Coffee-Induced Thoughts
I was mid-way through messaging a friend today when I conked out on the sofa. I slept soundly for approximately 2 hours, before waking up feeling renewed. It's unusual for me to take afternoon naps, but I guess my body was tired after being outdoors in the heat.
Bob, my cat sat quietly in the garden and she blended in with her environment, which made me struggle to see her at times.
With slightly blurred vision, I indulged in an afternoon coffee to clear out my brain's cobwebs. Since it was later than my normal cut-off time for a coffee, I went for the lighter blend of Indonesian coffee from Nespresso.
While brewing, I took note of the pertinent question of the curious cat;
"Why is there so much month at the end of the money?"
As the aroma filled the air, I slowly sipped my coffee and I began to mull over the question, and I reflected on my years in full and part-time employment. Yes indeed, that was a common problem faced by most or all employees.
There are various reasons for that of course. Whether poor money management, lack of budgeting, overspending, or spending on anticipated income, the list could go on forever.
With those coffee-induced thoughts floating around in my mind, I diverted my attention to some of the pros and cons of being in full-time employment versus side hustling, self-employment, or whatever one does to sustain themselves.
The first thing that came to mind was that full-time employees tend to have Instant Coffee on their coffee breaks. That's a worthy disadvantage in my eyes, although at my last part-time job, I served free Nespresso Coffees to customers, and I had unlimited access to good coffee while on duty. That was a lovely perk.
Having a stable income does offer peace of mind in many aspects, but with modern changes, I think it's important to factor in personal fulfilment and examine one's lifestyle to decipher what alternatives there might be to maintain a happier life.
Regardless of what a person does, time management is essential. Doing something for myself gives me full control of how I utilise my time, and I think that having a sense of structure, and a focus in my life gives me a sense of fulfilment. Also, I'm more adept at finding balance and being rounded.
Having a rounded life helps me to stay abreast and gain new skills and practice old ones so that I remain relevant and able to add to my CV, regardless.
Coffee Breaks are nice.
However, I've always made a separation of my personal and professional relationships and had successfully kept office dramas at bay. At the moment my social life is highly contained, however, I do miss having afternoon coffees and meet-ups with my close friends. There was always coffee and muffins or cakes, which was a perfect companion. Coffee evokes thoughts, and having coffee with friends is a great time to share ideas and brainstorm.
It's indeed fun to meet up with like-minded individuals with can-do attitudes, who are open-minded creative risk-takers.
Do you have coffee dates sometimes, and do you prefer to have something sweet or savoury when you do?
With these warmer temperatures, I think it's about time for me to get creative with my coffee concoctions. Please feel free to share any coffee recipes that you've been hooked on lately.
Thanks for stopping by:)
All images were taken by me.
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I'm still hoping some shred of your time management skills will rub off on me. 🤣
Your cat is so cute! There is something enviable about watching how comfortable they are on the ground. I love sitting in the dirt, but my back does not. There is a connection in it though, which makes me do so anyhow. The cat on your mug is neat too! And what a question it poses.
Reminds me of being in my early 20's, budgeting out to the penny. That end of the month feeling always came quick, with rent looming large on the first. 😮😂
Thanks for the great read! 🤗
My time management for my agenda is far too rigid for someone who is not being whipped to perform.😅
Yeah, I love to watch my cat in her element in the garden. She's a people person who HATES every other cat, and there's a big black and white fluffy cat that comes over and bullies her. I need to keep an eye out for that other cat when she's outside.
I always had strict budgets and my personal accounting was meticulous with every penny. Now, with my minimalist lifestyle, I spend way less.
Thanks for stopping by:))
I have found a use for instant coffee, at least, in that it can be used to create a concoction that can develop film. I kid you not! I'm even about to do that again tonight.
Yes, I also miss coffee breaks with people, talking about things, bs'ing, chatting about tv and such. My coffee breaks now (and I make myself take them) include playing a 78rpm record or two. It feels nostalgic, perhaps, and like I actually am taking a break, and not just moving from one side of the room to the other.
Really!?
That sounds like a pretty cool thing to do.
