Cooking On Your Own
By Some Witch
@somewitch (2099)
February 8, 2025 4:50pm CST
I used to hate the kitchen.
I've always perceived it as overwhelming because of the loud noises, the strong smells and the heavy atmosphere due to people rushing all over the place.
Now that I've given myself the opportunity to experience cooking on my own, I'm getting to really enjoy it. Even when I fail, I don't get discouraged easily. Self-criticism hurts less than someone else's, which helps. Also, it feels nice to not be constantly told what to do, or be given unsoliticed advice, or to not feel like a child. Looking young has its advantages, but sometimes you just want to be recognized as a capable adult. Just sometimes.
You get to go at your own pace, be your own boss. You know where everything is, more or less.
I can't understand why anyone would ask for help in the kitchen unless they were in a desperate race against time.
Sure, you save time, but you sacrifice so much in the process.
What do you think? Now I'm thinking even cleaning up is better when you do it on your own!
Photo was generated by Google's AI, Gemini. Credits where due, as always.
16 people like this
15 responses
@somewitch (2099)
•
8 Feb
@wolfgirl569 It isn’t the most thrilling activity to do, unless it’s the extraordinary kind. But it can be somehow relaxing with the right music and nobody around. At least for me! 
3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
8 Feb
@TheHorse Let me know how much you enjoyed doing so then! 
2 people like this
@marguicha (225015)
• Chile
8 Feb
I love to cook but I don´t like to wash pots and dishes.
3 people like this
@marguicha (225015)
• Chile
8 Feb
@somewitch It happened once in every big while when my husband was alive. He made the best ceviche ever. But he needed a lot of helpers. If I had known then, I would have been yelling "yes, chef" at him all the time.
3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
8 Feb
@marguicha But it could be worse, you could have to clean after someone else and you didn’t even get to enjoy the cooking process.
3 people like this
@allknowing (140944)
• India
8 Feb
I like to try new recipes and for routine cooking I need help with the nitty gritty
3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@allknowing Experimenting is fun, especially when all goes well: it is very rewarding. 
Routine, on the other hand, can be relaxing at best because you go autopilot, so to speak. Then help is nice when there's a lot to prepare and helpers know exactly what to do.
Routine, on the other hand, can be relaxing at best because you go autopilot, so to speak. Then help is nice when there's a lot to prepare and helpers know exactly what to do.1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (141761)
• United States
9 Feb
Pretty asks me for help because she doesn't like to cut up veggies or meats. After I've prepared everything for her, then she wants the kitchen to herself.
Sometimes I ask for help because I can't see well enough to read a recipe or the back of a box of something.
I used to help my wife just so we could spend more time together. It didn't matter what we were doing, we were still chatting about our day or about whatever happened to come to mind right then.
May I ask how old you are? Of course, don't tell me if me asking makes you uncomfortable.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (141761)
• United States
9 Feb
@id_peace That would be me. It only takes a few minutes and it's done. I clean the counters and the stovetop when they need cleaned. Pretty cleans the floors through the house after she does the dusting.
2 people like this
@id_peace (14919)
• Singapore
9 Feb
@DaddyEvil it would take me about half an hour at least. The impact of a food coma make me lazy plus it will take more time if the pots are very oily.
2 people like this
@rakski (132885)
• Philippines
10 Feb
@somewitch because it is tiring to cook when you need to prepare a lot. But at the end of the day it is still me whosegoing to clean up
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@rakski Why? Is it the task itself that is boring or is it a matter of time?
1 person likes this
@pumpkinjam (8861)
• United Kingdom
8 Feb
Since I've taught myself to cook (as opposed to doing it as a chore, making bland food the way I was taught), I have enjoyed cooking. I don't like people in the kitchen at the same time as me unless I need help with a specific thing. My eldest son will help but he actual does help. For example, if we need to prepare several ingredients, we share that task. My husband will come in to ask if I want his help but he really just gets in the way. I don't think I could stand a kitchen with more than one other person in it. Well, apart from if I'm baking with/teaching my sons or my niblings. My husband does all of the dishes and the cleaning after dinner, which is good as I don't like to do that!
