Brewing Creativity

The therapeutic power of morning coffee

Coffee with a view

There’s something truly magical about that first cup of coffee in the morning, isn’t there?  For many of us, it’s not just a beverage; it’s a ritual, a moment of tranquility and anticipation before the day begins in earnest.  If your mornings are filled with hustle and bustle, and often feel like a race against the clock, that first sip of coffee is a moment of solace, a chance to pause and savour the simple pleasures of life.

Earlier I was thinking back to my corporate life in radio, gone are those days of hurried trips through the drive through on the way to work. Now my mornings are a well oiled machine, a carefully choreographed routine to get everyone - dogs, kids and myself up and out the door before 730am. But amidst the chaos, there’s one thing I refuse to compromise on… the quality of my coffee.

I’ve always taken pride in investing in good quality coffee, made to perfection in my trusty velvetiser machine.  It’s a cheats coffee making machine. I do have the all- singing-all-dancing machine, but I don’t have time for that either.  These days I opt for oat milk, due to my dairy allergies, in my humble opinion it does make for a creamier brew. Within minutes I’ve created the smoothest flat white that kickstarts my day like nothing else. And while I may occasionally feel guilty for repurposing my chocolate making machine from Hotel Chocolat into the coffee powerhouse that its become, the convenience and deliciousness it provides are undeniable.

But my love affair with coffee runs deeper than just a morning pick me up.  Once upon a time, I ventured into the world of coffee entrepreneurship, chasing a dream to create my very own “Central Perk”. It was a whirlwind adventure, filled with excitement, ambition and of course plenty of caffeine fuelled brainstorming sessions. And though the story of my coffee shop venture didn’t have a happy ending, one thing remains constant, my appreciation for the simple pleasure of a quality cup of coffee to start my day.  I love to reminisce about my coffee shop days, the strong bonds that were formed between owner and customer were truly humbling.  The banter between tradespeople, directors and local characters became the heartbeat of the business and one I miss to this day. Looking back I realise the sheer joy I felt by being greeted every morning by the same friendly faces, never shy in sharing their stories whilst they wait for their favourite cuppa and pastry to go.

The untold story of my life as a coffee shop owner is one I’d like to share one day, because it was filled with so many extraordinary tales, some hilarious, some inspirational and some down right awful.  The people I met, the mistakes I made, the cash I lost, the challenges I overcame, the lessons I learnt and the team that I built, all memories I’ll cherish for many years to come. It was a business that broke me on so many levels. But I never regret taking one of the riskiest business decisions of my life to date. Maybe I’ll get to tell you more about it over a coffee one day?!

So I’m curious to know, how do you take your coffee?  Whether you’re a black coffee purist, a latte lover or somewhere in-between, I invite you to join me in celebrating the joy and ritual off the first sip - because in a world that is always in motion, sometimes all it takes is a moment of coffee-fuelled bliss to set the tone for the day.  Cheers to that!

You might be enjoying your second or third coffee by now, and maybe you’re in the journaling mood, if so, please help yourself to these journaling prompts…

1. Reflect on your morning coffee ritual. How does it make you feel?  What emotions or memories does it evoke?

2. Consider the role of coffee in your creative process. Does it inspire you or help you focus and why?

3. Consider how you can infuse mindfulness into your coffee ritual.  Focus on being fully present and savouring each moment as you end you first cup of coffee.

“Good ideas start with brainstorming. Great ideas start with coffee.”

Until the next time

Take care and stay safe xxx

If you’re a new follower, hello and welcome. So who is the writer behind 'with ease'? I’m Tanya Lynch, a mother, a ridgeback owner and the founder of Ease Retreats.  I love what I do, collaborating with authors and creatives, hosting retreats in beautiful venues across the UK.  I’m also a therapeutic journaling coach and through my program ‘Rage on a Page’, I help midlife women channel their emotions into something more positive and creative. Each Thursday I host an online journaling club called Journal with Ease and it’s free for paid subscribers to attend. If my daily monologues resonate with you, don’t be shy, please reach out and connect, I’m usually found chatting on Substack or on a beach walking the dogs.