I saw a life coach I love, Ashley, do a post entitled If We Were Having Coffee and I decided to take her lead and do one myself in November 2013 because I loved it and sometimes I feel like we forget that there is a whole life behind the people that write and read blogs. I got such a great response to my initial post so I made it a reoccurring thing for the past couple of years and do it when I feel so inclined!
So, grab your coffee/beverage of your choice and meet me for a chat. Currently I’m drinking some La Croix…apparently I’m channeling my mom in the 90’s. I distinctly remember NOT liking this stuff as a kid.
If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’m currently reading Kids of Appetite by David Arnold. I’m literally on page 1 so I can’t tell you how it is but I’m super excited because I loved his debut Mosquitoland so much.
If we were having coffee.…I’d tell you that I’m flabbergasted that we are in September. I feel like I say this all the time, “where did summer go?” “where did 2016 go?” but really. I was thinking about it the other day how when I was younger time really did seem a lot slower to me. I distinctly remember feeling like an hour was the whole day and the whole summer was an eternity until I could go back to school. Now I feel like an hour slips through my hands in a second and a whole summer can pass me by when I blink (no but seriously I had a whole list of fun things I wanted to do this summer and I did a quarter of them and WHAT HAPPENED?). Is it that I’m too aware of time and the fact it’s not endless and I’m desperate to hold on to it? Is it that I’m not living in the moment as much? Am I too distracted? Trying to do too many things? Not using my time wisely? Whatever the reason is I’d really like to channel my younger self and see an hour as something that I can do a lot with. Now I think of an hour and feel like I can’t accomplish much in it (which sometimes because maybe I’m not 100% focused). I’d ask you if you are feeling like this summer or year in generally has flown.
If we were having coffee.…I’d tell you that recently my lady friends and I all took the quiz to figure out what personality types we were. It was SO SO SO enlightening. Especially because we had our husbands do it too. I got ENFP which I kept being like WOW this is so me except I always self-identified as more introverted than it says I am. I always figured I was just a really outgoing and super social and talkative introvert because I really DO get drained from socializing even though I love it and I just really value my alone time. But honestly it was so spot on. BUT EVEN MORE SPOT ON was Will’s (ISTP). I could NOT believe it. I’m reading and I’m like OH EM GEE THIS IS YOU. It was really interesting because it showed how we really are opposites in how we view and absorb and respond to a lot of things and it really made me understand him better. I can see, based on our personality types, why we clash on the things we do and reading about his personality in that way really cemented how I should approach certain things in our relationship. I also thought it was interesting how I always have thought that even though we are opposites that we are good at balancing each other and science like sort of supported that theory — like how I’m super impulsive and I would be like “let’s sell all our possessions and travel..plan what plan?” and he’s very much more grounded and logical. It was suuuuper interesting and just made me feel like I understood myself and him and our relationship better…not to mention all my friends who I did it with. I’d ask you if you’ve ever taken the personality test and what your personality type is and if you found it to be right about yourself!
If we were having coffee…. I’d tell you how I spent at least 6 hours on an issue with my host for this blog this past weekend and it reminded me how much I hate dealing with the technical aspects of blogging. Just let me write and connect and come up with ideas — don’t make me format or code stuff or fix things. It was SO frustrating and at the end of the day my issue didn’t even REALLY get resolved fully and I felt like I legit wasted my whole day…even though I was super appreciative for the last (actually competent) person I spoke to last. All that to say…I still can’t figure out why emails aren’t going out to you guys when I reply to your comments. It sucks. Maybe another day I’ll be able to devote to it but I feel drained.
If we were having coffee…. I’d tell you that all the back to school talk has me missing school as always. I LOVED school. I don’t necessarily want to do the work but I miss sitting down and learning stuff. I know I can learn things all the time but there is something different about school. I’ve thought this for a many years, but I keep pushing it aside, but I really need to make myself a plan to be more intentional about learning things. Like pick a couple subjects or things I want to learn or read about or learn how to do….and dive into the subject for a certain amount of time.
