Still in DC, I walked around looking for a place to post up and work for the day. I saw IHOP, Panda Express, and an independent coffee house. I chose the coffee house.
Back when I was early in my career, it wasn’t uncommon to find me “officing” out of one. When they’d close, I’d sometimes move to 24-hour spots like IHOP, working or studying until 2 or 3 a.m.
Today, I’d say I’m “technically” off. But even on my off days, I like to find quiet places to read, reflect, write, and move things forward. These coffee houses—especially the independent ones—remind me of who I’ve been and who I still am. They help me focus. They help me tap into creativity. They give me space to breathe and think.