3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@pumpkinjam Chemistry is a thing in the kitchen too, and I'm not talking about the reactions that involve food and ingredients. Good your husband does the washing and cleaning at least.
Good your husband does the washing and cleaning at least. 1 person likes this
@kareng (68197)
• United States
9 Feb
@somewitch Right and caked on food or remainder of food is also harder to clean!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
9 Feb
@kareng I also like to clean up as soon as I'm done, or right after the meal. Dirty dishes are just more gross, if not intimidating, when left in the sink for a while.
1 person likes this
@id_peace (14919)
• Singapore
10 Feb
@somewitch Same here. I try not to use that much and clean up almost immediately. It will help if everyone washes their own plates
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@id_peace Yeah, it would be great if everyone was to clean after themselves!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@id_peace I try to use as few tools as possible and wash them right away, so it never feels like too much when I have to clean up. But it's a chore after everyone has eaten, with all the plates and glasses.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (82537)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
8 Feb
I ordered my groceries today, Now I have a full fridge but nothing to eat, No one to make me a meal, 
I will start making my own meals tomorrow,
I will start making my own meals tomorrow,3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
8 Feb
@RasmaSandra Aww! It's nice to have something ready, whether you buy it frozen or choose a day where to meal prep. I always keep a frozen pizza somewhere.
It's nice to have something ready, whether you buy it frozen or choose a day where to meal prep. I always keep a frozen pizza somewhere. 3 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@JudyEv Yes, especially since I don't like blaming others when crap happens. So they better get out of the way so I can take full responsibility.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (106722)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
8 Feb
I like cleaning up messes in the kitchen as well as the bedroom by myself since I feel better cleaning up a huge mess,
2 people like this
@somewitch (2099)
•
8 Feb
@Deepizzaguy I can relate, it’s satisfying to see a pristine environment!
2 people like this
@grenery8 (13523)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
11 Feb
@somewitch peace was always a fragile and especially if someone hurt us and our self-esteem istn't the best so stay away, all you peace wreckers
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@grenery8 Yup, I'm a bit on the avoidant side so I might lose on many things but peace.
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4338)
• United States
9 Feb
I hate the whole process of cooking and cleaning. I was in charge when I was married so that was a disaster through and through, but now I can just clean up after my mom cooks since I moved in with my parents five years ago.
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@lilacskies Sometimes it feels like it takes time away from other activities, the way sleeping does. In that case, I get to hate it a little too. Then of course, there's stuff I wouldn't enjoy doing such as frying. That's terrifying. Terrifrying. 
1 person likes this
@lilacskies (4338)
• United States
10 Feb
@somewitch Yes, sometimes sleeping feels like such a waste of time, but it does heal your body and you feel way better afterwards. Cooking doesn't always make you feel better like it does with sleeping. Frying is very terrifying indeed. You can burn yourself!
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3569)
• India
9 Feb
Is it not amazing how you started loving the kitchen. Looks like cooking is not just a skill, rather it is sort of self-expression and freedom for you. It is definitely satisfying to be in control of your space, make mistakes without any judgements and most importantly going at your own pace! It is definitely frustrating when people do not recognize our capabilities. Cooking solo has its own perks and it is definitely a peaceful and rewarding journey. I see that you are loving when you travel at your pace and do things without any interruption and seeing things in order. I feel that you found your rhythm in the kitchen. Enjoy the time!
1 person likes this
@somewitch (2099)
•
10 Feb
@RevivedWarrior Well said, cooking is a creative pursuit!
I guess going solo makes it a judgement-free zone, it's like art therapy but with food. 
I guess going solo makes it a judgement-free zone, it's like art therapy but with food. 1 person likes this
