My mornings always started with a routine.
I would begin by opening a bag of coffee beans and taking a breath before scooping out the perfect amount, for grinding them up fresh each time I made a cup of coffee at home. The distinct sound of the grinder. Some find it oddly satisfying while others can’t stand it. The aroma of ground coffee filling the air around me and the gentle bubbling sound as the water heats up all combined to create a calming ritual that helped me savor every moment. To keep my coffee warm without losing its flavor quickly after brewing it in my French press or pour over cone setup at home I’d even preheat my favorite mug, with hot water before pouring in the freshly brewed coffee from my kettle. The moment I took that sip it felt like my efforts had paid off.
Making coffee wasn’t a task, for me; it was my way of finding inner peace – a simple daily ritual that kept me centered and connected with the present moment (yes I know it sounds cliché). It served as a reminder to stay mindful and take a moment to breathe as I started my day rather than diving headfirst into it. As I have learned over the years, it is important to “Enjoy the Journey.”
These days things have changed a bit for me as I have a couple of coffee machines, with timers and various settings like strength adjustments and easy, to use buttons. Equipped with all the features one could imagine and one machine complete with an app! The quality of the coffee remains top notch as always; however, unfortunately, the traditional ritual aspect seems to be fading away.
After I pour my cup and savor a sip of it each morning, I experience delight. You might even notice a smile forming on my lips.
In the absence of my activities and habits, coffee remains a comforting constant in my routine. It serves as a reminder that happiness can stem from simple pleasures rather than extravagant indulgences. Just taking the time to appreciate the little things around us can bring immense joy and contentment. That’s where true enchantment lies.
In our paced world where we’re always urged to hurry and accomplish tasks quickly, I’ve come to understand that the precious moments occur during the pauses, between activities—the quiet sip of a drink or a deep breath—those fleeting instances when you fully appreciate being exactly where you are.
Having that taste of coffee really sets the tone for my day. Whether I’ve prepared it ahead of time or gone through the brewing process manually; it symbolizes a clean slate and a little victory to kickstart my day on a positive note.
Improving oneself doesn’t always require achieving a milestone or completely transforming one’s life overnight; sometimes it’s about the actions like appreciating the warmth of a cup in your hands, taking a moment to breathe deeply before starting your day, and finding contentment in simple joys.
I’ve come to realize that sticking to routines can make a difference in how I handle larger tasks and responsibilities. I find that taking a moment to be fully present while enjoying my morning coffee really sets the tone for the day. It influences my work ethic, the way I engage with people, and how smoothly I navigate through the rest of my day. When I take the time to appreciate the joys in life, I feel calmer, more present, and content overall. When I make space to notice the beauty in the everyday stuff, I’m more patient, more focused, and more at peace.
It’s something I’m still practicing — still learning — but I’m glad I am. The world doesn’t need to slow down for me to enjoy life. I just need to pause long enough to take a sip, smile, and remember: even now, I’m getting better every day.
I love that you (used to) grind your own coffee beans every morning. It’s certainly an iconic sound 😉
Having worked for Starbucks, coffee making – and drinking – has become a sacred ritual for me as well, and I truly look forward to it when I get up in the morning. It actually helps me to get up even if I’d prefer to stay in bed for a little longer.
Question: How do you get back in synch if one day, for whatever reason, your calm ritual gets disrupted?
Thank you for sharing your love for grinding coffee beans and making coffee a sacred ritual, Tamara – I am with you! For me, this started with my parents who did the same thing. I remember hearing that sound early in the am – kind of like an alarm clock…
I usually do not notice if my calm ritual gets disrupted… until later in the morning when I feel ‘off’ – LOL. In that case, I take a deep breath and clean my mind.
Rest assured, however, there are very few days that get no coffee! LOL.
I start the day with my coffee in hand and just love to sit quietly and plan the day ahead. To me, it’s calming and it helps me focus. Everyone needs to slow down a little. It’s always rush here, rush there. When we started full time RVing 8 years ago, we were in the fast mode. We’d get up at 5 or 6 am to get on the road if it was moving day, and hurry to our next destination. No more of that. Now, we get up whenever, enjoy our coffee, and take our time. As long as we’re out of the campground by checkout time of 11 or noon, we’re good. Everybody needs to slow down at least a little and enjoy life.
Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear how taking the time to slow down and enjoy your morning coffee has had such a positive impact on your day. I remember gettign up at the crack of dawn to get to the camping ground and get “the most” out of our time. Ironic that we do so much in order to do so little. LOL!
This was such a peaceful read. I love how you captured the magic in a simple cup of coffee—such a beautiful reminder that joy really does live in the little things.
Thanks!
I’m also a creature of habit when it comes to my morning routine. For me it’s tea not coffee. I enjoy just sitting for about an hour with a couple of cups of tea, surfing, and planning out my day. If I don’t get that time my day never goes the same.
That sounds like a lovely and peaceful morning routine! Taking that time for yourself to enjoy tea, relax, and plan your day is an awesome way to kick off the day.. It’s great that you have found a routine that works so well for you.
We invested in an all-in-one machine that grinds the beans, then uses a steam/shower system to brew the coffee. I love the smell of that first cup. Bliss.
What did you get, Kandas? Mine does the same – the app lets me try all different sorts of brews!
It occurs to me that Life will never slow down, but when I slow down with purpose, the inner peace overtakes the craziness of the world. That is my greatest hope everyday.
What is the saying?
Take control and be “on purpose”, Kate!
What a lovely read! I feel a birthday more peaceful. I start my coffee ritual by opening the bag and taking a deep breath in. I have tried grinding beans before but never seemed to grind enough, the coffee was always too weak. Anyway, that first smell of the grounds before I put them in the machine are heaven. I try to take my first sip away from my desk so I can fully enjoy it. It’s a lovely pause before tackling the day.
Do you have a favorite brand or blend of beans?
I did that for a while – not enough coffee… then too much… and of course, the grind of the beans is important… Too coarse.. to fine.. so many parameters.
I have a vew brands of coffee that I like – the constant is that I like DARK roast.. sometimes I will even use espresso beans for my regular coffee.
Dark roast is my jam too! I will have questions for you later!
Espresso for all!
I love making different flavored coffees, like mint. Do you like adding different flavors?
I keep it nice and simple, Brenda. Black. Period. LOL. I do, once in a while, will have a flavored coffee like a Carmel Vanilla. 🙂