TL;DR
A writer on staycation describes repeatedly visiting a neighborhood café without a phone, bringing a dog, and discovering how solitude reframes ordinary moments. The experience—sipping an americano from a porcelain cup, watching staff, and writing by hand—led to reflection on time, attention, and social norms.
What happened
During a period off work, the author chose a staycation and spent long walks with their dog to slow time. On the second day they left their phone at home and found that initial anxiety faded within about 30 minutes; being unreachable and unable to reach out allowed their thoughts to roam. They wandered into a local café, ordered an americano with a double shot served in a porcelain cup, and sat with their dog curled beneath the table. Over multiple visits the author watched other patrons, noticed staff routines around cups and service, and reflected on how most cafés are configured for groups rather than solo visitors. At one visit they observed another person sitting alone without devices and felt a quiet solidarity. On a later visit they switched to writing by hand with a pen, noting the physical discomfort of slow writing as a deliberate limit and cue to stop. The sequence of visits led the author to call sitting alone an act that is both unsettling and empowering.
Why it matters
- Leaving digital devices behind can change perception of time and reduce anxious reactivity to notifications and social contact.
- Solo presence in public settings exposes everyday social dynamics that usually pass unnoticed when people are rushed or distracted.
- Simple changes—porcelain cups, pen-and-paper writing, walking a dog—can reframe routine activities from chores into moments of reflection.
- The piece highlights how public spaces like cafés are designed for interaction, making solitary presence a visible deviation that can prompt reflection in others.
Key facts
- The author chose a four-week staycation and focused on slowing down daily life.
- They took long walks with their dog, extending what once felt like short breaks into multi-hour outings.
- On the second day of time off the author deliberately left their phone at home and felt anxiety subside after roughly 30 minutes.
- They visited the same neighborhood café several times, ordering an americano with a double shot served in a porcelain cup.
- The author observed staff circulation of cups and customer interactions that are normally overlooked during hurried visits.
- Sitting without electronic distractions allowed the writer to notice people’s expressions, especially signs of worry visible in eyes.
- Encountering another solo diner without devices produced a sense of quiet kinship.
- Later, the author used pen-and-paper writing as an intentional, slower form of reflection, valuing the physical friction of handwriting.
What to watch next
- Whether the author’s choice to return repeatedly to the same table affected how staff and regulars perceived them — not confirmed in the source
- Whether others in the café adopted similar device-free practices after observing the author — not confirmed in the source
- Whether leaving phones at home produces comparable reductions in anxiety for other people — not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Café: A public establishment that serves coffee and light refreshments and often functions as a social or work space.
- Staycation: A vacation spent at home or nearby rather than traveling, often focusing on rest or local activities.
- Americano: A coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water, producing a similar strength to brewed coffee with an espresso base.
- Porcelain cup: A reusable ceramic vessel commonly used for serving hot beverages, distinct from single-use disposable cups.
- Pen-and-paper writing: Composing text by hand rather than typing, which can be slower and physically taxing but may promote different cognitive processes.
Reader FAQ
Why did the author sit alone in cafés?
To slow time, be free of digital distractions, and observe people and surroundings as part of a staycation.
Did the author bring a phone or other devices to the café?
No. On several visits the author deliberately left their phone at home and avoided internet-connected devices.
Was the dog allowed in the café?
The dog crawled under the table during visits, but whether this was officially permitted or required special arrangements is not confirmed in the source.
Did the author make friends or join conversations?
The author observed other people and felt a brief bond with another solitary diner, but the piece does not report forming new friendships or joining conversations.
Is sitting alone in cafés recommended for everyone?
Not confirmed in the source.
It’s contradictory to sit alone in a café. It’s against the reason cafés exist. They are designed as meeting spaces. There is no table with a single chair. Even the…
Sources
- The unbearable joy of sitting alone in a café
- The Unbearable Joy of Sitting Alone in a Café
- The Most Underrated Sound in Our Society
- Grieving in the Second Year After a Loss
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