The recipe never tastes the same – and that’s the whole point

Lately, I’ve been sitting with a thought that’s been quietly simmering in the back of my mind. You know how sometimes something small like a failed dish or a casual memory suddenly starts feeling a lot deeper than it should?

This is what happened to me the other day while trying to recreate one of my mom’s recipes here in the UK. I followed everything to the letter, I measured each spice just like she taught me. Watched the time, cooked it exactly the same way, and yet… it just didn’t taste like hers.

For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why. But then it clicked, it’s not just what she puts in the dish – it’s how she brings it all together, it’s her rhythm in the kitchen, her experience, her instincts, her quiet, motherly love. The kind of stuff you can’t write down or measure, you just feel it. Weirdly enough, that’s when I realised something else: Isn’t that exactly how success works too?

The flavour of success

We see people out there who seem to be “doing it all right”, they have their perfect morning routines, glowing LinkedIn updates, 5am workouts, endless energy, and we think okay, I will do what they do, I will follow the steps, surely that will work, but even after ticking off all the boxes, something still feels off.

Success is not just about following a set of instructions. It’s not about blindly copying someone’s routine, yes, discipline matters, so do goals and strategies, but the real flavour of success?, that comes from the things only you bring to the table. Your story. Your energy. Your timing. Your intuition. Your values.

You could follow someone else’s recipe perfectly – and still end up with a dish that doesn’t taste quite right, and that’s not something to fix, that’s actually the beauty of it.  Success isn’t about being a perfect copy, it’s about being an honest original.

My journey to the UK: A recipe in the making

I felt this lesson most strongly when I moved to the UK, everything I once found familiar was suddenly different.  A new country. A different culture. A colder climate (I’m still not used to those grey mornings, honestly). New routines. A new education system. A new chapter of life.

Those first few weeks were not easy, even simple things like buying groceries, joining a conversation in class, or figuring out how to take a bus felt unfamiliar. But quietly, a little voice kept asking “Am I doing this right? Am I fitting in?” So I did what many of us do, I tried to follow the recipe, be polished, be efficient, be confident, be calm.

But the more I tried to fit in, the more I felt like I was losing myself. Until one day, I just stopped. I stopped trying to become who I thought I should be and leaned into who I already was. Then everything started to shift, I started trusting my instincts again, letting my personality show, owning my accent, my humour, my quirks – that’s when things began to click.

Cranfield: Finding home in a new place

A huge part of that shift came from Cranfield University, right from the start it didn’t feel like just a place to study, it felt like a place that actually saw me.

The staff and faculty? Genuinely kind and supportive.
The campus? Diverse, welcoming, vibrant.

I made friends from different courses and backgrounds people I laughed with, learned from, and leaned on. We bonded through the Cranfield Student Association, over group projects, dance events, and late-night snacks.

I’ve been lucky enough to get involved in some amazing communities here:

• I am the Student Social Media Marketing Manager for the TEDx Club—where we bring bold ideas and big conversations to life.
• I’m part of the Consulting Club, which constantly challenges me to think critically and creatively
• I also serve as the Student Social Media Manager for the CraneAERO Project—a student-led initiative contributing to Cranfield’s legacy in aerospace innovation.
• For a fun twist, I’ve joined the Salsa Club, yes, I take salsa classes right here in Cranfield (and no, I didn’t think I’d enjoy it this much).

We’ve studied together, explored the countryside, laughed at our cultural mishaps, and picked each other up on tough days. These friendships have become my chosen family.

And Cranfield? It’s not just where I study—it’s where I’ve grown.

My Internship: A new layer of growth

One of the newest (and most exciting!) chapters in my journey is securing my first internship. I have recently accepted an opportunity with Bedford Coffee Roasters as a Digital Marketing and CRM Intern—a local brand known for its bold brews and strong community spirit. (yes, the coffee obsession is very real ☕)

I haven’t started yet, but even getting here taught me so much. The application process pushed me to reflect on my skills, my story, and what I truly bring to the table. It feels like I’m getting ready to walk into a new kitchen with unfamiliar tools, different pressures, and lots to learn.

But here’s what gives me confidence: I know I’ll bring my own flavour to whatever I do, because I’ve learned that in professional spaces too, your unique background, your culture, your energy, your ideas isn’t just something extra. It’s something essential.

The real lesson? Be your own secret ingredient

Through all of this – failed recipes, homesickness, spontaneous dancing, new friendships, projects, and personal wins, one lesson keeps coming back: You can follow the same steps. But your version will always taste different. And that’s exactly the point.

The world will try to hand you templates, checklists, and “proven paths.” But the real growth? The real success?

It comes from within.  You are your own secret ingredient.

Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s. Your success won’t taste like theirs. And that’s not something to hide, it’s something to celebrate.