Stop and Smell the [Coffee]
Stop and Smell the Roses (idiomatic) To relax; to take time out of one's busy schedule to enjoy or appreciate the beauty of life.
I took this as inspiration and created a tradition that I call Coffee Sunday. So join me and stop and smell the coffee and slow down to appreciate life. Even if you don't like coffee this one is worth a read. I also share how you can fit the concept of Coffee Sunday into your lifestyle.
So what is Coffee Sunday?
It's a tradition Tim and I started when we were living in Phoenix. Every Sunday we would pick a new local coffee shop to try. Sometimes we would sit and chat, sometimes we would bring books to read, and sometimes we would just pick up a coffee to go. It quickly became a simple date that we looked forward to every week. We even would continue the tradition when we were traveling and would include our family/ friends if we were with them. Through this we have gotten to try so many great local coffee shops around the country. By sharing about our coffee shop dates on instagram I’ve also found that others have a similar hobby. So by no means is coffee sunday unique to us which makes it even more special.
Some of the benefits of coffee Sunday:
You support a local business. This is important to me especially now because of the pandemic, but was important to me before as well. There is something so charming about local coffee shops that just cannot be replicated by Starbucks or other big chains (sorry Starbucks lovers but it’s true).
A low cost date option. A latte costs 4-8 dollars (depending what city you are in), a black coffee is even cheaper (2-5 dollars). Its a perfect, low cost way to slow down and spend time with those you love.
It’s a perfect way to reflect on the previous week or plan for the upcoming week. We routinely reflected on what has happened, or planned our meals/ trips/ schedules for the next week.
Leads you to discover new areas of town. We would stumble upon cute new shops, new restaurants to try, fun murals, you name it. Highly encourage walking the neighborhood the coffee shop is in to discover some new gems you maybe haven't seen before.
How you can fit the concept of Coffee Sunday to your lifestyle:
Need Lower Cost:
Make a tradition of having coffee at home 1 day a week, where you slow down and sit together (use beans from local roasters or just whatever coffee you normally use)
Busy Lifestyle:
Order coffee To-Go and go for a walk or a drive and just chat.
Don’t like Coffee:
Don’t get coffee at all, instead grab a donut, pastries, tea, hot coco.
Sunday’s already pretty busy:
Maybe instead its Pizza Friday, Taco Tuesday, Ice Cream Friday etc.
Live Alone:
Video Chat or Call a family member or friend who lives far away.
Bring coffee over to an elderly neighbors house
Invite someone from your workout class
The whole intent is to be intentional about making time to slow down for 20-30 minutes and spend time together with someone in your life.
Conversations starters for Coffee Sunday:
What was something that brought you joy last week?
What is something you are looking forward to this week?
What is something you learned or tried new last week?
What is something you want to try this week?