Coffee Date | Summer 2019
If you and I had coffee...
We'd meet up at this little cafe that has the best chai tea lattes around. We'd take our drink orders out to the wrought iron patio tables nestled under stone-colored umbrellas because it is gorgeous outside today. We are finally beginning to transition from the long humid days to a more enjoyable climate, and the warm breeze is too good to pass up.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd ask you how your month has been so far and to tell me something good that has happened for you recently. I'd tell you that August has been a great month for me already. I sat down at the end of July and set some intentional goals for my health, my relationships, and my writing career. One of my writing goals was to hit a daily word count and track it throughout the month. It would mean writing over 30,000 words in August and it would help me get back into a daily writing habit - something I've been neglecting recently.
I've unfortunately gotten into the habit of procrastinating when it came to writing. I blamed a lack of inspiration and not having enough time or energy. I made every excuse I could so I wouldn't have to sit down and write, but the longer I went on like that, the worse it got. Now, I sit down in front of a blank page and write something. If I can't work on outlining or fleshing out a freelance piece of something for the blog, I pick a journaling prompt from a long list I've built and just write. Usually, this stirs my inspiration pot and I am able to come up with ideas. Sometimes, I barely scratch out enough to meet my word count goal, but the daily practice is building up this brain muscle again.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that another goal I set for myself in August was to let go of negative energy in my life. One of the ways this is playing out is in my daily yoga routine. Normally, I do yoga for strength and flexibility, and the emotional benefits are a happy side effect. I'd do the different poses and get through my routine in a snap. This month, I'm focusing on yin yoga, where you hold the poses for two to five minutes at a time. Although it sounds pretty easy, I was surprised by how much emotional baggage comes up when you are forced to be still. The temptation is to quickly move on to the next pose, but I've been leaning into the frustration and breathing through it. This is NOT easy but I feel an incredible release at the end of my routines. On more than one occasion the release has been so powerful, it's brought me to tears.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I went through my jewelry box last week and have been trying to come to a decision about what to do with my old wedding band and engagement ring. It's been four years since I was a married woman, and these rings have been tucked away inside the little hand-carved wooden box that I received them in. They haven't been worn since the day I separated from the man who gave them to me, but I do love the rings. They are simple and minimalistic and so me. For this reason, I haven't wanted to sell them or have them repurposed into another piece of jewelry. It's been long enough now that I can look at them and not associate them with the relationship they initially represented. I've been thinking about wearing them again, on different fingers, obviously, but have been worried about the image that would present. I'd ask your opinion, because I do value it. Would it be weird if I wore these pieces that I love so much?
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I have been busy tweaking my monthly newsletter and finally feel like I have a design and aesthetic that I'm happy with. I got a lot of positive feedback on the last one that I sent out and hope that people continue to enjoy the content I share. I'd ask you if you have a newsletter for your blog or writing hustle. Do you like to read other writers' newsletters? What is the main factor in your decision to subscribe or not? This is one form of media that I really enjoy, so I'm always curious about what other people think.
If you and I had coffee...
We'd finish our drinks while chatting about our excitement for the back-to-school sales. Even though I don't have children of my own, I do enjoy stocking up on the stationery supplies I use while they are discounted and available in bulk. I'd tell you that I'm also thrilled that the autumn candles are hitting the shelves this month. We'd compare our favorite candle fragrances as we make our way out to the parking lot and ruefully end our chat with a hug and a promise to see each other again soon.
