In defense of coffee shops
And my distaste for desks
I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and public spaces working, mainly on days I have no meetings to take because the sounds of the cacophonous espresso machine, lively conversations, and strains of Miles Davis (if you’re lucky, Kenny G if you’re not) tend to overtake the still not perfected technology of a Teams microphone.
But, on days when I don’t have a lot of meetings, I need to leave my quiet apartment, for the activity of a communal watering hole.
I get far more done at a coffee shop than I do at home, as far as work is concerned. If I’m home, the noise of the apartment--the dishes in the sink, the laundry to be done, the plant that I’m not sure if I watered or not, clutter my brain just like the stacks of half opened mail clutter my desk.
One would think a coffee shop with people in it would be more distracting, but they’re not. The whir of the espresso machine, the titter of light laughter, and pitter patter of the frantic keyboards of the next Ryan Murphy or Rian Johnson create a sort of symphony that lulls me into a vortex of focus I don’t find when the chaos of my mind is forced to fill the quiet at home.
I’ve always been this way, actually. In college, I was more focused sitting in my best friend’s dorm room with her in it, than I would be sitting at a desk in my own room.
I hate desks. I have one now because it seems like the “professional” thing to do. I have a desk chair that I spent more money on than my kitchen table because I decided my back was worth the investment. But, I don’t like sitting in that chair, at the desk. The desk (and chair) often become a receptacle for half-drunk mugs of coffee, a roll of tape used to pack a box 3 months ago, and a variety of cords that link the desktop screen and keyboard my company so nicely provided to my laptop. But, if I’m at home, I often work from my couch with my legs up on my plum ottoman, just like I’m doing now.
A couch, much like a coffee shop, says creativity to me. A desk is confined. Stuffy, staid.
Something I am not.
Over the last few years of working from home, I’ve learned that a non-traditional schedule works well for me.
I do the work I need to do and put in the “normal hours”, but I’ve been blessed with bosses who understand that sitting at a desk from 9-5 isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (or, in my case, cup of coffee).
This flexibility, much like the flexibility of a couch or a lounge chair, is comforting to me. I have the stability I need, but the freedom to be myself. The freedom to wear yoga pants on days where I don’t want to deal with hard pants, to put unwashed hair up in a messy bun, and to wear purple eyeliner just for the hell of it. I’ve never been one to follow a traditional path or work in a traditional setting, why start now (even if my job is *very* corporate).
I used to fight my need for flexibility--thinking it wasn’t professional and I had to conform myself to the expectations of the masses, but I’ve learned to embrace it. I do my best work when I accept myself and my needs.
And if that means sitting on the floor typing an article at 6 AM, then I’m going to keep doing that.
My desk chair makes a great coat rack, anyway.
Ten things I love while working
I used to work to classical symphonies, but my music taste has evolved since I got to LA. Now, my go-to work soundtrack is Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo, and Beyoncé. This Spotify playlist came in clutch the other day.
Featured on that playlist is Autumn Corrin, an up-and-coming R&B artist who is insanely talented (who I also happened to have the pleasure of teaching). Check out her new E.P.
Sometimes, a podcast provides the right level of background activity, especially if it’s very structured. Nothing can beat my long-time fave, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me.
I’m incredibly picky about a good day planner. These ones from Target come in cute designs and meet my planner criteria.
A huge perk of working from home is getting to do some mid-day movement. I love Peloton Yoga (especially with Chelsea Jackson Roberts) for that.
If I do stay home to work, I often put on a competition show as background noise. I don’t have to pay attention to the story, but I can look up at the pretty cakes, dresses, or piñatas that get made. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend Piñata Masters on Netflix for a kooky take on this formula.
I get easily distracted by social media (I don’t think I’m alone here). Screen Time Software has been my savior.
Coffee. I love Coffee. My brother recently introduced me to the old staple, Chock Full o’ Nuts, and it is as good as small-batch stuff.
Atomic Habits has been one of the most useful books to hack my work day and feel like I’m accomplishing what I set out to do.
I love a good reward (I’m very extrinsically motivated). I don’t go often, but my favorite reward has been Sidecar Donuts in LA. Thank me later.