Working each day to stay inspired is no simple matter. It’s hard to get that burst of creative energy first thing in the morning. But I’ve developed a system that works for me to get my going. It just takes a bit of preparation on the weekends and in the morning. Allow me to share.
I’ve begun roasting my own coffee beans. I found out you can buy beans in their unroasted (green) state online. So each month I find a pound or two that strikes my fancy, then I order it. If you’ve never tasted freshly roasted coffee (5 days old, max), you haven’t experienced coffee. I’m one who loves tons of sugar and creamer in my brew, but when it’s freshly roasted I can drink it black.
Each weekend I spend about 45 minutes roasting a small batch (1/3 pound) of coffee beans in an air popcorn popper (not the most efficient way, but it’s inexpensive). I store the coffee in a mason jar and set it by the grinder.
Then, each morning, I grind a small amount, put it in my Chemex, and brew half a liter to enjoy throughout the morning. Chemex is a fun way to brew coffee. There are no moving parts to the device. You simply put the grounds in a special filter, place it in the hourglass-shaped unit, and pour hot water (just below boiling) over the grounds. You pour a little first, then let it sit so the fresh grounds can bloom. Then you pour the rest in.
Now, this whole post sounds extremely snobby. I admit it. But I don’t do this so I can be a cool hipster who roasts his coffee and brews it old-fashioned-like. I do it because I enjoy the craft of it.
With each sip of coffee I take, I remember that I made this coffee. I chose the bean. I chose how strong to roast it. I chose the pouring method. It’s uniquely mine. I crafted this coffee and it tastes darn good.
I’m enjoying the fruit of my labor as I create more. It gives me encouragement to know I’ve done something well before, and I can do it again.
That’s how I get inspired each morning to create. I prepare a little in advance so I can enjoy the work of my hands.
How do you get inspired each morning? What’s your creative routine?
