Why Cooking Can Be Fun and Why It Sometimes Feels Like a Chore

Cooking is often seen as a necessary but dull task, yet it can also be a joyful and rewarding experience. Whether you choose to view it as a pleasure or a chore, understanding the reasons behind both perspectives can help you foster a more positive relationship with the activity. Let's delve into why cooking can be fun when it should be a chore and explore some strategies to make it more enjoyable.

The Joy in Cooking: Exploring Reasons for Fun

Creativity: Cooking offers a platform for self-expression and creativity. You can experiment with flavors, textures, and presentations, making each dish unique. The freedom to mix and match ingredients can be incredibly exciting and fulfilling.

Sense of Accomplishment: Preparing a meal from scratch can be highly satisfying and elevate your confidence. Completing a recipe or creating a delicious dish provides a tangible reward, boosting your mood and sense of achievement.

Mindfulness: Cooking can be a meditative process that helps you focus and be present. Focusing on tasks like chopping, seasoning, and plating can be relaxing and grounding, especially in today's fast-paced world.

Social Activity: Cooking can foster connection and shared experiences. Whether it's cooking with family, friends, or hosting a dinner party, it encourages interaction and bonding.

Learning and Growth: Cooking introduces you to new recipes, ingredients, and techniques, making the process intellectually stimulating. It can be an exciting journey of discovery and experimentation.

Sensory Experience: The smells, colors, and tastes involved in cooking can be highly pleasurable. Engaging your senses can make the process more enjoyable and memorable.

Customization: You have control over what you eat. Cooking allows you to tailor meals to your dietary preferences and restrictions, making each dish more satisfying and personal.

Cultural Connection: Many people find joy in cooking traditional dishes that connect them to their heritage or culture, adding emotional significance to the activity.

Days of Less Stress in the Kitchen

I love cooking, but sometimes it feels like a lot of work. Some days, the thought of having to chop vegetables, measure ingredients, and clean up contributes to feelings of stress. However, on other days, I find it incredibly fun and relaxing. Recently, I had such a scenario that made cooking a truly enjoyable experience.

Due to lockdown, we were unable to get vegetables over the weekend. As both of us work from home, it became increasingly difficult to get vegetables on weekdays. Usually, I would remind my husband to get the vegetables, but it was never done in time. Today, I was faced with the same situation. My vegetable garden had been picked clean, leaving me with only potatoes. Since it was Thursday, I couldn't make a meal with eggs, leaving me in a dilemma. However, I decided not to stress myself and instead adopted a different approach.

I prepared a vegetable-less lunch for us. I used a lemon for lemon rice and curd rice for both of us, adding mashed potato as a side dish. It was a hassle-free cooking day as I didn't have to spend time on cutting vegetables. My son was excited, as he hadn't had different lunch in a while, and my husband was impressed and suggested we could go without vegetables for a few more days if I continued to cook like this. This experience was a reminder that cooking can be fun even when you have limited ingredients or time.

My takeaway was that sometimes, instead of stressing over the thought of cooking, it's helpful to think of an easy and playful approach. This can make the process more enjoyable and less of a chore.

So, whether you're cooking for a social event, seeking a new culinary adventure, or simply wanting to create a sense of accomplishment, remember that cooking can be a joyful and fulfilling experience. Embrace the creativity, mindfulness, and personal satisfaction that comes with it, and don't let stress dull the fun.