The Struggles of Adulting

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Ah, adulting.

They said it would be fun. They said it would be freeing. They said you’d feel empowered to make decisions like cooking your own meals, paying bills, and managing your life like a real grown-up.

What they didn’t tell me, though, was that cooking as an adult sometimes feels like stepping into the Hunger Games, and I’m the one who’s about to lose. Phew!

So, the other day, I decided to take a leap and cook a “proper” meal. No more noodles. No more biscuits. I was going to make Nigeria's smoky Jollof rice, the dish that’s meant to define your entire existence. I had everything ready: the rice, the seasoning, the hope... and a lot of ambition. Lol.

I went on YouTube to find a simple recipe because, let’s be real, I wasn’t trying to cook like Chef T, something straightforward that wouldn’t turn into an Instagram disaster. My search led me to a 10-step guide, and I felt ready.

“This is easy,” I thought. “I’ve got this!”

Fast forward 20 minutes, and I was standing over the pot with a look of complete confusion on my face. What was supposed to be a delicious Jollof rice was now a disaster, a suspiciously soupy mess that looked like it could be a secret potion for something unholy.

The rice wasn’t cooked properly, the sauce was questionable, and I honestly wasn’t sure if I should try to salvage it or just call the fire department. Lol.

I didn’t want to give up, so I did what any sensible adult would do in this situation: I added more seasoning. I figured if the experts on YouTube could turn any dish into a masterpiece with the right spices, maybe I could do the same. Spoiler alert: I didn’t.

The end result? Something that could only be described as “charred disappointment.” It looked nothing like the Jollof rice I see on Instagram. It didn’t even taste close to what my mummy or sister would make. But I ate it anyway because, well, I’m an adult now, and I’m not about to let a pot of failed rice make me feel like a failure. Never!

Lesson of the day? Adulting isn’t always the glamorous, “I’ve got my life together” vibe we see on social media. Sometimes, it’s about learning from your mistakes, laughing at yourself, and accepting that not every meal will turn out as planned.

So here’s to all the times you’ve tried to adult and ended up with a kitchen disaster. You’re not alone, and the journey is as much about the struggles as it is about the wins.

Have you ever tried cooking something that ended in disaster? Drop your funniest kitchen fails in the comments; let’s laugh together and remind ourselves that we’re all just winging it!