Yeah, coffee dates are a nice way to connect with people. Now when I reflect on those days, I realise just how awesome those afternoons were. People here in the UK prefer to meet at the pub, and I'm a light drinker of just a half pint, and then I'm ready to go 😂... so I tend to stay home and have coffee alone:)
I think the predictable income is the biggest perk of "regular" jobs, but pretty much everything else is a negative, lol. Re: keeping work drama at bay, yeah ...I am fairly convinced I'm one of those people on the autism spectrum who didn't get diagnosed as a kid. Learning about it explains a LOT about my life and relationships. One of the things that is common among autistic people, is those who have regular jobs (85% are unemployed, which says a lot to me about those negatives... ), tend to job hop. I was one of those when I had regular jobs. My longest jobs were a couple of years maybe.
You start off good and getting praised for your work ethic, but somewhere along the way something turns and suddenly it feels like everyone hates you and you can't do anything right. Even though you are working like you always did, you are the outcast - you don't fit in, you don't participate in whatever social drama is happening, you miss it completely. By the end of most jobs, I was crying in the bathroom on a regular basis. That work drama seems to be mandatory to the majority, and I hate it. Either you're participating, or you're a target.
Anyway. I am now in that 85% with my health issues, so no office drama for me.
I'm sorry to hear that you experienced those feelings when you were employed. It could not have been pleasant to feel that way working anywhere.
We had a debate in my Managerial Studies class about the importance/relevance of cliques in the workplace (I see it forming on Hive as well). I am, and will always be anti-clique. I have too strong a mind of my own, for anyone to try to influence my actions or anyone that I relate to.
I have good work ethic and can hold my ground and fight for myself if the need arises. I know when to get my claws out and somehow I always land on my feet. So, I just do my thing and remain the lone wolf or tiger or whatever anyone wants to regard me as.
I'm happy that you're no longer subjected to any of those things.🤗
That's good that you can fight for yourself!
The only job where I ever snapped and quit and walked out the door without any notice, was when I was working at the health food store. Originally, I worked at this tiny little store and it was great there; the staff were too few for there to be cliques, we all interacted with each other. But then they closed that little store and we could either lose our jobs or move to one of the bigger stores. I chose to do the latter, and that was a mistake.
At the small store, I was a cashier, but I regularly helped out other departments. So like, if I had no customers, I'd go straighten shelves and check expiration dates and things like that. At the new store, I would do that, and my fellow cashiers reported me to management for not being at my register. I was like ...we had no customers, and there were three of us, so I went to straighten shelves. Manager: but you need to stay at your register. Clean that when you have no customers. Me: I did clean that already. It doesn't take long. Manager: you can't leave your register. Me: so I'm just supposed to stand here and look pretty? Manager: yes.
I had never gotten in trouble for working too hard before. My guess is they didn't want to be expected to do the same instead of standing around chatting, so they reported me for leaving my register, even though I was close enough they could have just said "Hey" and I would have heard them. At least one of the workers in the other department who was happy I was helping him clean his shelves said he was sorry I had gotten in trouble for helping him, but it wasn't his fault.
That wasn't the incident that made me snap, but those cashiers and that manager definitely were. I had never walked out on a job before, and I actually felt so good after the initial upset wore off, that I was skipping and dancing on my way home, even though I had just made myself unemployed. It was a bad place.
I think you did the right thing there.
It's difficult to understand why people would have a negative stance on an employee being proactive and taking initiative, but I guess some people have an obsessive-compulsive need to have order in a certain way, whether it makes sense or not.
I knew a colleague who went to lunch and never returned to work, I think that's another level of bravery and risk-taking. She later got a job with a popular airline company, so I guess she was able to explain her past employment record convincingly😆
@millycf1976 you are young and you are going to find a way to increase your resources and share your coffee with friends.
Your cat is very cute. Health and blessings
Thanks for your lovely comment.
Have a wonderful Sunday:)
Being away from my family and friends, I truly missed dating and food-tripping with them. Back in the day, I also used to have a coffee break when feeling exhausted at work.
I love that free coffee perk at your work back then and your cute cat.
