Why I love going for coffee alone

Walking into the cafe, I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. The bitter sweet aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingers at the back of my throat and I can almost taste it. I can hear quiet chatter and the clinging of cups… It’s a symphony for the senses.

I quickly order a cup of the good stuff and watch mesmerized as the barista prepares my hazelnut latte. I walk over to the table in the far corner. I sit down and sip. I take a deep breath in and exhale a week’s worth of troubles, concerns, stress and anxiety. This is me time. This is my spot and this is how I recharge.

Many find the idea of sitting down alone in similar settings unnerving.

“Are people watching me?”

“What am I meant to do with myself?”

“I’m bored.”

“ Maybe I look like a weirdo”

That used to be me. I used to have the exact same concerns. But I was wrong. Sitting down by myself, being with myself and with my own thoughts is how I recharge.

Don’t get me wrong, I am an extrovert. I like crowds, I like conversations, I love connecting with people. The more the merrier! But over the years I have learned that in order for me to be happy, I have to be comfortable being in my own company.

These days I regularly spend pockets of time alone in a coffee shop (there is something almost soothing about these places).

Whereas I used to dread alone time, I now celebrate it. It’s my sacred ritual. I get to be in the present moment. Uninterrupted and with minimal distractions I get to look around, reflect on my week, really focus on myself… Watching the busy world around me as I am sat still makes me feels at peace.

I have come to realize that solitude doesn’t mean I am lonely; it is in fact empowering. Being happy by yourself, being comfortable with your own thoughts, enjoying your own company is a sign of content. This is how I feel the most like myself. Introverts are well aware of the importance of alone time, but I believe everyone, even an extrovert like myself can benefit from regular intervals of alone time.

Distraction is the enemy of clarity, so in a way, alone time will clear your head, help you find focus and sanity. I know that’s the effect it has on me.

Solitude helps me find my centre, reconnect with my true self, rediscover who I truly am and who I want to be. In turn, this improves my relationship with others, because once you really love yourself, then you can offer a whole different love to those around you.

In the day and age when we’re always on, I highly recommend that you find a quiet place, disconnect from the world and connect with yourself.

Let your mind wander to where it needs to get to. We all need an escape from time to time; an escape and good cup of coffee.