Coffee is Life
I am so mad at myself for not having written down my thoughts last night when they were so ardent in my soul. I made this image called “Coffee is Life” and I had all these thoughts about it in my head but it was midnight and I chose to go to bed instead of taking 20 minutes to write them down. I told myself “I will write them tomorrow because I will just look at this image and it will come back to me”. Well, no – they have not. I’ve re-written this blog 4 times already with no success.
Have you ever read “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert? You should. She talks about ideas and how when they strike, you better grab them with all of your might and put them on paper because if you don’t they will move onto the next person. Well, I should have grabbed that thought and put it down because it was meaningful and now it has moved onto someone else.
Yesterday (Saturday) was a magical day for me and I have my husband to thank for it. He went to work all day and left me at home to my own devices. I’ve been wanting to redecorate and clean out my home office for a LONG time. I have been slowly picking at it but I have, by no means, been fully committed to it. Here is the problem, I firmly believe that when the energy of a space doesn’t “feel right” you won’t be able to put out your best work. Period. I painted my office when we moved in – I used the same colors as my old office. But it wasn’t the same. It didn’t feel the same, it actually felt sad and depressing to me. While I really don’t look forward to painting again, I do look forward to being surrounded by it’s new energy and what it might help me create. In addition, I had time to work on a creative project.
While I sat on the couch drinking coffee, I was browsing through Joel Robison’s Instagram feed. His work mesmerizes me. It’s so different from anything that I have ever put out. There is such a playful undertone yet deep meaning to each image. I feel like I am in a story book when I look at his images – they are just so creative. Personally, I don’t think my images are playful. Creating playful images is hard for me so I decided to give it a shot.
I wanted to take an object and make it meaningful and fun in an image. I thought to myself, “What do I love?” and I looked at my coffee mug. I love coffee. Then I thought to myself, “Coffee is life”. Coffee IS life. Not only is that funny in an ironic way to me, but I knew that it was a concept that so many people could relate to as well. Instantly, I felt inspired. I pieced the image in my head and I went to work. I wanted this image to be “me”. Not some dreamy fairy tale that I dreamed up, but just totally me. Fitbit, wedding ring, tattoos, jeans, t-shirt and all.
Recently, I have made a commitment to myself to read more and spend less time on social media. I wanted to showcase that commitment in this image, along with something that we can all relate to in some way. I also believe that most humans are optimists at heart, that we want to believe in the best. I had a tough choice to make because when I was picking out mugs I wanted to use my teal mug that says, “No F**** Given”. This also is a big representation of me. And while it would have been incredibly humorous, it might shut out some people. So I went with my other mug “today will be awesome” because I think a lot more people can relate to that message.
Lastly, when I allowed the first thing to come to mind about what “life” looks like I thought of a seedling. So I wanted the steam coming out of the mug to be a magical glowing seedling. I think that is a pretty good representation of how magical life can be. My t-shirt was also intentional because I knew it would somehow mirror the life coming out of the coffee mug.
For those who don’t drink coffee, what beverage of choice can’t you live without (aside from water)?
A big thank you to my photographer friend Lelia for the amazing mug and a big thank you to Brooke Shaden for graciously sharing some free textures on her website! Please follow them!
Maninder Kaur - I love making fresh lemonade, water is always the number one choice.
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Anna - Lemonade is delicious! Do you put any additional to it like strawberries or fruit? I also love hot lemonade (perfect for when I don’t feel so good). Thank you so much for commenting and stopping by Maninder!
Allyse - I love this edit, and I love love LOVE coffee. I can’t wait to see what your office space will look like when it’s completely done!
Anna - Hi Allyse, thank you so much for commenting and stopping by. I am pretty excited for the office. I was going to work on it this weekend but it’s looking like I will have to work. Thank you so much for your comment.
Kristi McAllister - Ohhh.Emmm.Geee. Coffee. Coffee really IS life! I have to have a cup every morning and I’m ashamed to admit I love those junky creamers in the little containers full of chemicals because it makes it taste good. It’s one of my only vices, so why not? I also think you make a good point about spending less time on social media. As writers, we are so entangled into it because of our blogs etc, and I don’t know about you, but I get lost in it. Sometimes we all need to let ourselves off the electronic leash! And by the way, I love your mug. As I comment on this, my eyes rested on the cup I’m using today: F*** -verb -can be used in many ways and is probably the only f****** world that can be put every f****** where and still make f****** sense LOL! So you stick to awesome and I’ll stick to that one 😉
Loved your post!
Anna - Can we just take a moment to comment on how amazing you are Kristi? This is the most amazingly thoughtful comment ever! There is nothing wrong with those creamers being your vice 🙂 I have a few (mainly sweets and pastas haha). Your mug sounds pretty awesome, I have one that says “No F**** given” and I love it. It always brightens my day. Thank you so much for commenting and stopping by.
Megan - Coffee is definitely one beverage I wouldn’t be able to live without!
Anna - Agreed Megan! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
Menakabharathi - I love coffee, in fact my day doesn’t start without one. Loved your support to coffee
Anna - I completely agree Menakabharathi. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!
Ipsita Paul - Coffee is one thing I can’t live without. And your office is very pretty.
Anna - I couldn’t agree with you more Ipsita! Thank you so much for commenting and stopping by!
Tara - coffee is my life’s blood – i seriously don’t know where i’d be without it in all my busy-ness.
Anna - Tara I am so with you! It’s my life’s blood too! Thank you so much for commenting and stopping by!
Melissa - This is awesome! I definitely need to redo my office too, or shall i say make one haha…. I have plans but im going to light pink and white 🙂
Anna - Haha I cannot wait to see photos! Pink is absolutely my favorite color! Thank you so much for commenting Melissa 🙂
Ginny - Love this and watching you speed edit!
Anna - Awww thank you so much Ginny 🙂 I am so glad that you enjoyed watching the speed edit. Thanks for stopping by!
Justyna - Gorgeous!!!! And so creative! Love love love
Anna - Thanks Justyna 🙂 I really appreciate it!!! Thanks for stopping by
Taylor Fisher - This is awesome! Way to put yourself out there and create something new and fun for yourself. Loved reading “Big Magic”!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Taylor 🙂 I love creating fun images. I know, isn’t “Big Magic” such an amazing book? Thanks for stopping by!
Elizabeth - Ahhh this was a fun read! Thank you for sharing a glimpse at your personal big magic! Loved it!
Anna - Aww thank you so much Elizabeth <3 This comment made my day :) Thanks for stopping by!
Jolie - Well, I’m not a coffee drinker but a cocoa connoisseur! I love how you share your editing process. So so cool!
Anna - Aww thanks for sharing Jolie! Would you say that Cocoa is life for you? Or do you have a preferred beverage? Thanks so much for stopping by!
Eliseq - Lol same story over here. “I don’t need to write that down”. Hah, good to know we’re not alone.
Anna - Hi Elise! I am SO happy to hear that I am not alone!!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me 🙂 Thank you for stopping by.
Erica - Love this post!
Anna - Thank you so much Erica! Thanks for stopping by!