I suddenly thought about the question in your mug..that definitely requires management and discipline to keep your pocket full after payday. However in my case, most of my salary easily gone a few hours after I received it 😂😂.
Yeah, when I was in the Philippines, I had regular afternoon coffee with friends, and many ideas were formed then.
Yes, money management is not easy because there are so many temptations everywhere.😂
!ALIVE So many things to ponder over coffee or tea.
@millycf1976! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @bearmol. (2/10)
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
Yes, there is, indeed:)
I actually like those instant coffees, the ones that comes out automatic machines and serve you in tiny cups. They are not great, granted, but sometimes, they kind of just do their job, you know, keep you awake!
I have one partner I enjoy having coffee with, she is a charming person and shares many interests with me, including our congenial gusto towards coffee in general. I think in a way she taught me different ways around coffee too. I emjoy talking about our favorite books over coffee and plan the next reads.
That cat seems happy and careless, by the way!
It's great to have a partner who you can meet up with for coffee. You get the chance to save topics for discussion, or just let ideas flow when you meet up.
I do have a Tuesday Lunch meetup, but it's still different from my coffee conversations.
Oh, I used the link to listen (IBM) last night and it was great. I selected the British accent Charlotte. I noticed that they only have British, American, and Australian, no Jamaican 🤣
Good to have meetups, especially in this age of social isolation in real life! I always get fired up about meetups, perhaps more than others in my group haha (which can be a let down, I know).
Glad you found it helpful! It's a bummer though they don't have a Jamaican one, I suppose they just went with the most reiterated ones. 😒
I used to use another site for this, https://www.naturalreaders.com/ is the site, but no, they don't have Jamaican either, and they are limited 20 minutes per day I think. IBM one should be better.
You are right about that. I'm a loner, however, I've seen some people especially older ones deteriorate rapidly from lockdowns and isolation, so I try to find the right balance.
Haha! I doubt there'll ever be a language reading with a Jamaican accent unless it's for a laugh. I'll also check out this other link.
Thank you :)
The reason why there’s so much month at the end of the money, is that money is like coffee : it’s too delicious to leave dregs in the cup. You’ve got to drink it all down in one sitting. Hehe!
Love your kitty. It’s sweet.
Haha! That's so funny, and factual 😆
Woah! Bob right there is a master of disguise. 💣
At first I was like "where's the cat?". I thought that was a rock at first, and then I saw her head and BOOM! 😂
Yeah, sometimes it takes me minutes to spot her, and then I see that she's right in full sight. It's so sweet to see her sniffing the air when she's outdoors in nature. She loves the inside as much as the outside, but only when the weather is nice. She also does not stray off into any other garden, but she polices the yard.😆
I always wanted a cat and a dog, but right here in the middle of city it's tough to have pets, it's also dangerous for them.
Which is why the strays in my area are my companions. Sometimes the dogs in the area will come at my balcony and wait downstairs at 3AM, and until I notice them they'll wait, then I go ahead and manage some snacks for them haha. There are 2 grumpy cats too, a lot of meows and "cat fights" is what I see every now and then haha.
Yes, street animals do know how to scavenge to stay alive.
It's entertaining to see how disharmonious cats can be. I grew up with several cats in my home and they all got along, so I thought that Bob would make friends with the neighbouring cats... Haha! It's not so at all. Strangely, they all like to congregate in Bob's garden and she's suffering anxiety from it. I don't dare let Bob see me smiling with any of the other cats because she takes it personally. I had to chase one away because she was bullying Bob, and now Bod expects me to chase her away every time she comes in the yard.
I think it's good to feed and be kind to stray animals. In Jamaica, we adopted many cats that way:)
Typical cat behavior you know. 😹
I think some cats actually think that we're the pets, and not the other way around. 🤔😂
Strays deserve the same amount of love and affection. It saddens me because I can't take care of, nor feed of all of them; yet, I'm trying my best.
There's a stark contrast in behaviour with stray cats. They're more grateful than the privileged ones. Bob does not like to eat her leftover food, and she gets tired of brands of food quickly and needs a rotation all the time. 😆
Way more, a bit attention and food is all they want, especially the dogs.
