2020 was an absolute roller coaster of emotions, from lockdown, to online school to zoom hangouts. Like everyone, it took a toll on my mental health, especially the first 3 months of lockdown. Baking helped me cope with the stress and anxiety. I’ve been baking since my childhood, started decorating cakes in 9th grade but I practiced throughout 2019, whenever I got time that is. I got my first order on 2nd January 2020 and I was absolutely elated! Once the pandemic hit, online school saved me of lot of time, which I mostly spent baking. I experimented with new recipes, new techniques, new designs and new desserts during school breaks, mornings and nights. I created an Instagram account and began posting pictures and videos of my desserts. I was overwhelmed (and still am) by the sheer love and support from my family, friends and teachers. It wasnt a piece of cake, juggling this with Grade 11, with the additional pressure of being a pure science student. But my parents encouraged me, helped me maintain balance, consoled me when I failed, and ate burnt/underbaked scraps of cake.
I decided to make my 16th birthday cake last year. The cake flopped miserably, everything possible part of it went wrong. The mishap demotivated me quite a bit. My friends and family gave me all the constant reassurance and validation I needed whenever I doubted my abilities. There was a lot of crying, mental breakdowns, failure, wastage, back and feet pain but I didn’t stop, and I’m glad I didn’t. Baking became my escape from reality, from school and from the future. I practiced tirelessly and by the end of the year I made about 50 cakes for my family and friends, learnt so many new techniques, won my first baking competition, and took a hands-on 3-day cake decoration workshop for 6 students.
2020 wasn’t easy, for sure. It taught me that nothing is permanent, bonds can be made and can be broken with the snap of a finger. Change is inevitable, but the only constant is you. Keep learning, have faith in yourself, change for the better and do what YOU love. Looking back, I know for a fact that 10 year old Divya crying over a tray of burnt cupcakes would’ve been proud. Keep going, it’ll all be worth it 🙂
Divya Patchigolla – Reposted from youthof2020stories on Instagram, a humansof2020 initiative
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