The Power of Questions

So, the power of questions. It might seem like a vague title, but I promise you, I've always found that this is one of the most important concepts as someone with dietary restrictions.

I always think to myself: as someone with celiac, where am I without questions? How would I navigate restaurants, sleepovers, camps, and cafeterias if I didn't have the power to inquire. And by power, I mean assuredness, confidence, the sense of unrepentance and I-don't-care-what-people-think. It might seem like I'm spiraling, but what I'm aiming to discuss in today's post is the vitality of asking, no matter what. Trust me, I'm sure people have become irritated or exasperated as I held up the line talking about cross contamination at a Starbucks, at restaurants, even during class activities. However, this article is a reminder to never feel guilty. This was a popular trend when I was younger, where I would feel myself redden knowing that I was holding people up in the line, so much so that I would either stop and go about my day feeling unsafe, or I would simply cave and decide instead to not participate at all. 

Thus is the purpose of today: dissuading you from doing just that. Distancing. Disconnecting. And this isn't necessarily something that can't be applied elsewhere; this applies to everybody's entire life. As humans, we care so much what others think of us, how we are perceived, but in certain situations, we need to learn how to throw such an instinct in the trash. Especially if you have dietary restrictions, if what you are discussing interferes with your health, your livelihood. I can't bestow this superpower upon anybody, but if I could, I would. 

Just as a little recap and reminder: when it concerns having celiac or avoiding gluten, it is non-negotiable that you deserve to ask the questions that make you feel safe or instead help you decide whether to offer your trust to whatever provider you're working with. So, if you ever hear some grumbles in the crowd or if you're about to begin a bit of a more lengthy cross contamination discussion, try not to be embarrassed. You deserve your safety 💛

Until next time, 

Genuine GF