The Tranquil Vintessa

I rarely buy coffee from a café. It’s nothing against café coffee—I love it when I wander into one to write or people-watch. But my coffee at home carries a different weight. It’s a personal reminder to slow down, to breathe, and to savor the present moment.

My First Coffee Maker and the Fantasy of Slow Mornings

When I moved into my first apartment, I knew I had to buy a coffee maker. The funny thing is—I never really drank coffee. But I had this vision of myself leaning against the wall in the morning, cup in hand, soaking in the quiet before the world began.

The reality? I made one cup, forgot about it, and when I finally rediscovered the machine years later during a deep clean—the same cup was still sitting there. By then, I didn’t even want to touch it, let alone use it.

Learning to Love the Ritual of Coffee

Years later, I tried again—not because I craved caffeine, but because I craved the idea of coffee. The ritual. The slow morning. A moment to sit with myself before the world demanded anything.

It didn’t come naturally at first. I had to practice it. But eventually, the ritual became a cornerstone of my mornings. Now, if I skip it, my whole day feels off balance.

How I Created My Morning Coffee Ritual

Here’s how I turn coffee into something more than just a drink:

1. Set the Mood With Music

I wake up a little earlier so I’m not rushed. I put on music—usually jazz, bossa nova, or classical. Sometimes I stream it through the Bluetooth on my record player (this is the one I have), other mornings I drop the needle on a vinyl record ([affiliate link]). The sound wraps the room in warmth, and the ritual feels cinematic—like stepping into another era.

2. Start With Intention

I slowly walk into the kitchen, letting my hands linger on the countertops, fill my electric kettle (get it here), and press the button. It feels like pressing play on the start of my day. My hips sway to the rhythm as I prepare breakfast for my pup.

3. Make It Simple, But Beautiful

I don’t worry about having the perfect setup. It’s about intention. Some mornings I drizzle local honey over oatmeal, slice bananas, or sprinkle chia seeds. Other days, I eat straight from my favorite ceramic bowl (these are my favorites) and let that be enough.

4. Enjoy the Coffee Slowly

After breakfast, I sit down with my favorite coffee blend and take a moment to relax. Sometimes I turn on a guilty-pleasure YouTuber, other days I bring my journal (like this one) outside and listen to the birds. What matters isn’t what I do—it’s that I slow down and savor the moment.

Why Coffee Rituals Matter

When the cup is empty, the day begins—work, friends, errands, whatever waits for me. But I step into it calmer, steadier, and more grounded.

That’s the power of a morning coffee ritual: it transforms a simple cup into an anchor for the day. You don’t need anything fancy to create one. Wake up a little earlier. Put on music you love. Sip slowly. Journal, dance, or simply gaze out the window. Whatever you choose, let it be your time.

Becoming a Coffee Person

Making that space for myself every morning has changed the way I move through life. Even when things feel chaotic, I know I’ve already had one sacred, quiet moment to myself.

I always suspected I was a coffee person deep down—I just had to find the right rhythm for it.