Blogging saved me after she left. I needed time for myself to reflect on what happened and figure out a way to re-route my life. She single-handedly chose to remove herself from my Plan A. Blogging and the coffee shop lifestyle became Plan A.
The loss and tragedy of my spouse leaving me could have thrown me into a deep, irreversible depression.
My “partner in crime” and best friend cheated and abandoned me and somehow it led to the discovery of a long-lost passion: blogging for self-therapy and to help others.
Before I met her and leading up to moment she left, I struggled and worried-sick that I’d get stuck in a career I hated.
But alas, what should have emotionally squashed me like a bug, instead introduced me to what I believe is my true-life passion.
It drives me crazy sometimes. They’d say I get obsessed. They’re probably right.
Blogging and gives me the freedom to bounce anywhere I want when it’s time to tap away at my keyboard.
Additionally it gives me the opportunity to teach others how to do the same:Â fight to get their own freedom and happiness back.
One door closes, another opens.
Proof that God has a unique way of protecting and strengthening you.
No, I haven’t reached my ultimate dream of living this coffee shop lifestyle on a full-time basis yet.
However, I fortunately did find a way to afford to go part-time at my job which gives me several days a week to blog at any coffee shop “office-of-the-day” I want in sunny Orlando, Florida (or elsewhere).
Ahh, coffee shops and just sitting at my computer has a way of letting me forget all worries in life- so therapeutical.
I hate being stuck at home sometime, or in one place. You don’t tap into your creative inspiration to write epic posts unless you feel comfortable in your surroundings.
So that’s why I believe that…
Change of Scenery Promotes Creative Inspiration
…at least for me it does.
Without the creative juices flowing your mind lulls to sleep.
Switching up your “office” removes you from recycling the same mundane routine.
A change of scenery could ignite a whole new set of feelings, thoughts and ideas.
The coffee shop lifestyle of location hopping is one of the biggest benefits as a blogger.
And if you are a blogger then you know what I mean.
Or if you have considered blogging or just started out, then I highly recommend creating a list of your favorite places to work that inject the creative inspiration you need to find your artistic
expression.
I have my go-to places and a whole long list of others.
And not always coffee shops.
It’s just that I need my coffee (or wine or whisky).
You need that liquid inspiration too, right?
Luckily, I have found a lot places that have both.
Mostly here in Florida, but many in California too.
Keeping Track?
I should start keeping track, but if I had to guess I’d say all-in-all my coffee shop lifestyle of blogging has led me to no less than 75 different locations.
One day that number will rise to the thousands!
(What locations away from home do you like to study, read, blog or work on your laptop?)
Blogging gives me the opportunity to work from coffee shops, up-scale lounges (some with breath-taking views), hotel lobbies, airports, wherever there’s a table…(and coffee, wine or whisky nearby).
And I typically don’t like to work outside, especially here in Florida where the air gets so humid and thick I swear you could swim in it.
So where are my top favorite places I like to blog that provide me the creative inspiration I need to write my epic posts (and killer Pinterest Pins)?
My Top 5 Favorite Places to Enjoy the Coffee Shop Lifestyle
My closest friends know two things about me: 1) I’m obsessed with my pursuit of online passive income through blogging and 2) I love California.
Naturally this list comprises of places in Florida and California, but the list of other random places put me in many airports around the US.
That list follows my top 5 list further down.
I-Drive Starbucks by Sea World- Orlando, Florida
This is my #1 place I spend the majority of my coffee shop lifestyle tapping and jabbing away at my HP (Notebook) keyboard. I love the spacious tables, each with outlets to recharge your laptop.
But the best part is the view- a straight on shot of Kraken and Mako roller coasters at the Orlando Sea World Resort.
Not to mention the memorable moment when my favorite band’s bass guitarist randomly wandered in.
Foxtail Coffee Co. – Winter Park, Florida
Winter Park is the complete opposite of what we’re known for here in Orlando. Roughly twenty minutes up the road off of I-4 from the closest bustling, world-famous theme park you’ll find this hidden gem, Central Florida suburb.
