Living solo for the first time has been an unexpected adventure. Not only am I navigating everything from cooking to taxes (adulting!), but I’ve also discovered a surprising passion for whipping up delicious meals. My weekend staple: miso chili oil pasta with a side of garlic bread and green beans. I never knew I’d enjoy cooking, let alone cooking for others. I’ve also been loving listening to French and Parisian music while cooking, and it’s sort of the highlight of my weekends. College and this newfound independence pushed me to explore a side of myself I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Also, shoutout to Mayflower because if it wasn’t for the kitchen I wouldn’t be here!

But being on my own, especially with a hefty 11-hour time difference from my parents, definitely has its challenges. This isn’t something I was cognizant of until I had a moment of vulnerability at Target a month ago over something quite trivial: the shade of blush I should buy. While on the surface it might seem trivial, and superficial even, the reason I cried was because I missed having moments of not thinking when I had my dad around me and him waiting patiently as I took the longest amount of time to make a decision. It’s so comforting to know that I don’t need to think because he can make some decisions for me and they’ll be the exact decisions that I would’ve made. When you’re constantly making decisions living all on your own, it’s nice to not have to think for once and I guess I missed that feeling. While I wouldn’t trade the independence, sometimes I miss the comfort of having someone make a choice for me, just one less thing to think about.

Despite the occasional Target meltdown, I’m incredibly grateful for every experience, both good and bad. This journey wouldn’t be the same without my amazing friends to share it with. Here’s to them and to the unexpected joys (and meltdowns) of growing up on my own plate!