Reflecting on a Year of Passion: Celebrating ‘Yemi’s Food Stories’
People often ask me how I evolved from a MasterChef UK contestant in 2022 when I finished in the top 6 as a semi-finalist to becoming a food writer for my local news channel – The Stray Ferret. My reply is simply that I reached out to them to pitch my idea and we decided on a short trial and 52 posts later, we keep going.
I have been on a growth journey and everyday I am reminded that there is so much to learn regardless of how much I think I already know. Some things come easy to us, for me it is the writing part; I am learning about using professional cameras, lighting, managing websites, food photography and food videography and some parts come easier than others.
The question remains, ‘how good at your craft do you want to be and are you willing to pay the price that comes with it.
So what have I learnt in the past year? Here are my reflections:
Embracing Passion
Following one’s passion is akin to nourishing the soul. As I embarked on this food blogging adventure, I realised the profound joy that comes from sharing my love for food with like-minded individuals. It’s essential to identify what truly ignites our spirits and pursue it wholeheartedly, regardless of our other commitments.
The Art of Juggling
Balancing a full-time career with a passion project requires meticulous planning and unwavering commitment. Learning to juggle multiple responsibilities demands effective time management and prioritisation. I discovered the importance of setting aside dedicated blocks of time for writing, recipe development, and engaging with my audience, even amidst a busy schedule.
Learning and Growth
Every step of this journey has been a learning experience. From honing my writing skills to experimenting with new recipes and photography techniques, continuous learning has been key to refining my craft. Embracing a growth mindset allows us to adapt, evolve, and constantly improve in pursuit of our goals.
So what can you do to balance work, life and your passion projects?
Plan with Purpose
Define clear objectives and create a realistic roadmap for your passion project. Set achievable milestones and allocate time wisely to stay on track. Planning is key to creating a to-do list that helps you to stay on track.
You will fill any spare time you have with non-value adding activities like mindless scrolling on social media unless you are clear on what is on your task list and you are purposefully dedicated to get it done which requires perseverance.
Time Management Mastery
Mastering time management is essential when juggling multiple commitments. Prioritise tasks based on importance and deadlines, and embrace productivity tools to optimise efficiency.
Commitment and Dedication
Stay committed to your passion even during challenging times. Dedicate consistent effort and maintain a positive mindset to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success.
As I reflect on this enriching journey, I am filled with gratitude for the support of The Stray Ferret community and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.
Here’s to celebrating the joy of pursuing passions and the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream and take action.
To find out more about my food journey, follow me on Instagram @yummy_bydesign, check out ‘Yemi’s Food Stories’ in https://www.thestrayferret.co.uk or check out my website www.olayemiadelekan.com from where you can link to all other resources.
Thank you for being part of this incredible adventure. Here’s to many more delicious discoveries and meaningful connections ahead! The fruity Entremet was created by my talented friend @babnaspatisserie to mark the first anniversary of my food writing using ingredients that I love showcasing my favourite colours. For details of the Entremet, check out my Instagram post. See you next week.