If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that we are coming up on a year (September 7th) since we adopted Finn and I just simultaneously can’t believe it’s already been a year but I feel like he’s always been here. Dog ownership is not without it’s lows (being less spontaneous/having to come home at a certain time, vet bills, taking him out in the cold when I want to be under my blankets, him not getting along with my dad’s dog, him being a little funny about new people, other quirky habits) but I love that little guy with my whole heart. We laugh so much. There’s always a Finn story to tell. We’ve taken more walks together in the evening which has been nicer than sitting in front of the tv. I love that he’s always so excited when I get home. I love not feeling alone when Will’s not here. I love snuggling with him. Gosh I’m getting all teary. Dog ownership has been a lot different being the ADULT that has to take care of 10000% of a dog than when I owned a dog that really my parents took care of….but I’m glad we did it.
If we were having coffee….I’d tell you how woefully behind I am on EVERYTHING since the summer. I don’t know if I just lose all motivation or I’m just too busy but I feel like I did NOTHING on my to-do lists this summer. My email inboxes are out of control. My apartment is in disarray. I put off things I shouldn’t have. I seriously need to get my crap together but I hate that feeling of “WHERE TO START?” and I’m getting that overwhelmed feeling that leads me to ignoring everything further. I’d ask you how you combat those feels???
If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that Will and I had a really nice visit with my family and going back to where I grew up before I moved to Philly (I talked about the trip here). I don’t get to see my family that often and it just makes me realize how much I miss them in a way I only vaguely feel when I’m away from them. I’ve gotten so used to having long-distance relationships with them (I moved with my mom here when I was in 8th grade) that I forget how much it feels like home when I’m there too. It was definitely a boost I needed to be around them. Especially getting to connect with my baby sis which I didn’t think was going to happen since she just went back to college but we made a day trip to her work.
If we were having coffee….I’d tell you that I’m compiling myself a small list of books to read to get me into the Fall/Halloween mood coming up and I would loooove for you to throw some suggestions my way.
If we were having coffee…what would you tell me? Come on…lay it all out! It’s just you, me, the pleasant sounds of a cafe…and maybe some other eyes in the comment section but NBD right?? Our we can have coffee in my inbox if you don’t feel comfortable. I really want to know! What’s going on with you?
Emmah says
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I’m currently reading “The Virgin’s War” by: Laura Andersen! It’s the last book in a trilogy (that is a companion trilogy to The Boleyn King trilogy)! It’s SO good! I love me some Tudor era romance-ish fiction haha.
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I can’t believe it’s September already either!! How is there only four months of the year left?! I honestly think time just feels like it passes by faster when you get older.
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I’m an ISFJ! And man, it fits me freaky well. I made my mum take it and I told her exactly what she’d be/get before she finished (she’s an INFJ) haha.
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I miss school too, in the aspect of sitting down and learning stuff. I hated the homework and early hours, though! Plus, I miss one of my teachers and the FOOD (I went to a semi-private school, that had dormies, so we had AMAZING food).
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I have a doctors (surgeon) appointment this coming Wednesday to have a cyst looked at and possibly removed in office (or as a day surgery thing). AND I’M NERVOUS. I mean, I want it gone. It’s not comfortable. But ahhh, I hate going to the doctors!
If we were having tea… I’d tell you that I wish we could stay in contact more, because I feel like we’d be good friends! But neither of us are as twitter-y as we used to be haha. We gotta find a way!
Jamie says
I totally added Laura Andersen’s books a while back because of you!
Wasn’t it so freaky how well the personality test nails you??
Oooh see we had crappy food at school so I never missed that 😛 Except I did love the french fries in high school!
Good luck at your appointment! YOU GOT THIS.
Agreed! I feel like, especially this summer, I’ve just been less interested in Twitter than before. Idk why!
Emmah says
Yay!! And I totally added/read them because of Morgan (morganameridus on twitter) haha. Yay for good book recs!!
Omg SO freaky!! I was like dang this is is TOO accurate!
We had like… pizza quesadillas, asian food, raspberry sherbert coated in white chocolate, and then we had an SU (student union) that had lots of food (chocolate chip cookies, french fries, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese, sobe drinks, and more!) haha. Fancy school~
Thanks lady 🙂
Do you have WhatsApp? If not, you need to get it haha. I don’t have service at my house, so it’s the only way I can text!
Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity says
Have I said before how much I love these posts because I do. It’s just really nice feeling like you’re catching up with life things. I love the personality test thing, a friend of mine studied psychology and was telling us the other day about this personality test and how it tells you so much about yourself so I will definitely be doing that in a bit and getting her to analyse it for me.