Damn, that sounds like me. 😬
Haha! I know. We can be picky sometimes too:)
🤣😆
A very precious cat that made a cup just like him :D
I think a cat with a fur color like that has a spoiled character, I have one like that at my house.
I think cats are the best addition to any home:)
Even though sometimes I like to take fish on the dining table, I can only take a breath :D
A lot of companies don't offer free coffee to their employees anymore. That used to be common practice in Canada but it seems fairly rare nowadays. It's still around at some places but not none that I've ever worked for.
I prefer sweet treats with coffee over savory
What a shame.
Hmm, I'm generally a savoury person, but maybe I prefer sweet treats with coffee too, and savoury with tea.
I'll have lemon cake, carrot cake, coffee cake, sweet potato pudding, bread pudding, banana bread/cake or anything like that. Chocolate and Cheesecake would be handed over to my husband. I'm more likely to touch the cheesecake than the chocolate cake though. 😅
I've never had sweet potato pudding. Sweet potato pie yes but never pudding. Can't imagine what that would be like
Hehe! I haven't had it in ages, but it's popular in Jamaica. Really nice with ice cream 😋
Hello dear friend, walking through hive I found this great writing that I enjoyed to the fullest, I am not one to take naps in the afternoon either, your body was so tired that it decided to go off for a few hours, hahaha I also had a hard time seeing your tender bob hahaha nature was a good camouflage.
I loved the mug, I loved it, it's very original, your reflection is very interesting, really everyone should read it, I would like to always read reflections like this.
At least where I currently work, which is a university, not even in the teachers' lounge do they put coffee in their break time between classes, it is very sad because for the little salary they receive they can not take it in the street and what they do is that among several bring from their homes spoonfuls of coffee and sugar to share a sip among colleagues.
I love the sweet desserts with coffee, especially the cakes. ✈️💭☕🍰🐈
Thanks for your lovely comment, Marlin.😊 I'm happy that my post resonated with you.
Yes, a few people have commented that many companies no longer serve free coffee. That's such a shame.
I trust that you're doing well otherwise 🤗
Instant coffees are life savers sometimes, why?
Once I was traveling via train at midnight and I was super sleepy, I was asleep for almost half an hour just two stations before my destination. When I woke up I was super terrified with the fear of missing my station at that late hour, the next thing I did is grabbed those instant coffees twice just to make sure that don't miss my destination as I was having a tough time keeping my eyes open after a hectic day.
Yeap, I have coffee dates often, mostly when I have lots of talking to do with my partner to sort out a few misunderstandings that can't be done over a phone call.
Ok, I stand corrected!
Instant Coffee saves your life 😆
I fear missing my train stop, especially if it's the last one, so I'm happy that you had the balls to drink the instant coffee👍
Thanks for stopping by:)
Sometimes, not always. 🙂
Honestly, I've never had a regular job, so I can't speak for that side, but for me, I don't see it being a good fit. I like dictating my own time, and how I use it. I just finished another order, because I want to spend tomorrow and the coming days focusing on my own things. I find freelancing also gives me a greater input into what type of stuff I write, which I wouldn't get at a job, and I'm really not a person who can push someone else's BS for cash, you know?
I do feel I'm missing out on coffee breaks, though :D Thankfully, I go out for coffee with friends regularly enough (and yes, more often than not, also sweet treats), so that makes up for it :)
It's a blessing when you don't have to work for someone. I'm disciplined and could easily fall back into full/part-time employment. However, it's not worth it. Luckily, I live a minimalist lifestyle that curbs my spending, and I'm growing more spiritual every day and my ultimate aim is to have one bag of all my possession. I have a long way to go, but I remember when I met my Qigong teacher while in the Philippines, and his wife told me that everything he owns is in one bag. I was most inspired and intrigued. 😆
It's great that you have your coffee meet-ups. When I lived in Leicester, Uk, I had regular coffee dates and clothes swaps with my friends. It was wonderful, and it Philippines, it was great because we were right on the seafront:)
It is inspiring. Also, having spent half the day ordering my things, shocking. One bag? It seems astounding. Though I was just thinking how, living on the road, I was far happier with the fewer clothing items I had -- I didn't even care about it. I still don't. It's just, I used to, at some point, and now I'm kinda cleaning up after that person who used to care, you know? Still enjoy a nice dungaree, now and again. I like your outlook on happiness, and I agree, it's not worth it. It's a trap that'll never leave you happy. You could leave the store with ten amazing items in your bag, still thinking bout that one thing you put back on the shelf, and how much better your life woulda been if you'd bought it, nay?
