"Forgive what I'm about to say, I cannot be held responsible - I've had no coffee yet"

galenkp

Every working day for the last four years I've spent around three hours in a coffee shop close to work. I've been working there of course...OK, I wasn't always working, but I was always in the middle of my working day so let's just roll with working, yes?

It was a comfortable place, sort of funky and eclectic, and much more interesting than my actual office so I felt much happier being there. More energised.

I'm always treated like family and the food is great, the coffee really great and I found myself to be far more centred when there. I'd sit and people watch in between working on my laptop, take and make phone calls and have the occasional conversation with some of the other regulars from time to time. It was just a nice place to be.

I found a great deal of value there, I mean internally. I felt comfortable, welcomed and I guess that made me content; it also made me more productive both there and at those times I was in my actual office. I knew I could escape so I feel I was more efficient at the office to get to the café sooner knowing I'd feel so much more comfortable. It was grand.

That all changed recently though.

When I ended my employment with the company I no longer had an excuse to go the café daily, it's not close to home, and whilst I've been there a few times in the last couple of weeks it feels different. I'm still welcomed with a happy, g'day G-dog, by the owner, still banter and have a laugh and the food and coffee is the same but...Not being there every day makes me feel a little disconnected from it and I suppose the good feelings I gained there. It makes me feel a little sad as it's been such a big part of my days for so long.

I miss more than the place. It's not just about the food or coffee no matter how good they are, it's more the overall feeling of comfort, the loss of those comfortable moments I found there; the feeling of belonging and the enjoyment found in those hours.

I often say I'm not very social but in reality that's not altogether true. I'm just selective with the people I decide to be social with.

I can find enjoyment and satisfaction being alone, all introverts can, but spending time with people I value is one of the most enjoyable things and those nutbags in that café, the owner, her girlfriend and cousin, were great value. I'll miss not seeing them each day.

I've done a lot of business in cafe's and coffee shops over the years and I've been in so many I've lost count. I know a good one when I'm in it and it's got nothing to do with the look of the place; It's all about the way one is treated, the atmosphere, feel of the place, the food and the coffee or tea of course. If those elements come together than I'll come back and if not...Not even the best coffee will bring me back.

I'll keep returning to this café despite it being out of my way and not very close to home. The girls will be just as friendly and the food and coffee just as good. But I can't go every day, it's just not possible.

There's a few places around my home that are decent and I go there now and then but they're not my favourite café and unfortunately for them my favourite café is what I measure all the others against. I'll keep trying though I guess, after all, one can never really have enough coffee right? The café-experimentation will be glorious.

"Here’s to all the people who remain unharmed because I have coffee and a sense of humor."

Anonymous