Trying Too Hard After Failing To Fail Again
The tale about my cooking journey is what I summarized in my title, I try - fail - try too hard - fail again - I try again. The journey seem not to have an end and I keep having failures amidst the successes I've had, it's a big feat to get to a success on one meal and go again for another. Up till now, I can't boost to myself or anyone that I'm a great cook but from my successes, I'd say the failures were worth it.
I owe all my successes to my dad who I always refer to as the perfect cook even though I know no one is perfect, it is just an exaggeration I got from the amount of knowledge I've gotten from him to keep trying even after I fail at cooking. He's been a great cook but not just that, he's an interesting teacher.
I remember one of my meal not sure if it was my first time cooking, dad wasn't around and the neighbor who's our caregiver had to rush out to get some things. My siblings and I were hungry, I decided to try out what I saw dad and our neighbor do with noodles. I got too excited and over confident that we threw all the food away as we couldn't even have a little of it. We stayed hungry till they came for us.
I guess that gave dad the confirmation that I wanted to learn cooking. Dad called me to the kitchen and was about to show me how to prepare one of our native soup when I asked him not to bother since I'll fail at it on my own when he's not around. My dad laughed at me while holding my hands, "You shouldn't just be able to prepare it after your first try, you're not a magician" my dad said that with a smile on his face. Dad made me understand that I would fail before I become successful at every new meal I tried.
It went on like that for me until I knew how to prepare a lot of but somehow dad never gets satisfied of my achievements, I would even blame his aging to be a cause for it as almost nothing taste good for him even after I go through the exact process he taught me. Dad kept giving me corrections after every trial and failure until he just decides to manage whatever I prepare.
I can't give a count of the number of times I've failed at cooking for my dad's satisfaction but I could count the number of times I've gotten compliments from him about my cooking and honestly, the little successes over weighs the failures I've had. I keep trying after failing to fail again until I gain successes in every new meal I try out, even at times some old meals I wish to perfect more.
Trying harder after a fail is becoming a positive hobby as successes are more sweeter and fun for me that way, thanks to the motivation I get from dad and others I try to learn from. One thing is sure, I'm don't plan to give up because I'll try harder after failing again.
I really loved how your dad presented failure as a very normal thing before you. This is great support to keep trying even after continuous failure. Not everyone can achieve this mindset to stay strong like this.
Well, keep trying, your dad will be satisfied soon.
Thanks for encouragement, I plan to keep trying 😊
Dads don't compliment easily, I don't know why but him eating and encouraging you to be better is the coolest thing ☺️
That's the kind of dad I'll love to be..... A dad that cooks for her children whenever the chance presents.
Don't be surprised to see a young guy praise you so well after eating your food because yes! Our taste buds grow weaker as we grow old.
But above all is your will to keep trying even after failing, that's literally where you got your spirit from
It's nice
Haha he's here again to save some info for later, now I don't feel safe when I see a notification from you lol 😂
Wait, is that true? Our taste buds grows weaker as we get old? 🥲 Wahala
Thanks dear
Told ya your pen will always say otherwise 😂
Don't worry, I won't use it elsewhere 😌
Lol let me trust you, got no other choice anyways 🥲
Thank God you do 😂
Hehe, I can't boast of being perfect at making pap o😹😹, I try today, get it, try tomorrow, and fail and try again and get it. That's the journey so babe, you're not alone even if it's not pap.
Lol that pap own is something else, I can't count the number of times I failed before I could successfully get it done well now 😂
I'm glad to know I'm not alone hehe
Hahs, we follow gather o
Haha abi o
You are lucky to have had an instructor for cooking, and a man for that matter 🙌.
I just hope you're still on track cos recipes from men are unbeatable 💯
Some times in the chase for perfection we might not notice it's right in front of us.
I believe you've nailed it and will continue to do so.
There's always a silver lining.
You're right about that, I'd like to think that too
Thanks
For some, failure (or perhaps lack of success) can be a great motivator. It sounds like it spurs you on to be better at the craft of cooking. For some, the repeated disapproval of a parent would cause them to give up on that goal. You are fortunate that it fosters a drive to succeed, @merit.ahama.
Thank you for sharing your creative nonfiction story in The Ink Well, and for reading and commenting on the work of other community members.
Yeah, I'm fortunate indeed
Thanks for the support
Your dad sounds like a really cool person.
Getting compliments from parents after making a meal is like winning the Grammys. Your post reminds me of the first time I got a compliment from my mom about my dish, I was holding my head with my hands to prevent it from falling off😅😅
Trying over again after failing is an art and a beautiful one at that. I'm glad you tried all over again and now you're confident to an extent about your cooking.
Thank You for sharing ✨
#dreemport.
Lol that was funny!
I understand very much how you felt when you got a compliment from mum 😂
Dad almost never give me any compliment so whenever he does, I could feel myself floating in the sky 🥲
This is the feeling.
Ps: dads are great cooks when they want to show it. Shhh, don't tell the moms😅
Haha no need, mum knows 😂😂
I thought it was a secret all the time, too bad😅
See you around dear merit✨
Lol it isn't anymore
I love that statement of your father. He showed virtues of a true father: he encouraged you to never give up till you get it. Although you may not have found perfection in your trials, it is damn obvious that you have greatly improved — and that's what trying again does.
I am definitely eating from your hands when I come visiting. I want to enjoy Merit's cuisine.
#dreemport
Lol better send HBD when you're about visiting so I can lavish ingredients in the meal you want to eat 🤧
You are more than capable, ma. Help your boy.
Who is my boy? Boy that argues with me all the time? 😂
If I don't argue with you, who will? #finkabourrit
This made me remember when I first started making yam porridge, whenever I see other people's own, I would be like, "how come mine is always different from the world?" I was taught over and over again but I wasn't getting the perfect way to make it. I just end up with a different method. Though it tasted nice but I just wanted to make it more perfect like others. I didn't stop until I got the magic behind it. Lol
The day I made another porridge and got what I wanted, I felt so elated.
It's normal to fail when you are trying something for the first time, even second time but we are improving on every trial until we get it done perfectly. The only thing is not to sabotage ourselves because it's the beginning of fear.
I came through #dreemport
Haha I can imagine how it was for you trying to get a recipe right, glad you got it at last.
I understand what you mean, and I've decided to keep learning with no fear but hopes for improvement.
I love your persevering spirit. I'm sure you'll get really good at cooking, with time.
Yeah sure, thanks dear