That's so fucking true!
When I was relocating from the Philippines. It was appalling to see how much I'd accumulated there. I had too much of everything. I was miserable. I had to part with everything knowing that I was coming back to the Uk to live on a tiny boat. Now, I try not to have an attachment to anything, except the internet. I would die without it🙃
I think that's what drives us crazy. It's a responsibility, the blouse you own, or the desk full of stuff, or the stuffed drawers. You have a responsibility toward them now and it's so messed up.
I agree about the Internet. You know, there's all these movements now to get off the Internet, and ditch all that toxic online world, and while I'm behind that, I also think it's kinda absurd. The Internet's what you make of it. If your time online is toxic, it's because you've chosen to engage in toxic interactions (mainly social media). In itself, the Internet could be amazing. :)
When I say the internet I really mean Hive because that's all I do these days. I have basically been off social media for about a year or more. I no longer browse my FB or IG. The accounts are there, but I just CANNOT read anything about people I know or strangers anymore. I just focus on self improvement and stay away from the toxic influence social media has. I keep the accounts open in case anyone tries to reach me, and that's the best shot. My life feels better for it.
I might have a few people who I find inspirational (like the strangest of all Russell Brand). I think he's such a great thinker, he has overcome so much to discover and accept his truth, and I think he's on another level, as a thinker and talker. I also like Sophie Esperanza, who speaks candidly about her spiritual journey, much of which I can relate to. They both have stripped their lives back to find truth. Russell Brand is gregarious and "out there"... it took me a long time to warm to him;)
I mean Hive mostly, too :D I just think the level of connection and discourse, in general, is so far beyond other social platforms...there's no comparison, really. You don't see the amount of toxicity or parroting on here (like on other platforms) 'cause I don't think you'd get away with it, you know? and that's amazing, especially that it's managed to maintain this sort of purity for so long.
I love Russell, too! :D But yeah, he's definitely not for every mood. I'll pop on a podcast sometimes, but if my mind's already scattered, I just can't focus on him, 'cause he jumps so quickly from one thing to another. I think his transformation's really cool, too. I don't know Sophie, but I'm gonna check her out tomorrow, though from the talk-up, I'm pretty sure I'm gonna like her :D have a good night, my friend!
Yes, that's the same for me too. I've gotta be in the mood for him. But he is so aware and eloquent:)
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Bob..!
I am intrigued...
This is the hot season here in N FLA. So I try to find more time for couch/sofa conk outs and Hive time also.
I must catch up on You and Cam's postings and this Bob the Cat !!
Ok... Caught up on @scubahead WTH ? Is everything ok. Nothing since May??
Your time line is looking as good as you are. Steady and strong. Love it. I will read You for awhile and get up to speed on this new addition.
"Bob"
Hey there 😁
It's nice to hear from you.
Yeah, we've had Bob for some time now. She's peculiar but friendly and adorable.
I know! He has a night job, and that schedule messes him up. He's still trying to find a routine, but it's difficult as he has to sleep in the daytime before night comes again. I think he's balancing out and will get back on track with posting soon. 🤗
Great News. I miss his ramblings. LoL
I will be trying to do more on here in the Hive also. It is what I like call the "Nuclear Winter" kinda like an inverted winter time where I grew up in Pensyl-Tucky (usa) it was too COLD to do much from Nov thru Feb. Now here in the south it is too HOT to do much from June thru Sept.
Love the Kitty and that name. "Bob the Cat" Bobcat
We have real life wild ones here. But have not seen one on our game cam yet. I have seen them run across the highways in front of me. And saw one close enough at a shipper in Texas one time to snap a photo of it.