I Enjoy Making My Coffee Alone -STB Week65

I Enjoy Making My Coffee Alone

As a Nigerian, I do not have access to fancy coffee machines, imported beans, or special ingredients like my American friends share on social media and also here on hive. But I still greatly treasure my simple morning coffee routine using the basic instant coffee and sweetened evaporated milk we can buy at my local store

Preparing my coffee is one part of the day I truly prefer to enjoy alone, I know that having time to myself might sound selfish to fellow Nigerians who value community. But taking ten minutes to slowly mix the sweet milk and coffee granules by myself is soothing for my spirit before tackling busy days.

I use the quiet time while heating water on the gas to tune out the neighborhood noises outside. As I open the tin of coffee powder, I breathe deeply to calm my mind. Then I focus on slowly stirring the granules to dissolve, watching the dark liquid swirl into the sweetness of the evaporated milk. Adding sugar makes the basic coffee taste richer. I have freedom to sweeten the drink to my liking each day depending on my mood.

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Some mornings call for extra sweetness paired with just a small dash of coffee for energy. Other days when strength is needed to face many duties, I make the brew extra dark and bitter, barely covering the rich milk. I relish having choice over my coffee’s taste. Without others nearby expecting a certain flavor, I can get creative.

Drinking this coffee made by my own hands then makes me feel capable to tackle whatever comes next. The short minutes spent intentional and unbothered stitch my scattered thoughts together before work. I treasure this calm ritual that centers me. The quiet and control over preparations lets me collect myself fully.

I know to Westerners coffee means fancy machines and craft beans. But here in my Nigerian kitchen, instant coffee granules mixed lovingly still deliver small comforts through long days. By keeping my routine private, I sustain special moments just for me, not dictated by others’ opinions. And those solo minutes of simple self-care keep me grounded when duties threaten to overwhelm me. My basic brew tastes better to me alone than any expert creation does. This coffee crafted carefully with my own hands feeds me in more ways than one.

I start my day grounded, refreshed and fulfilled from the inside out. Sure, making coffee alone in my quiet kitchen every morning may sound boring or indulgent to some. But for me, it sets the tone for self-care and creative exploration that carries through the rest of my day. The comforting routine plus freedom to tweak my brew as I wish makes all the difference.

All images are mine