How Running a Coffee Shop Transformed My Home Routine
Fun Fact: What started as a conversation with my sister about taking our kids to the zoo turned into opening up a toddler-friendly coffee shop in our local town. Although we passed the baton of the business, I can’t deny all that I learned from the hospitality industry.
As someone who thrives on spontaneity and dreads the monotony of routines, it’s surprising how much running a coffee shop influenced my home life for the better. With the structure of an opening shift, required breaks, and a closing shift, I’ve come to appreciate the power of routines—and my adult diagnosed ADHD also appreciates them.
Here’s how these three pivotal moments in a coffee shop have reshaped my home routine, especially with a wellness-focused morning in mind.
Morning Routine: The Opening Shift
Just like the opening shift at the coffee shop sets the tone for the day, a well-crafted morning routine can do wonders at home. I’ve found that waking up before my kids gives me a peaceful start, much like prepping the shop before customers arrive. For you, it might be allowing an amount of time to sit and just chill before your feet hit the ground. For me, it’s having that first cup of coffee back in bed. It’s a small but significant moment of mindfulness that sets a positive tone for the day.
Wellness Tip: Carve out a quiet moment for yourself in the morning. Sip your coffee, breathe deeply. Social media might be your detox. I’m not going to sit here and tell you not to scroll the internet’s humor. You do you. Just do it intentionally with a time limit. It’s a simple act of self-care that pays off throughout the day.
Midday Reset: The Required Break
In the coffee shop, mandated breaks were a necessity—a chance to step back and recharge. Was that sometimes walking in the pantry and screaming because the hospitality industry is no joke? Absolutely. At home or at my studio, I’ve adopted this concept into my midday routine. For me, it’s a call to my mom, a grocery pickup order planned out in the middle of the day, a walk around the block, or reading during the carpool line. For you, maybe it’s a dance break! It doesn’t really matter what it is, just that it exists. Having a dedicated, predetermined task during this break keeps me grounded and refreshed.
Wellness Tip: Plan a specific activity for your break. Knowing what you’ll do ahead of time makes the break more intentional and rejuvenating. It’s something you can look forward to when it’s planned ahead of time.
Evening Routine: The Closing Shift
The closing shift in a coffee shop was all about setting up for success the next day—cleaning, restocking, and preparing for the morning rush. At home, my “closing shift” involves tidying up, packing my kids’ lunches, and prepping the coffee for the next day. It’s these small acts of preparation that make my mornings far more pleasant and less chaotic for me and everyone in the house.
Wellness Tip: For the love of all things good, do not wait until the morning to fill you’re car up if you’re on empty.
What I loved most about running the coffee shop was the prep work—airpods in, cutting up food, and pre-measuring ingredients to make life easier for the team. It helps that “acts of service” is my love language. This same mentality has transformed my home life. By taking a little time today to prep for tomorrow, I make my future self’s life easier.
Running a coffee shop taught me the value of routines, even for someone who prefers to go with the flow. By embracing these structured moments—an opening shift, a dedicated break, and a closing shift—I’ve created a home routine that supports my natural personality type while keeping the day to day tasks flowing easily.
But for real. Do NOT wait until the next morning to fill up your gas tanks if you’re on empty. It’s never the right choice.
xx,
H
by Hope Johnson | inspired by nostalgia and comfort
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