As for time feeling slower as a kid than it does now, someone I work with explained to me about how time is relative. Time feels longer when you’re younger because you haven’t lived as long so your understanding of time is different but as you get older you’ve lived more so time feels shorter in comparison between things (or something like that, she explained it so much better). The point is, it’s okay to feel like time is moving faster and you won’t always feel like you’re getting everything you want to done, you just need to make sure you focus on the things you are doing and enjoy it whilst you can.
I am with you on missing school with all the back to school talk. I miss learning as well. I don’t miss the tests and the essays and such but I do miss just learning something new and getting to discuss it with others. Maybe I need to take a class in something but it just doesn’t seem to be something available round by me.
And I love the idea of a fall (or autumn, if you’re a Brit like me) and Halloween bookish list. I think These Shallow Graves would be a good one (I have no idea what season that book is set in but the cover makes me want to wrap up). I recently read a horror book, Hex, which would be perfect for Halloween. I always want to read Harry potter this time of year (I think it’s linked to the back to school thing). And based upon covers alone I think A Madness So Discreet works.
Jamie says
Thank you! Honestly these are my favorite posts to sit down and write.
You’ll have to let me know which personality type you get and what you think!!
That point your co-worker said makes a LOT of sense. It definitely would make things seem shorter because we’ve experienced time differently being older. Although I was thinking after I wrote this how I was waiting on something for the past two weeks and it seem like time slowed down. Or like when I have an hour left of work WHY DOES IT FEEL LIKE FOREVER?? Maybe when we are watching time too much it feels slow also? I mean ~time flies when you are having fun~ so I’m sure the opposite is true.
I’ve been thinking about trying to take a formal class too if I could find one that is inexpensive.
YES I’ve read These Shallow Graves and A Madness So Discreet and think they would make GREAT Fall reads. They have that vibe!
Nice chatting with you!! 🙂
Judy Hudgins says
If we were having coffee (and I do have a cup of coffee next to me)…back to school time-so agree with you. I still shop the back-to-school sales because everyone needs a new box of crayons. And I can’t wait until I hit my mid-60’s to be eligible to audit classes at the local college (not long now). I would also commiserate about what summer does to the schedule and everything seems to go to pot in the summer.
I’m going for another cup of coffee now!
Haley Keller says
As I get older, I also feel like time goes by faster. I liked what you said about being more aware of time as you get older and how it isn’t endless. That makes sense to me. Even when it comes to something as simple as looking at clocks, I never did that as a kid. I was oblivious to what time it was except when my parents informed me that supper was ready or that it was bed time. Now I’m constantly looking at the clock because I have things that I have to do at certain times and deadlines. That alone probably makes me more aware of time passing.
Also, I did the Myers-Briggs personality test years ago and got INFJ. I still go back to read about my personality type every few months or so because I just marvel over how accurate it is. It’s unreal how much it describes me, and I’m not typically one to take such things seriously unless they really are spot on. I can’t even read my horoscope for fun because I’m the exact opposite of my star sign.
Nena says
Eric is reading Kids too and loves it! I took the quiz too & it was spot on! I’m obviously in the wrong field!
Definitely love these coffee posts! We’ve had Auggie a year and a half & love it other than the needing a sitter for any vacation. I feel ya!
Jolien @ The Fictional Reader says
If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I’m currently reading Valley of Embers. I feel like I’ve been in a slump this month, and I haven’t been enjoying the books I’ve been reading as much.
If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I am an INFJ. And it’s so spot on. When I read the description, I feel like yelling: YES THIS IS ME. I love personality tests!
If we were having coffee… I’d tell you I’ve had to start looking for my first job in August, because I just graduated uni. It’s not easy. It’s kind of boring and frustrating.
Gwen @ The Book Lounge says
Jamie this is such a lovely post. I seemed to have missed your previous ones but I think I shall take your lead and post one of my own. I hope you don’t mind.
It’s a great way for readers to learn more about us but more than that it seems very therapeutic. I could go for that right about now.
P.S. I am INFJ-T. Enlightening indeed 🙂
Jessa says
If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that I’m currently reading Maplecroft by Cherie Priest. But, I wouldn’t be able to tell you much about it because I’m only five pages in.
