The Animator

I decided to bake cookies one afternoon even though I had no idea what I was doing, and the kitchen instantly became a chaotic mess with flour dusting every surface and sugar spilling everywhere, but somehow it felt kind of exciting like a small experiment where failing didn’t really matter. I followed a recipe halfheartedly, tasting bits of dough and wondering if it would ever turn into something edible, and the smell slowly filled the room making it feel warm and alive. My little brother kept peeking over my shoulder asking when we could eat them and I kept promising “soon” even though I wasn’t sure myself, and when I finally pulled the tray out of the oven the cookies were oddly shaped and slightly burnt on the edges but perfect in a way only homemade things can be. Sitting there with a slightly crooked cookie in my hand, I realized baking wasn’t just about food—it was about trying something new, making a mess, laughing at yourself, and somehow creating a little moment that felt bigger than it should.