In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we have cafés. A place that is busy, joyful, stressful, loud, yet serene, contained under one roof.
The first light turns on, so that there is just enough light for the groggy barista to start setting up everything. Stillness fills the space as they get ready for everyone to come in. A button is pressed, and the sound of rushing water enters the sanitizer. A clang of change as the register fills with cash. Then the scent of coffee starts wafting through the air as beans are pulverized. Then a loud hissing noise as the pristine silver steam wands are purged. The only other sound is the shuffling of the barista.
All the lights come on in a flash when the time reads 6:59 am, and the door is unlocked. Before long, the shop has come to life, and another barista hits the floor. People start wandering in, some trying to find energy to start their day, and others come in as a routine. The barista converses with their regulars while foaming milk and pouring lattes. A moment of connection is made, determining the energy for the rest of the day. This is the barista’s superpower; they set the energy for the day.
The modern wood and white aesthetic, in collaboration with the green of plants and pillows, with pops of red like the couch, makes this café comfortable. All the lights are hung with rope, along with a few mom-core word posters being dotted around the café.
Two hours in, and this Friday morning has sprung to life. Friends, lovers, and families sit in the lobby laughing and talking. A local tabby cat has made a home in the café, hanging out and getting attention from all the customers. A young man sits down with his coffee and pulls out a notebook to start reading. Next to him on the couch, another person is studying a foreign language with a physical textbook. They make eye contact and greet each other warmly, then go back to their activities. The young man starts journaling as the café roars with conversation. A small group of friends talks about their upcoming weekend away, two older ladies knit with autumn colors in the back corner, as the two baristas finally catch a break and drink some water.
Entering the café, a lady in all green walks to the counter and orders a flat white. Proceeds to look around the full café and sees a spot on the red couch embroidered with a chevron print. As she walks over to sit, the orange tabby cat with white socks and an apron jumps onto the couch, claiming the spot she eyed up. The person studying sees her, laughs, and proceeds to grab the little tabby. Letting her sit between the two people on the couch.
A beat goes by before the three introduce themselves to each other. Each asking what they ordered, the young man says a cappuccino, the lady a cortado, and the person holding the cat a hot peppermint tea. Each of them expresses their interest in travelling and love of other cultures. Soon, the lady in green tells the others about how she’s going to meet her lover in a town two hours away. She met him in France, but he lives in the Netherlands. Being from America, her parents disapprove of being so far away or even meeting this man again. In the final moments before she catches her train, she scratches the little chef of a cat and heads out.
Once they finish their studies, the person backs up their language book and heads out. Saying goodbye to the young man and wishing him luck on future travels. Giving the little tabby cat who looks like a chef a scritch.
The steam wand screams again as the barista steams silky milk and fills up the ceramic cup with a beautiful rosetta, the foam curving over the cup’s rim. They serve the latte with a smile and a cheery “enjoy”.
Little Chef has started making biscuits on the young man, as an older woman sits down next to the young man and strikes up a conversation. Joy emanates from her as she awaits a friend she hasn’t caught up with in a long time. She shares some advice and talks about her experience living in the city. Soon, her friend arrives, and the two women are instantly connected as if a moment hadn’t gone by since they last saw each other.
More than just warm scents of pastries and coffee, there’s joy and connection. A place where a local cat brings people together. All while the rain beats down on the window outside. People are flowing in and out of the shop, while others park themselves having conversations in their native tongue.
No matter where you are, if you’re lonely, just remember that a café is somewhere to welcome you in. Even with a line out the door, a café is a place to be yourself and express your interests, and converse with people around you. This is a place to be yourself and live in the moment. This time it’s not a delusion, it’s a place.
Fun Fact!
“Studies have even shown that the background noise level in coffee shops can boost creative thinking, helping people work more effectively and think outside the box. This is just one of many benefits of visiting coffee shops regularly, whether for social time or quiet reflection.” – Marley Starr
SOURCES
Why Coffee Shops Matter for Mental Health. (2025, May 23). Tradition Coffee Roasters. https://traditioncoffeeroasters.com/blogs/coffee-collective/why-coffee-shops-matter-for-mental-health?srsltid=AfmBOoqmS59rQpgE3O6yVQz2rVUqgAEm_Ni9ghN-0iaYITvtKdTr4_0C
The Delusional World of Egan 
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