Have you ever thought about where you might be now if the world hadn’t paused back in 2020? Not just in terms of places you could’ve gone, but the version of yourself you imagined becoming. The plans you made –  big or small. The dreams that felt so close, so certain. It’s strange how life can shift in an instant, how something completely out of our control can reroute everything. But maybe the more important question is: what did you hold onto anyway? What part of your dream, no matter how small, did you still choose to chase?

When I think back to life right after graduation, I laugh a little at how idealistic I was. I had this mental checklist: get a job, travel, explore, coffee shop hop, live my best aesthetic life. It all seemed so attainable. I mean, how hard could it be?

Well… cue the pandemic.

Suddenly, the world hit pause. Jobs were scarce, plans were shelved, and traveling became a distant dream. The checklist? It didn’t quite go as planned. But if there’s one thing I didn’t let go of – one small dream I stubbornly clung to – it was my love for coffee shop adventures. That little part of the dream? I made it happen.

It started small. A simple plan: “Let’s find a new café this weekend.” Often, it would be me and my cousin or my sister. We didn’t settle for the nearest spot. No. We looked for something extra – a café on top of a mountain, or maybe nestled at the foot of one. Distance was part of the charm.

We’d scour Facebook for inspiration, read reviews, check the vibe. Was it rustic? Minimalist? Cozy? Industrial chic? Once we picked the place, the next important thing came up – the outfit. Because obviously, you can’t visit a picturesque café without a dress that matches the ambiance, right? Super extra, I know. But that was the fun of it. Planning the trip felt almost as exciting as being there.

The road trips were full of stories and playlists, occasional wrong turns, and laughter over the most random things. Sometimes the coffee wasn’t even that great –  but the experience? Always worth it. It wasn’t really about the coffee alone; it was about the ritual, the journey, the feeling of doing something just for the joy of it.

These little café adventures became my form of escape, expression, and even healing. When life felt uncertain, I found comfort in discovering quiet corners, sipping iced lattes, black americano, cappuccinos, and capturing moments under string lights and mountain skies.

Looking back now, I realize –  maybe I didn’t tick off every post-grad goal the way I imagined. But I found magic in small things. In americanos over conversations. In road trips that led to nowhere and everywhere. In turning a simple love for coffee into a series of memories I’ll treasure forever. And honestly? That’s more than enough for me.