I have a coffee punch card from Java Surf in Virginia Beach… and I live in Brooklyn.

I have a coffee punch card from Java Surf in Virginia Beach… and I live in Brooklyn.

I also rarely drink coffee. 😜

Seems a bit of an odd match, right?

But every time I visit my dad in Virginia Beach, I end up at Java Surf.
And last week, sitting there with my “free” coffee (yep, filled the punch card!), I realized why.

Here’s what Java Surf looked like that day:
> Sitting and enjoying my coffee - not reading, not scrolling.
> Watching guests play ping pong while they wait for their coffee (and tossing back the occasional stray ping pong ball 😁)
> Savoring the unhurried vibe of a café where food takes its time, reminding me to slow down, too.

And it hit me: Java Surf isn’t about the coffee.

It’s about pace.
It’s about giving myself a break from the rush and letting stillness do its work.

Because clarity rarely comes when I’m speeding.
It comes when I pause, breathe, and give my brain space to wander.

What about you?
What’s a surprising space that helps you slow down and wander?

Image: Me in Java Surf earlier this year with a coffee (and wearing way more layers than I had on last week) because I was so busy chilling this time around that I didn't even take a photo. ❤️