***“I breathe coffee” ***– literally and figuratively.

***So, is coffee really a casual drink or have I really become addicted? ***

My fascination with coffee started with just a few visits to coffee shops that gradually became frequent, regular, and up to the point where my day is not complete without a drop by at a cafe.

***The Occasional Coffee Drinker ***

Just like many others, my relationship with coffee was just a casual perk-me-up drink in the morning. And then, it escalated to another cup in the afternoon even if it is scorching 38 degrees to where I am at. It did not stop there; I would reach for more cups whenever I feel the need to function well and focus more on my everyday tasks. I would even prepare for another round of coffee before going to bed, because as weird as it may sound, I CAN GET TO SLEEP IN AS FAST AS 5 MINUTES AFTER MY CAFFEINE FIX.

***The Coffee Fan Turned Attached ***
This rhythm that speaks of adult life follows a pattern. What a simple pleasure looks like with just a cup of coffee in hand now included coffee merchandises, planners, and mugs! What was just an innocently optional must-have, now becomes my CANT-DO-WITHOUT.

I Like It Black
My black coffee is all about the no cream, no sugar thing. Just the plain, simple, raw essence of the coffee bean itself. It often brings in the vibe, which is unfiltered, unpretentious, and yet enriching kind of black coffee. It somehow tells you that the basic is still the best where all the add-ons were stripped off to pave the way to the basics.

***…But I Also Like It Latte ***

Yes, there were also days when you want to have that creatively-handcrafted cup of latte with its intricate design on equally-beautiful mugs. I must say that apart from the coffee, I am also CRAZY ABOUT THEM MUGS! The addiction somehow extended to this kind of merch. Every place I visit, I make sure to buy a mug and a coffee in it.

And here are some of them…

***Finding the Balance ***
It is easy to just say quit coffee and look for healthier alternatives, especially if you think that things are getting out of hand. But then again, it all boils down to finding the right balance between a healthy kind of addiction to something more serious.
If you think you can no longer function without coffee, then there might be some underlying problems apart from that caffeine dependence. However, if you only think of it as a casual pleasure and not really tied to it, then you’re fine.

***So Where Am I in the Coffee Spectrum? ***
For me, coffee is a reliable companion, but not my ride or die one. It’s my go-to buddy for some cramming tasks and even laid-back days, but not to the extent of extreme dependency.

You see, it is just a matter of knowing your priorities. If you think something is not healthy anymore, take a moment to pause and reflect. Same goes with other addictions in your life. Don’t let them take the driver seat.

Coffee’s role in your life should not define your whole being, but only a fraction of it.

In this photo, it’s just so nostalgic to see the words:
“YOU ARE HERE”.

Apart from coffee, it’s really about the experience and the places that truly matter.

Photos are mine.