As many of us know (yes, those design students and designers out there), before starting out with any design we all have to do primary research and secondary research to get in touch with our target audiences. I did the same thing. I had an idea, I tried to develop it, sketched something out...But then I stopped. I had no motivation and I didn’t know what I was doing anymore. Things went wrong, in life and in love. Sometimes it is in the middle of your final year project. I was terribly lonely, I could neither sleep nor eat.
One day, I woke up early, heated up the milk, and ate an avocado with wholegrain bread. A simple start to the morning lightened up my mood. The next day, I went to a nearby wet market and felt like Alice in Wonderland. :) All these small activities became so visible. At first, cooking was a therapy for myself. I was making lunch and listening to Neil Gaiman's commencement speech. He said, “...whatever you do you have one thing that's unique. You have the ability to make art. And for me, and for so many of the people I have known, that's been a lifesaver. The ultimate lifesaver. It gets you through good times and it gets you through the other ones...” This is the reason why I made my first cooking magazine filled with “comfort food for lonely moments” and recipes that help to reconnect people.
Looking back at every dish in the magazine, my heart was grieved. Eight years away from home, I always think I’m the loneliest person on earth whether I’m with my close friends or surrounded by hundreds of people. I have never had a long-term relationship before either. The truth is I’m not a good cook, but I still keep cooking and knowing that I’m taking every step to move on with my life.
The making of this magazine from start until the end is when I felt the most unloved until I understood that I need no one but me to love and cherish myself. And from a person who can barely cook, I have become someone who watches “Cooking with Dog” and tells other people how to cook. All the recipes aren’t the most delicious but I had fun in the kitchen.
I know there is somebody out there who has just gone through a bad breakup, or lost a loved one, or is maybe suffering from homesickness and isolation -- I just want to let you know that life goes on and there is wonderful food which rejuvenates your body and soul. We all have emotional connections with food that run deep. These connections are part of who we are and food touches the best in all of us.
I deeply appreciate all the support from friends, cousins and my family in the making of this magazine. Without you all, this project will just stay in my “to do” list!
Visit my Instagram @herlittlekitchen for more recipes :)
