Sundays are usually my day to unwind. It begins with me rolling out of bed later than usual, having a great brunch and then off to read a good book before going to yoga.
After settling into a Starbucks near my yoga class at Yyoga , I cracked open my book. I was enjoying 5 minutes of peace until some person decided that she wanted to yell at her boyfriend on the phone and she wanted to make sure I was involved by detailing the points of why she was right very loudly.
Like an uncomfortable third-wheel caught in the middle of a lover’s quarrel with no escape, I raised my book higher as if it would block out her voice. After perfecting my ability to tune out noises (well, I have to and not by choice!), the amount of caffeine now required that I need a quick bathroom break. After trying to make friendly eye-contact to see if someone was nice enough to smile back (so I can ask them to watch my stuff for a few minutes), I failed to make connection with anyone. So, I decided to haul my stuff with me. Oh yes! That includes my laptop, my yoga bag and my purse; my companions to the washroom.
When I came back to my seat, someone else had taken it. After 2 more times of this, I called it quits! I couldn’t lug all my stuff around anymore to re-situate myself every time I came back from the washroom. I will still do my meetings in coffee shops but I am finding it harder to focus or enjoy my book, perhaps what I read and what I need to do requires more concentration than before OR maybe as I get older I am sensitive to loud noises. I breathe a sigh of relief as I walk into the office after my yoga class, plopped myself on the sofa and quietly took in the peaceful enjoyment that awaits me as I dive back into my book without espresso machines competing for my attention or a loud voice to break my focus. My office lounge was quiet and nice enough for me to get through another 1.5 hours of reading.
I love coffee shops but I definitely love coworking just a little more :p
