Rolling in the Dough. Finding Passion in Pastry: Lessons from My First Attempt

It’s taken me 57 years to make my first pastry. That’s right, five decades and change before I finally rolled up my sleeves, got sticky, and made a floury mess on my kitchen bench. Was it perfect? Absolutely not. Was it joyful? Oh, yes—like a mini celebration of childlike play.

Humidity and pastry are not the best of friends, as I quickly learned, and my dough was a little too thick and crumbly in places. By baking standards, my pastry might score a humble C-minus. But in the grand scheme of life? It was an A-plus experience. And yes, I’m already planning to try again.

As I worked the dough, my mind wandered, as it often does when I’m knee-deep in a creative process. I realized that this humble quiche Lorraine I was preparing—my second ever, no less—was a lesson in more than just cooking. It was about taking time, trusting the process, and finding joy in imperfection.

I could have hobbled (moon boot and all) down to the corner store for premade pastry or even a preassembled quiche. But where’s the joy in that? Where’s the discovery, the mess, the triumph of tasting something you made from scratch?

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Start Where You Are

Finding your passion—whether in pastry or something else entirely—often starts with looking at what you already have. For this quiche, I rummaged through my fridge and pantry, piecing together ingredients: a bit of garlic here, a dollop of Dijon mustard there. I didn’t follow the recipe exactly, but that’s okay. It became my own.

Passions work the same way. Sometimes, you know exactly what you’re working with, and all you need is a recipe, a teacher, or a mentor to guide you. Other times, you have to sit down, take stock, and figure out what’s in your pantry before you can start.

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Perfection Isn’t the Goal

It’s easy to get caught up in the rush for results. In today’s fast-paced world, we want things quick and perfect—whether it’s a quiche, a career, or a new hobby. But here’s the thing: rushing through the process doesn’t give you time to enjoy the journey.

Making my first pastry wasn’t perfect, and neither was the quiche. But it was a start. Just like when I built my first website—a slow, trial-and-error process because I couldn’t find the right teacher. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about persistence.

Tips for Overcoming Perfection

1. Set Realistic Expectations
   Accept that your first attempt won’t be perfect. Instead of aiming for flawless, aim for progress. Remember: mastery is built on the foundations of many imperfect tries.
2. Focus on the Process, Not the Result
   Enjoy the act of doing rather than obsessing over the outcome. What did you learn? How did you feel during the process? These are as valuable as the end result.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
   Did your pastry stick together? Did the quiche taste good? Celebrate those victories, no matter how small. Each one is a step toward improvement.

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Finding Time in a Busy World

Time is often the biggest hurdle to pursuing passion. Sometimes, it feels like you have too much of it, and other times, it’s as if you’re racing the clock. Either way, it’s easy to let time—or the lack of it—become an excuse for not starting.

But here’s the thing: finding your passion doesn’t require endless hours. It just requires a little time here and there, a willingness to make a mess, and the determination to keep going, even if the first attempt is far from perfect.

Tips for Finding Time

1. Start Small
   You don’t need hours to begin. Set aside 15-30 minutes a week to focus on your passion. Small, consistent steps add up over time.
2. Prioritize What Brings Joy
   Not everything on your to-do list is equally important. Identify tasks you can postpone or delegate and carve out space for what lights you up.
3. Combine Passions with Routine
   Can you integrate your passion into daily life? For example, if you enjoy cooking, make mealtime an experiment in creativity.
4. Limit Distractions
   Put your phone on silent, close unnecessary tabs, and focus on the task at hand. Even a short distraction-free block of time can be incredibly productive.

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Pastry, Passions, and Progress

So, what’s next for me and my pastry-making adventures? Another attempt, of course. Maybe it’ll turn out better, or maybe I’ll make a new kind of mess. Either way, I’m in for the ride.

And for you? Whatever your “pastry” may be—whether it’s a new hobby, a career shift, or simply finding joy in the little things—start where you are. Take stock of what you’ve got, find a recipe that speaks to you, and don’t let perfection (or time) hold you back.

Because life, much like quiche, is far more delicious when you make it your own.

What About You?

Do you have any tips or tricks for making pastry? I’d love to hear them—especially if you’ve mastered the art of not making it too crumbly!

And what passions or projects are you working on right now? What’s your version of “making pastry”? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to know!

P.S Not my quiche, but it does look good. I think I know what I’m having for dinner tonight.