And in Winter Park you’ll find many non-chain coffee shops. Foxtail prides itself it in it’s welcoming atmosphere, responsibly-sourced fresh coffee grinds, wine by the glass or bottle and small bites menu.
Next to the Foxtail Coffee Co. I like to stop by the Winter Park Distilling Company where they are known for aging Florida’s first bourbons and finest rum. But I go for the craft beers on tap and distillery/bar atmosphere. It helps me to detox after racking my brain and cramping my fingers from working on my blog for several hours.
East Palomar Starbucks- Chula Vista, CA (San Diego)
If you don’t know by now, you now know. I love San Diego.
And yes, my coffee shop lifestyle calls my name out west quit a bit.
Raised in Northeast Ohio, I grew tired of snow and ice and fell in love with sunny places.
While visiting cousins in Chula Vista, a southern San Diego suburb, I have spent many days at this Starbucks with a mouth-dropping western-drop-off view of the surrounding suburbs just off the outdoor patio.
What’s cool for a visitor to San Diego is to think that just a few miles south lies Mexico.
Speaking of Mexican food, stop next door at Lolita’s Mexican Food for massive-sized burritos and some unique Mexican sodas you certainly won’t find back home. Try their Carne Asada breakfast burrito filled with black angus beef and cheddar cheese.
Manchester Grand Hyatt- (both in lobby and Top of the Hyatt Lounge) Downtown San Diego, CA
Their majestic lobby and 3 minute-walk to the San Diego Bay with stunning views of Coronado Island, US Navy battle ships and lines of luxury yachts make this one of my favorite coffee shop lifestyle spots.
Luckily for me they have a coffee shop on the first floor- can’t use my Starbucks app though (sad face).
I’ve worked on some of my most-viewed blog posts and Pinterest Pins here at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, which in itself holds a special place in my heart.
Some of that content has reached tens of thousands of people.
And without a doubt the most noteworthy spot here is their Top of the Hyatt lounge is located 40 floors above the sun-bathing pedestrians below: the Top of the Hyatt lounge, an upscale, rooftop bar with panoramic view of San Diego Bay.
Hyatt Regency San Francisco- San Francisco, CA
View from front patio of the I-Drive Starbucks by Sea World, Orlando, FLLocated on Market Street just minutes from the iconic Ferry Building at Pier 1 of the Embarcadero boulevard and surrounded by frantic business people, conventioneers and tourists sits the Hyatt Regency San Francisco.
In the belly of this upscale, modern hotel you will find a water fountain and a few rows of tables and cozy chairs with a cascade of rooms hovering over top of you.
All-glass elevators, nestled in the corner of this giant atrium, silently bob up and down.
I love the serene feeling of the silence while gazing up the beautiful manmade architecture that resembles the endless high-rise buildings of in the surrounding Financial District of one of the world’s most renown cities.
And yes, they have coffee nearby.
Summary of My Coffee Shop Lifestyle as a Blogger
The freedom you feel from working anywhere and doing what you love, especially while recovering from loss and tragedy of an affair is unbeatable.
It’s funny how my main intention with my blog is to motivate and inspire others and provide a way to make sense of catastrophic surprise that infidelity causes, but it morphs into a form of self-therapy for me.
Each post regarding how to overcome the pain of your life partner breaking their vows, or in my case deserting me all together, has presented an opportunity for me to let go of my own pain.
My inspirational story of how to positively respond to tragedy, chase your dreams and take control of your life became a blog and source of motivation for the 100s of thousands who have read it and a vehicle that connected me to discover my life’s passion.
Ever Considered Starting Your Own Blog?
You have a story to tell too.
Would you like to create a blog around your life’s challenges and lessons?
Read my post Inspirational Blog Ideas: How Can You Turn Your Life Story into a Blog?
And if you would like to start your own blog and possibly even make money doing so please write to me below…
[*I will only use your email to respond back to you and what you send me stays between us.]
-Look forward to hear from you,
Orlando
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