Most mornings, for the past—well, let’s say forever, especially as I conceptualize that word from the position of motherhood—long time, look like some version of this for me: coffee, journal, book. Sometimes, like yesterday morning (pictured above) music is involved. When the weather cooperates, there is sun.
But there are some big changes afoot over at the Coffee Corner headquarters.
After 7+ years as a self-employed freelancer (and prior to that, 5 years as a part-time night shift retail associate, freelancing on the side), I have accepted a full-time position teaching poetry and HiSet prep to teen moms at a local non-profit. Many feelings are being felt about this upcoming shift in my life, among them relief, excitement, nervousness, and curiosity.
Is it an understatement to say this is a big change?
(Maybe.)
While I am certain there are more things I will miss about my longstanding daily routines, the one that I know for certain will be mourned (because my new schedule will demand its demise, at least on weekdays) is the morning ritual’s current incarnation: empty house, coffee, journal, book, music, sun.
(Do I know I’ll institute a new morning ritual? Of course. Will it involve coffee? Yes. What else will it include? This remains to be seen.)
The morning ritual has been with me for a long time. Forever? Something like that.
I searched the easily accesible archives.
From 2018: coffee, cat, crystals—
From 2014 (!): as captured in Part III of XO, our early days in “the shed”—
Also from 2014: on the go, in Portland—
How much changes even as so much stays the same? I’m surprised-not-surprised at the number of objects in these older photos that still exist in my life—the boots, the bag, the Venus of Willendorf, the mugs—while so much else has changed: the places, the pens and notebooks, the physical presence of my cats, the jobs, the projects, the feelings.
What doesn’t change is my need, my desire, my absolute insistence on making meaning from simple, every day moments.
So, there will be coffee. And there will be newness too: new place, new work, new people. Sameness/change: two sides, same coin. Flip, flip, flip again. Here we are.
Today’s post was inspired by
’s recent post, “13 Observations on Ritual.”
Good luck with the new gig!