If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that I’m super excited and super nervous for the new school year. I’m a 7-12 English teacher who loves her students more than life itself. I’m so ready to go back, but so worried about new administration, switching the school’s focus to outdoor education, and always wanting to do my best.
If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that I just started my blog and just finished the first month and I’m feeling totally stressed about it. My guy doesn’t get it and I don’t feel like it’s where it should be. There is so much more that I want to learn about blogging and so much more that I want to add. I would love to steal your If we were having coffee idea for a weekly meme.
If we were having coffee…I would tell you that I am an ENFJ and that it has definitely helped me be a more effective teacher.
La La in the Library says
I love Finn! What a cutie. I am doing an all witch and Horror books October, so I will come back with some suggestions from my list. Ha ha. I adore this feature. I always look foirward to it. 🙂
Keely says
I always love reading these posts!
I’m an INTJ (so pretty much the opposite of you) which explains so much and when I read about the INTJ type everything just clicked.
It’s a year since we adopted our dog and she’s much smaller than yours but its the best decision I made. I’ve always been more of a cat person but she’s changed my mind on dogs.
Leah says
oh my gosh, Jamie, I can’t believe it’s almost been a year with Finn!! (Also, your adoptionversary is the day before my birthday :D!) We just celebrated our one-year with Bay a few weeks ago and I wrote a totally weepy post. Isn’t it insane how much a dog changes your life – for good and bad, but I wouldn’t change a thing ♥ Give your pup an extra smooch for me and happy, happy one-year!!
You know, I have my summer books (mainly romance and contemporary) and my winter (mystery) but I never thought about fall. I guess my go-to would be authors like Stephen King (though that’s kind of a cop-out!)
Maeghan says
If we were having coffee I would tell you that I had taken the same personality quiz back in college and I had to re-take it today just to see if I’m the same. And yes, same INFJ. The test really hits the nail on the head with my personality.
I would tell you that it’s been two years this Fall since my fur baby passed away from cancer. I think I’m finally ready to get another pet. So this October I’m getting a kitten. I loved my dog, Tagge, and it’s been really hard not having her here but I think my heart is ready to have another fur companion again.
I would tell you that I recently made my list for spooky Fall reads. I’m super pumped to start reading them and getting into the Halloween spirit. Autumn is my absolute favourite season and I’m already seeing pumpkin spiced everything all over the place.
I would tell you that I just harvested all the veg from my garden and all the grapes from my orchard. I spent this weekend making jam from all the grapes and making all kinds of zucchini breads and muffins.
I would tell you that I finished watching Stranger Things and now I’m looking for book recs along the same lines. Someone mentioned Paper Girls, graphic novel and I had to start reading it right away. It’s really similar Stranger Things but with a group of girls instead of boys. Pretty good so far!
Love reading your blog posts like this! Can’t wait to see what you’re reading for Fall! 🙂
Danielle @ Bookish in Texas says
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m currently about to start (like, tonight) A Court of Thorns and Roses. It’s my first time trying an SJM book and I’m equally thrilled by the synopsis and terrified of the hype, because fantasy is NOT my thing and I don’t want to be disappointed.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I can’t believe it’s been a year since you’ve adopted Finn! Contributing to how fast this year has gone in general, I suppose, but it just doesn’t feel that long! This September marks two years since I adopted my dog, Ruby, and she has just made the most wonderful and perfect addition to my little family. I’m so happy that you guys love Finn and that he has worked out so well for you! Dogs are really just the best.
I love the Meyers Briggs test! It is seriously so insightful and every time I take it I get INFJ. I would love to have my boyfriend take it too!
These are some of my favorite posts that you do! I love getting to know more about you and what’s been happening in your life. After reading your blog for like….four years now? It feels like we’re old friends!
Tiffany says
Omgggg I LOVE talking about Myers Briggs stuff. A lot of the psychology of it is wayyy beyond me but I think it’s fascinating. I just want to be an expert in figuring people out.
I really love going back and guessing what my favorite fictional characters’ personality types are. I fell down an Internet rabbit hole years and read this entire thread about Amelie (from the French film) and her personality type – she’s an INFP, like me… I had such a major revelation haha. Like, NO WONDER this movie resonated with me so deeply. http://www.typologycentral.com/forums/popular-culture-and-type/20160-le-fabuleux-destin-dam-lie-poulain.html
And the fact that we’re both -NFPs explains so much haha! xo
Cassie says
AHH JAMIE! SO MANY THINGS I agree with!
