Coffee at home

I enjoy coffee. I like the taste- but I really enjoy having a cup in both hands, smelling the fresh coffee warm or cold, and closing my eyes after my first sip. For me, coffee is a sign I'm taking care of myself. It means I took a pause to make or get coffee and have the moment- even when there are things to do.

Yes, this moment is often brief as I use the coffee to get me into work- but it is a mini luxury I give myself.

I enjoy the social aspect of coffee. While working in Oklahoma I started to take my coffee plain- because when I did so I could have my coffee with co workers instead of going back to my office for milk/sugar. It also made me feel a bit "tough"- which is weird because it was literally FOMO.

After moving to San Francisco, I dated a guy who would make coffee in a stove-top Moka pot. I had never made coffee at home before (my parents don't keep coffee at the house) but I was convinced he made perfect coffee. Even after we separated I found a Moka pot at at thrift store and tried to recreate his coffee- but it never really worked.

Once working, I'd wait until I was in the office for coffee- to share the moment with coworkers. When I started a job at an office with a barista, I'd still mostly get coffee with other people.

Then COVID-19 had us working at home.

My roommates and I would make coffee- once I forgot to put water in the bottom of the Moka pot and caused it to melt on the stove- but I had a French Press as back up.

Then we started going to get coffee shop coffee- which is a social event if you are alone or bring a friend.

Then I moved alone.

I could still go to a coffee shop- and I have quite often.

I have a few coffee mugs, each with a story about being given to me or found- I actually have had 4 "HAPPY Mugs" because I broke one during a stressful move and I cried so much I found 3 more online and stored them. I broke another at the office. and then 1 is left in the office since last March- and I have my last one here. (trying to restrain myself from getting another one)

Since moving in alone I've found a new cold-brew maker at Goodwill and I still have my french press. I got coffee from a local coffee roaster that smells SO good- they roast their coffee with solar energy- and they care about the environment. The taste of their coffee french pressed with 190 degree water- AHHHH!

But coffee, like so much in the last year, just doesn't feel the same. I don't feel the energy spike. I feel a sense of relaxation with coffee, like letting out a breath I've been holding in. I still go get coffee- but this leads me to wonder-

Is it the coffee or the socialization that energizes me?