Today I spent 7 hours at a coffee shop.
I don’t know if you’ve ever spent 7 hours at a coffee shop, but I think everyone should at some point. You see, seven hours at a coffee shop is an important right of passage for any creator or dreamer. One might ask what you do for that amount of time in your little caffeinated corner, well I am glad you asked.
One thing you do is order coffee. It isn’t a requirement but it is encouraged to get the full experience. You can always do tea or even just pastries, you can’t go wrong with that. I prefer mine black but you also can’t go wrong with a solid almond milk latte which was today’s choice. So with coffee in hand, what’s next? Well I am glad you asked.
Next you sit down and enjoy the atmosphere. If it’s a good coffee shop it’ll probably be busy. While that might hinder seat finding it is a good thing. Einstein’s less known discovery was the equation of “MP = MA” or more commonly known as more people, more atmosphere. So if it’s busy, enjoy it. The conversations around you, the culture, the diversity of patrons, and the noise & hustle that manifests itself in caffeine watering hole. Today I witnessed people killing time, business deals, lovers enjoying a moment, friends catching up, and even two ladies connecting randomly and ending their discussion with a prayer. So after you’ve soaked in the atmosphere, now what? Well I am glad you asked.
Pull out the items you brought. You did bring items right? You can’t go to a coffee shop for VII hours empty handed. If you’re planning a coffee shop trip here’s what I was packing today and you’re welcome to do similar. First I pulled out my pens & sketch paper. Doodling at a coffee shop just feels right. Something about sips of the bean & strokes of the pen. I drew a bit to get the creative juices flowing. That’s always a good start before you pull out the other items. What other items are those? Well I am glad you asked.
Next is the laptop. If you’re going to be in a coffee shop for seven hours you’ll need a laptop. A phone can work but then you just look like you don’t want to be at the coffee shop, and you definitely do want to be there, that’s why you’re there for 7 hours. A laptop makes you look busy, and you should be busy, you’ve only got 7 hours there! The laptop is great for several things including online shopping, reading articles, and of course, writing. I prefer the latter which is why I spent most of my VII hours at the coffee shop writing on my novel & writing on my blog. Let the doodling be a catalyst and then get creative with your words. It’s lovely, it really is. So after you’ve lit the world on fire with your great ideas & stories you might be asking what next? Well I am glad you asked.
For me, next is a cool down. So the last item I pull out is a book. Sometimes multiple books. Take a little reading break and enjoy the hustle you put in. Today it was the Bible. But sometimes it’s fiction or business books or even magazines. Just take it something you can relax with and enjoy, for me that’s more than often than not a Bible story I haven’t read in a while or diving into some passages that will help my mind & ease my heart. It’s a great way to end your coffee shop visit and I like to say a little prayer in thank you for the creativity & the knowledge or experience gained throughout the whole time sipping on a cup of joe. You’re probably asking what do I do next after this grand experience? Well I am glad you asked. You go home, you just spent 7 hours at a coffee shop, you probably need real food or have chores to do or you’re missing someone.