Oh, fudge! When things don’t turn out the way you hoped
Published 11:00 am Sunday, December 24, 2023
- PHOTO BY BRAD CAMPBELLHomemade fudge
Just the other day I picked up the necessary ingredients, got busy in the kitchen, and worked diligently to stir up a batch of old-fashioned homemade fudge. I measured everything precisely.I followed the directions to the letter.I stirred constantly. I did everything I was supposed to do.
It wasn’t long before the wonderful aroma of the thick hot chocolate mixture filled the house. It smelled great. I finished the product, poured it into the prepared pan, and waited.And waited.And waited.And waited some more.I finally gave up on seeing the gooey stuff set up, I covered it, and put it in the fridge for the night.
The next morning I retrieved the pan full of the prettiest looking fudge you’ve ever seen.I tried cutting it, and it just oozed back together. It never set up. So much for taking it to a family gathering that day.I began texting my sister asking for her opinion and helpful hints.First of all, this was not my first fudge rodeo. However, the results had always been the same.Beautiful to look at.Wonderful to smell.But never set up like it should.
My sister’s kind suggestion was to just pour it in a jar, call it “spoon fudge,” and pretend I meant for it to be like that!So I took her advice, and the jar you see here is the result.
This year is very quickly coming to an end (or may have already, depending on when you see this). The brand new year of 2024 is appearing with all of its possibilities and promises of a grander tomorrow. So my point to this rambling is simply this —
Maybe 2023 didn’t turn out like you meant for it to.Maybe you believe you did everything just right.You followed His direction, you did everything you could to make sure all was right. And yet, it still didn’t set right.Maybe the year looked beautiful, but you feel fooled by how it turned out.My advice to you is to just pour it in a jar, call it something else delicious, and pretend you meant for it to be that way.
The nice thing about my “failed” fudge is that it tastes absolutely delicious!A spoonful of the delectable treat will make you want for more.It’s all in your perspective.I could have dumped the “mistake” and started over or even given up completely.Instead, I came up with a wonderful result, even if it was unintentional.
Maybe 2023 hasn’t come together like you hoped.Aw, fudge!Maybe, just maybe you need to take a different look at it, grab yourself a spoon, and just enjoy the fruits (or fudge) of your labors! You may find that it has turned out so much better than it could have!
FAQs
Tell them straight. Like an ultimatum, you could tell them they need to step up to keep your interest – because right now it's waning. If you do this, be prepared to walk away or have them do the walking if they can't be bothered (which should tell you all you need to know).
What to do when you love someone but the relationship isn't working? ›
How to Stop Wanting Someone You Can't Have
- Work Through Your Feelings. When you love someone you can't have, it's common to bury your feelings in an effort to avoid the painful realities of your situation. ...
- Focus on Yourself. ...
- Make Time for Friends and Family. ...
- Don't Be So Hard on Yourself. ...
- Don't Give Up on Love.
How to give effort in a relationship? ›
- Dec 13, 2023. 10 ways to put effort into your relationship. ...
- Effort in a relationship. Making an effort in a relationship is a sign of a happy, healthy and sound relationship. ...
- Communication. ...
- Show affection. ...
- Prioritise. ...
- Support each other's passions. ...
- Date nights. ...
- Compliments.
When you like someone but you know it won't work? ›
Try to stop thinking about them as often and distract yourself from any thoughts that arise. Look for objective ways to remind yourself why this person is not for you by reminding yourself of behaviors, values, or lifestyle differences that are incompatible with your way of living.
How to respond to a low effort text? ›
Best Ways to Respond to a Dry Texter
Restart the conversation by bringing up his interests. Use a playful question to fix a texting rut. Mention a fun memory to remind him of your connection. Send a photo to give you more to talk about.
How to tell a guy he is low effort? ›
Let your boyfriend know as soon as you start feeling like you need more attention or effort from him. Address him calmly and tell him directly what you want using I-statements, like "I feel like I haven't gotten the attention I need in the relationship."
When to stop fighting for a relationship? ›
If you invest meaningful time and energy into resolving an ongoing conflict without any progress, then it's possible that the relationship simply isn't right. Another sign that it's time to break up is if your arguments escalate to physical or emotional abuse.
How do you know if a relationship isn't going to last? ›
You have an overwhelming, overall gut feeling that this relationship isn't working; you feel negatively often. You cry, complain or feel anxious about some aspect of the relationship or your partner multiple times a week. You don't enjoy spending time with your partner or need alone time more than usual.
What does lack of effort look like in a relationship? ›
However, consistently failing to appreciate your partner's efforts or taking them for granted can create feelings of resentment or neglect. For example, if one partner consistently fails to express gratitude or acknowledge their partner's contributions, it can indicate a lack of effort in appreciating the relationship.
When should I stop putting effort into a relationship? ›
If your relationship and bond with your partner are deteriorating, then sit calmly and think about the good things in your partner and your relationship. If you find yourself unable to find one good reason, then it's time to stop making efforts to improve your relationship with your better half.
They cancel plans without rescheduling, no longer initiate date nights, or consistently choose to spend their weekends with people other than you. They evade interaction with less texts, calls, and FaceTimes, or don't wait up to walk together after class.
How do you know if someone doesn't actually like you? ›
"Believe it or not, the distance someone keeps from you, whether or not their arms are crossed, lack of eye contact, forced smiles and other nonverbal behaviors can and sometimes are indicators as to whether or not someone likes you," she said.
How do you know if someone doesn't like being around you? ›
There are times in life when it seems like someone isn't genuinely interested in being your friend. Several telltale indicators include being reserved during your interactions, consistently failing to initiate contact, and constantly giving excuses in order to avoid plans.
What to do when a guy is putting in minimal effort? ›
5 things to do when he is not putting in the effort
- Have a conversation with him. How to tell him he's not putting in an effort? ...
- Calm down. You might feel betrayed and flare up if a guy tells you he's still in love with his ex. ...
- Understand his point of view. ...
- Take responsibility. ...
- Give him some space.
What to say when he feels low? ›
Encourage them to talk by saying:
- "Can you tell me more about what's going on?"
- "If you want to tell me more, I'm here to listen"
- "I've noticed you haven't been yourself, is there anything on your mind?"
- "I can see this is hard for you to open up about. It's ok to take your time. I'm not in any rush"
How do you tell a guy you appreciate his effort? ›
Be specific when you tell your partner that you're thankful for them. “You're the best, babe.” “Thanks so much for everything.” “I don't know what I would do without you.”
How do you reject a low effort date? ›
State it straight and calm, as a statement of fact, like a news reporter: “I don't like/do last-minute dates.” (Do NOT say, “Thank you, but…”) Then quickly walk away. No discussion. He can figure out a good way to apologize later, and it is up to you whether you will or not.