Hi guys! Just realized I never actually let you in on why I’m at a coffee shop literally all of the time. Well, sitting at my favorite coffee shop right now (Mozart’s), also a coffee shop I’ve been to for now five days in a row, I thought now is as good a time as any to tell you why.

Reason #1: It’s not for the coffee.

Well, that’s not entirely true. I mean, part of it definitely is for the coffee. Those who know me know that it’s rare they’ll see me without a coffee (or an energy drink) in my hand. I love coffee. My perfect ISFVLWCM. Or for those who don’t know me and my coffee order—iced sugar-free vanilla latte with coconut milk. Ya ya, I’m a basic Gen Z girlie. Sue me. At least I’m not one of those girls who “loves coffee” and proceeds to get a 10% coffee, 90% sugar pumpkin chai or peppermint mocha or whatever new Starbucks feature. Yes, I love Starbucks too, but I’m more of a triple shot iced shaken espresso with (you guessed it) coconut milk and sugar-free vanilla. Oh! And pumpkin cold foam when I’m feeling festive.

But then again, I’d prefer a local shop over Starbucks any day of the week. I want to walk in and smell the roasted coffee beans. Not the pumpkin syrup that just spilled all over the floor with one woman barricading the drinks during ‘red cup day’. True story: happened last Thursday.

But sometimes (and I’m embarrassed to admit this), sometimes I’ll go to a coffee shop and I won’t even get a coffee. Maybe I brought an energy drink or maybe I just had a coffee. But I’ll still go. And this is for two reasons…

Reason #2: A coffee shop is not my house.

Well, it kind of is. I probably spend more time at a coffee shop than at my house most days of the week. And while they both feel “home-y” and I’d consider both my “home,” the difference is that I cannot get ANYTHING done at my house. I don’t know if this is a personal problem or if you guys can relate, but when I’m at my house, I rest. I sleep, I read, I clean, I scroll—I will do anything if it means I’m not doing my work.

And it’s not like I haven’t tried. The amount of times I’ll legitimately copy the “coffee shop vibe” at my house. I’ll brew my coffee (an iced sugar-free coconut milk latte, sometimes better than an actual shop); I’ll play my “coffee shop” playlist (it’s really good; look me up on Spotify); I’ll light a candle so it’s comfy, put my phone on DND, but 10 minutes later, I’ll be asleep, watching TikTok, or finding something to clean (my favorite way to procrastinate).

It’s in a coffee shop that I have no other excuse but to get my work done, and that leads us into reason #3.

Reason #3: The Locked-In Vibe

With people working on their computers, completely transfixed on whatever work they’re doing, it’s impossible not to want to lock in yourself. Right now, there are three other people in my peripheral vision that seem to be as locked in as I am, working on something, being productive. I don’t know what it is, but coffee shops just have that “locked-in” vibe. Or maybe I’m imagining it; I don’t know!

All I know is that I barely touch my phone when I’m at a coffee shop; I’m awake (but that’s probably because of the caffeine); and I have nothing to clean. Also, it might be classical conditioning. (Skip the next paragraph if you’re not interested in the neuropsychology tangent I’m about to go on.)

I have a theory that because I’m so used to “resting” in my house, sleeping in my bed, only being in my room to rest, that I cannot do work there. It’s like, have you ever heard that thing that says “bed is for sleep”? Like it’s bad to do work in your bed or watch TV in your bed because you want to be conditioned to falling asleep in bed, and that’s why some people have trouble sleeping. Well, I kind of think of places like that. Bed is for sleep. Home is for rest. Coffee shop is for work. So ya, it might be an “aura” that helps me really lock in, orrrr it might be my own mind conditioning me to work at coffee shops.

Reason #4: People Watching

I think that one of the greatest things that Europeans invented was the café culture. The time of day when Europeans go to a café, order a cappuccino, and sit outside, lounging and people watching as people pass by. We need more of that in the US. Maybe this is our problem. The US with its high-stress, fast-paced environment. Where there are lines out the doors of coffee shops and drinks need barricading. No, what if we adopted café culture??

Anyways, there’s still some solid people watching you can do (and I do) at coffee shops. Take my favorite coffee shop Mozart’s for example.

Side note: I feel embarrassed saying Mozart’s is my favorite coffee shop because it is SUCH a tourist destination. Literally half the people who come are tourists, everything is so pricey, and there’s always a line at the door no matter if it’s 9 AM or 9 PM. But its location is PEAK. With so many spots to sit outside on a nice day like this, access to outlets outside (Hallelujah, my laptop is always dying), right on the lake, spots to sit inside, the ‘quiet’ lounge where it’s always DEAD silent (though there’s no sign that says it has to be), AND it’s open until 12 AM. Every day. With so much to do in the day and loving to get up early but loving my early morning gym routine, I’m usually working pretty late, and the coffee shops that close at 7 PM are not going to cut it for me. So ya. I might be unoriginal and look like a tourist, but it’s my go-to and this is the fifth time I’ve been here in five days, so whatever.

Okay, back to the people watching. At Mozart’s, the amount of people that come on their first date is HYSTERICAL. Never would I think that eavesdropping on a first date would be so entertaining until I found myself basically on the date with them, learning everything about these two strangers from Annie’s dog Snickers to Stephen’s traumatic childhood (tip for Stephen: don’t trauma dump on the first date! Annie looked like there would be no second date). Anyways, as Mozart’s is such a unique location perfect for a first date, I’ve listened to my fair share of them and they are amazing.

Besides just first dates, it’s just so interesting how everyone at a coffee shop does their own thing but is somehow connected. There are people reading, studying, working, chatting, meeting for the first time, reconnecting, hanging out, breaking up (I’ve seen it… and been there… heh), laughing, sharing stories, and people watching it all. I’ve done all of these at a coffee shop and it’s what I love most about them.

Reason #5: Their Uniqueness

If you’ve been following my Austin Brew Review series, you know that I rate each shop by a few categories including food, atmosphere, coffee, location, and their X-factor. Every shop has one. The thing that makes it different and stand out. When choosing the shop I want to go to, I think about what I want, my purpose for being there, and what shop is most suited for it.

Take Mozart’s for example. It has so many X-factors, but its main one is the fact that it’s on the lake and has so many amazingly scenic places to sit. Summer Moon has the perfect writing vibe, perfect for writing essays. Mazama is perfect for my early morning Bible studies. I love Nectarine for doing homework after school and grabbing a snack before I have to pick up my sisters.

As the coffee shop fanatic of my town, I know all of the places, and I’m known as the person people go to when they need recs. I ask them what they’re looking for in a shop, and know what shop to direct them to.

So there you have it—my five reasons why I’m basically a coffee shop nomad. Whether it’s the caffeine, the locked-in energy, the people watching, or just finding the perfect spot for whatever I need that day, coffee shops have become my second (or let’s be real, first) home. And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you ever find yourself in Austin and need a coffee shop rec, you know who to ask. I’ll probably be at Mozart’s. For the sixth day in a row. With my iced sugar-free vanilla latte with coconut milk, obviously.

Until next time—stay caffeinated, my friends. ☕