The Sweetness of the Slow Process

If photography is how I’m learning to see, the kitchen is where I’m learning to actually be. I’ve never been a “natural” cook or a dessert pro. For a long time, making a meal felt like just another item on my to-do list—another “streak” to maintain between work and the kids.

But lately, I’ve been looking at it differently. I’m finding that making a dessert from scratch is a bit like therapy. It’s a way to practice patience, forcing me to follow the steps, wait for things to set, and just focus on what’s right in front of me.

Recently, I saw a recipe for a strawberry bavarois on YouTube that looked so refreshing. But there was a catch: my son has an egg allergy. In the past, I might have just closed the tab, thinking it was too complicated to change. This time, I used Gemini to help me tweak the recipe so it was egg-free but still delicious.

It turned out light, mousse-like, and perfect for a warm summer. Seeing my daughter’s face light up and hearing a simple “thank you” from the family was the best part. It reminded me that I don’t need a huge block of free time to make something special; I just need to be intentional with the time I do have.

While I was making the bavarois, I couldn’t resist grabbing my camera. I’m currently taking part in Mike Brown’s “Photo Creative” challenge, and I decided to submit a shot of the finished dessert for the January theme “Pastimes” (the one with the server lifting a slice).

Just like a slow shutter speed, you can’t rush a bavarois. If you try to slice it before it’s had time to set in the fridge, it just falls apart. Life feels a lot like that lately. We’re often so eager to see the “result” that we don’t give ourselves the time we need to actually settle into a new pace.

I’m not making these treats because I’m a master chef or because I have hours to spare. I’m making them because the process helps me stay grounded. Whether it’s tweaking a recipe for my kids or waiting for the right light to hit a plate, the real magic isn’t in making it look perfect—it’s in the effort I put into the steps.

I’m learning that flow doesn’t come from rushing to the finish line. It comes from actually being present for the middle parts, even when they feel a bit slow.

“Good things need time to settle. When we stop rushing the result, we finally give the process enough room to actually work its magic.”

I’m still very much a beginner here. I’m still practising being patient with my hands in the kitchen and my eye behind the camera. It’s a work in progress, and for the first time, I’m actually okay with that.

I’d love for you to look at your own “to-do list” this week. Is there one chore or task you usually rush through that you could try to do a little more slowly?

What is one small thing you could do today—not because you’re “good” at it, but just because you enjoy the process of doing it?

With love & gratitude,

Thanks for being here. Simply Kysemi is a space where I’m practising a slower, more intentional pace. To keep things calm, I check my messages and comments only when I have the time. I truly appreciate your thoughts and will get back to you as soon as my schedule allows.