How to Get Into ‘Coffee Shop’ Work Flow (When You Just Feel Like Spending the Day at Home)

Mondays are the days that I pack up everything in my life around 9 am to head to a local coffee shop (usually Panera). As many people know, there tends to be a bit of Sunday night anxiousness that’ll remind you about everything you need to take care of on Monday, and that feeling each week is what gives me the motivation to get out the door when I wake up.

I pack up my laptop, headphones, folders, snacks, waters, and gym clothes (for an evening kickboxing class nearby), and get out the door before the usual crowd of busy college students, families, and location independent workers typically show up.

It’s a solid routine, but that doesn’t always mean I make it out the door.

Today I lingered, got some household things taken care of, and ultimately decided that I would work from my kitchen table (which is easier said than done).

I procrastinated, checked my emails again for no reason after I’d already done my morning email check, did some laundry, started writing this blog post (everything that was in no way urgent or related to the papers that needed grading).

Eventually I got into some semblance of ‘work mode.’ I pulled up a comfy chair, poured a cup of tea, put on my usual jazz music, pulled out my planner, and faked the ‘coffee shop’ feel enough that I just simply got started (a few hours later, of course).

It may not have turned out to be the perfect work day, and I didn’t feel like the unstoppable force that I normally do when seated by my usual coffee shop window from 9 to 6, but I did get done what I needed to, and for today that’s okay.  

Happy living :).