems to be more comforting to stay in someone’s home rather than a lonely hotel room, for me. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your life and thoughts. I make your dishes often and have always watched your shows. You taught me how to explain the taste of food in detail. Much love and respect to you.