Coffee Shop Meditations

When I decided adventure blogging was something I could be really passionate about I knew two things would lead me to success, being as authentic as possible and pushing the boundaries of what is perceived as normal. After all, consumers constantly are searching for something outside the norm. With millions of people trying to pave their own way, I knew it would be important to focus on what sets me apart. One of these traits is my power to keep going when the going gets tough and my disregard for the status quo. I guess you could call this my artistic grit. I recently read the word defined as a psychological trait that allows some people to work harder, more frequently, and likely to persist in the face of struggle or failure. I've been living the essence of this word for a long time and as I get older it seems easier and easier to embrace the lifestyle. Surprisingly, being a work horse isn't always perceived well. One example of how this shows is in the shear volume of images I get from one location. I really enjoy the spirit of competition even if that means competing against myself.

If this means going on 7 different hikes in 7 days, sleeping on top of icy mountains, or flat out sleeping in my car, then that's what I want to be doing. I realize my age is of the essence and time is never something to take for granted so if I can safely push my mental and physical barriers why not try to reach these different levels of human consciousness. I'm aware my busy lifestyle and all the running I do may have some people overwhelmed but in my own head I find balance with different parts of the grind. For example, post processing images and videos is extremely therapeutic. I wrote about this in more detail in a journal called, How Often Do You Really Look, so I highly recommend reading it if you're someone struggling with anxiety or looking to find more peace in life.

Strange to some, editing at coffee shops are some of the best times I've had in my life. After endless hiking up and down mountains and spending long hours on the road it feels so good to stop, reflect, grab a cup of coffee and sometimes bask in the warm reflecting sunlight beaming through each building. I normally use this time for digital nomadic work but it's never a chore plotting out locations for the week. I seem to always relate my life to the old way of living so in this case I imagine I'm a rugged fur trapper finding refuge in a warm fireplace lit pancake house telling stories of my time out in the woods. The wise old couple that runs the cabin would bring out a dusty map and we'd decide what direction to go under a lantern. Besides basic work practices, depending on what vehicle I'm traveling with, stopping is a necessity so I can charge up all the electronics and camera gear I bring everywhere I go. One of my most iconic coffee runs happened when I was road tripping through Washington State and after a full week of adventure I spent two full days in a Woods Coffee. From 6 A.M. to 8 P.M.

I try my best to look presentable but some trips are a little too backcountry not to end up looking burlish when I come back to civilization. Sometimes that means walking into a Starbucks with some questionable clothing, a beard that hasn't been tended to for a month, and a sack of electronics. Every now and then this seems to draw attention which isn't always a bad thing. I've spent a lot of time in coffee shops and you never know what to expect, it's lead to some very interesting conversations which have in turn created some amazing connections across the country. Theres something about opening up to someone you just met that leaves you feeling fulfilled and refreshed. Something I've noticed is most people don't have the audacity to strike up these conversations anymore. So my advice is to put yourself in more situations where putting yourself out there come more naturally like when your traveling and then bring those values back with you. We all come from different backgrounds and have so many unique perspectives to share and there's a lot of people out there craving to hear your story.

For me, there's a whole lot more to coffee breaks than just getting your daily caffeine. This is a time for creative work and reflection. It's time to clear the slate, open yourself up, and to make connections far away from home. It's a time to relax, kick back, and hopefully walk away with a new friend while indulging on that steamy cup. There's an art to making the perfect coffee run and I hope to meet you on the inside.