If this is your first time reading these monthly life updates, welcome!
I am happy that you are here. These life update posts are a way to share things that I am working on, enjoying, and struggling with. They are honest conversations about my life in a particular month. But I think more than anything, they are a diary of where I was, am, and now are heading.
If that interests you, keep on reading. I have some news to share.
What Is Working?
Relationship building:
When it comes to running a successful business online, building relationships are SO important. The truth is that I work alone in my kitchen (and in front of my computer) all day long, and there are days that I don’t talk to a soul. While I am (and have been) happy in my bubble, I am now learning that it doesn’t work that way. You have to know your peers and build relationships. So, for the last two years, I have been actively working on connecting with successful people running online businesses.
This month, I went to Chicago for a food blogging conference to meet other food bloggers and learn from people in the industry. In addition to learning the latest trends, I have made many new friends. I attended classes where I learned about where the food blogging community is heading and what I need to do to keep up with it.
Needless to say, it was an incredible experience. Having made new friends and rekindled relationships with the old ones, I felt seen and understood. Plus, visiting Chicago, where my BFF lives, and spending time with her is always a fun time.
A Short Trip to Turkey
If you have been around for a while, you know that my dad moved from Turkey in December 2020. We didn’t want him to be alone during the pandemic and thought it would be best to be together.
Well, that is now coming to an end. With the Covid numbers going down worldwide, he decided it was time to go back. Even though he has been enjoying his time here, the language barrier and a not-so-welcoming US healthcare system made it difficult for us to have him stay here any longer.
So, we are making the trip back home together in May. My plan is to drop him off and take some time off to see friends and family. It will be a short trip for me, but I look forward to it.
Air Fryer Goodness Coming Your Way
If I am being honest, I was a bit nervous about starting a new series with Air Fryer recipes. I didn’t know if my readers would be interested in recipes made with a yet-another kitchen gadget.
I was happily surprised that many of you own an air fryer, and many are interested in getting one. I have published only three recipes so far, but I am testing more recipes, so stay tuned.
What Is Not Working?
War:
Like many, I have been overwhelmed with the war going on in Ukraine. It is mindblowing that something like this can happen in this day and age. I have spent the better part of March glued to the TV, watching all that unfold and feeling depressed about the violence and the lives lost.
We have already donated money to World Central Kitchen and Unicef, but the fact that we can’t do anything else is so sad. I hope and pray that it comes to an end soon. And more importantly, the powers-to-be learn that we are all connected, and war should never be the answer to any problem.
Not Being Able to Keep Up With the Joneses:
As a part of my job, I need to be on top of popular recipes. Nowadays, social media channels like Instagram and TikTok seem to be where one can find interesting recipes.
However, some of the viral dishes don’t make any sense. At least to me. I am having the most challenging time making myself try (and publish) some of these recipes.
A good example of this is the yogurt/custard toast that became popular a few weeks ago. Essentially, it is made by mixing yogurt with an egg, spreading it on toast, baking it in the oven, and serving it with various toppings.
While I can see it being a kid-friendly food, I don’t see myself making it in my kitchen. I am not saying that you shouldn’t make it. Instead, I am questioning whether or not I am the person who makes something because I need my numbers to look good for those who are watching.
This, to me, is a bigger part of the problem in that the direction of what people are interested in (and what goes viral) has gone to a place where I am not sure if I want to go to be relevant.
Sadly, I don’t enjoy scrolling through one “wanna-be-viral” video after another in 15-60 second intervals. Instead, I find it exhausting.
Still, I am very much aware that change is the only thing that doesn’t change, and the only way to stay relevant is to find those trends that match my values and where I want to take my own brand and let the rest go.
Though it is easier said than done.
Sold Out in 30 Seconds!
On April 4th, I will turn 44 years old. Since I’ll be 44 on 4.4, we wanted to do something special and put a checkmark next to the item on the top of our bucket list: Having dinner at the French Laundry in Yountville, CA.
I have heard that it was difficult to get in. An online article said that it is best to be in front of the computer and ready to book as soon as the reservation lines are open.
But boy, did I not know that a month’s worth of reservations would sell out in 30 seconds! Yup, you read that right. I was there, ready to sign up. I was trying to make a reservation. And it sold out in 30-freaking-seconds. Every single time slot I picked was sold out in seconds.
We had to postpone to another time. I know very well that in a world where there are wars and people are dying, this is a first-world problem, but I was bummed.
Imagine though… What an experience it must be that people are willing to plan ahead and race to book your restaurant, and it sells out in 30 seconds month after month!
My hats off to you, Thomas Keller.
What Am I Looking Forward to in April?
Getting Back into Gardening
Last April, you might remember, we assembled our raised garden beds and planted a few different tomatoes and fresh herbs.
We learned a lot along the way, and I am excited to get back into it this year. My dad was a massive help, so it won’t be as much fun to do without him, but I would have to work. Because it brings me so much joy to grow my own vegetables and use them in my cooking throughout the warmer months.
I have already purchased this years’ seeds and plan on working on them later this month.
Getting Ahead with Content Creation
The biggest goal of 2022 is to get ahead with content creation and publish and create recipes ahead of time. I have spent the last two months doing so, and I am almost there.
There is still work to be done, but I want to be at least a month ahead by the time I am ready to go to Turkey in May.
And hopefully, I will be back to doing these life updates on the regular again.
I Leave You With This
Ryan Holiday has always been my go-to source for wisdom and philosophy. The video below is packed with actionable steps and perspectives based on the philosophies of Marcus Aurelius.
He talks about stoic rules to make your life better. I have benefited from it so much that I wanted to share it here.
Until next month…
Aysegul
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