From Reluctant Cook to Culinary Explorer: A Journey of Perseverance and Self-Belief

At 25, life took an unexpected turn. Until my wedding day, I had never set foot in a kitchen. I was a pampered child who had never spent a single night away from my parents. Cooking? Household chores? They were foreign concepts to me. My world revolved around academics, career aspirations, and the comfort of a home where everything was taken care of. Throughout my education, I was a consistent topper, excelling in both my undergraduate and postgraduate studies. I earned an MBA in HR and built a career as a HR analyst in an IT company, where my work was challenging yet fulfilling. My dedication and performance earned me accolades, and I was even offered a managerial role I had worked tirelessly for.

However, life had other plans. Around the same time, I met the love of my life and was faced with a life-altering decision—pursue a managerial role I had worked hard for or move abroad with my husband, who was working overseas. I put all my trust in God and without much hesitation, I followed my heart. I believed life abroad would be a dream come true—full of adventure, excitement, and ease. But reality had a different script written for me.

For the first time, I found myself in an unfamiliar environment with no family around to turn to, no familiar faces, no comforting presence of home. Until then, I had never managed a home, let alone handle responsibilities from cooking to household management, all while accommodating an overwhelming transition. I had to take charge of everything from A to Z. Alongside these responsibilities, loneliness crept in, anxiety became a constant companion, and homesickness made every day feel heavier than the last. Being away from home, away from everything familiar, took a toll on me. Already battling these emotional challenges, I had to juggle learning something entirely new—cooking—something I knew absolutely nothing about and had never been interested in. The pressure was immense, but I had no choice but to push through. Every meal felt like a test I wasn’t prepared for.

The challenge became even more intense because my husband and I had different tastes in food. Cooking wasn't just about making meals; it was about accommodating our preferences and creating something we both enjoyed. There were moments of frustration, times I wanted to give up. I remember standing in the kitchen, staring at ingredients I didn’t even know how to use, feeling completely overwhelmed. But I didn’t have the luxury of quitting. Reluctantly, I had to learn, and I did.

I turned to every possible resource—Instagram videos, YouTube tutorials and guidance from my mom, grandmother, and even my husband’s grandmother. Learning wasn’t easy, and there were moments of frustration. Some days, I failed miserably. Other days, I made small victories. But I kept going.

Through it all, my husband was my greatest pillar of support. Whenever self-doubt crept in, whenever I felt like giving up, he was there, encouraging me, reminding me of my strengths, and motivating me to keep pushing forward. His belief in me helped me believe in myself.

What started as a necessity soon transformed into a passion. Step by step, I immersed myself in the world of cooking turning my kitchen into a place of discovery. I didn’t just learn to cook meals; I mastered the art of making diverse cuisines, snacks, desserts, and even baking. The moment I realized I could confidently share recipes with my mom, who had always been an amazing cook, was the moment I knew I had transformed. What once felt like an impossible task had soon become second nature.

This journey taught me something life-changing: Your mindset can either hold you back or set you free. I resisted cooking at first, convinced it wasn’t for me. But the moment I decided to embrace it, everything changed. And isn’t that true for life as well? We grow the most when we step outside our comfort zones.

To every woman reading this, know that you are not alone in your fears and uncertainties. Stepping into the unknown is daunting, but with determination and self-belief, you can conquer any challenge. This story isn’t just about cooking—it’s about embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and proving to yourself that you are stronger than you ever imagined.

Whatever life throws at you, face it head-on. You might struggle. You might even fail at first. But if you push through, if you believe in yourself, you will emerge stronger, wiser, and more capable than ever before.

So, take that leap of faith. Embrace the unexpected. Trust yourself.

Because on the other side of fear, there’s a version of you waiting to be discovered.