A- 2016 has FLOWN, like – more than any year ever, if possible?
B- I ALWAYS miss school this month of the year! I also tend to buy notebooks and pens and the like more than ever because I LOVE THAT STUFF and need it, and it gives me a reason to even though I’m not in school? However, since I’m starting my health coaching program in two weeks I actually had a reason to get some of it! WOOHOO! BUT like you i always miss learning. I agree with your idea of taking a few ideas and expanding on them and learning more. Before I decided to do the coaching certification, I enrolled myself in a free simple online nutrition class just because I was interested, it was fun and informative! Definitely worth a look!
C- DOG OWNERSHIP FOR THE WIN ALWAYS. They change our lives and make our hearts so full!! I’m so glad you and Will got Finn! <3 <3
D- BOO TO TECH PROBLEMS. I seriously get so agitated when that stuff happens!
OK! that was long!
xo,
Cass
Lizzy says
I just posted a plea to Twitter this morning for Halloween/autumn book recommendations!! I can’t wait to see what you get. I’m going to FINALLY read the original Dracula, but I want some others too.
I love your “If We Were Having Coffee” posts. It feels like going and…well, sitting down at a coffeeshop! You seem like such a positive, fun person and I love reading your takes on books and life.
Annie says
This summer has gone by SO fast. It feels like it should still be mid-July at the latest.
I LOVE Myers-Briggs! I’m an INTJ and the description is spot on. If you have a chance, you should read Heidi Priebe’s articles on Thought Catalog about personality types; they’re so funny and so accurate!
Mika says
I love your blog! This entry “If Were Having Coffee” post inspired me to do one. Keep blogging! More power! 🙂
Nikki says
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’m not reading anything right now, but I think I’m going to read the Pottermore Presents ebooks next. I bought them all yesterday, but it’s hard to want to read when you either have a cold or are suffering from allergies.
I’d tell you that I agree that this year has seemed to fly by. I don’t want to admit that it’s only because I’m getting older. When you’re a kid, it’s like time doesn’t have the same meaning, I guess. But now everything is so repetitive that I don’t realize time is passing: work, home, sleep, eat, repeat.
I love that personality test. I got ISFJ-T. I’m not really sure what the T means (other than turbulent), but i read the whole 8 page or whatever description and was completely flabbergasted that it described me so well. There were a few things here and there that I was like “eh, that’s not really me”, but overall, it was a really good description and very insightful. My husband has done it too, but I need to get him to redo it so I can see how well that description fits him.
I’m sorry you had trouble with your blog. I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrating that is.
I miss back to school too! When we went shopping for school supplies for my husband (first year of grad school for him, woohoo!), I was very sad I couldn’t buy pretty journals and new pens/highlighters.
Yay Finn! Yay for one year with Finn!
I didn’t really have a to do list for summer. My husband and I just kind of took advantage of being in a new place and closer to places to travel, so we took fun trips we wouldn’t have been able to take if we still lived in Texas. For day to day stuff, I have a weekly cleaning schedule with one or two things each day so that I/we don’t feel overwhelmed with having to clean everything all at once. We’ve gotten off track some with my work (working nights doesn’t really allow you much time to clean-I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate it if I started to vacuum at 2 am) and the husband starting a busy grad school schedule, but we do what we can when we can. I try not to worry about it too much. I also just make mental to do lists and write stuff down in my planner. I’m type A, so I can’t just fly by the seat of my pants. I don’t know if any of that really helps; it’s just what I do.
One of the trips we made recently was to see some of my husband’s family he rarely got to see growing up. We grew up in Texas and his family lives in Tennessee. Now that we’re in Alabama, we’re four hours away. It was nice to see them. We’re hoping to make trips to see them more often now. It is hard living so far away from our parents though. We got to go back to our hometown about a month ago and it was so awesome. I was sad coming back here.
I don’t really know many fall books. I’ve been in a contemporary mood since the beginning of summer, but I don’t really know what genre fits fall.
Nikki says
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m not reading anything right now, but will probably read the Pottermore Presents ebooks next. I bought them all for my nook yesterday, but it’s hard to feel like reading when you might have a cold or it might just be your allergies trying to kill you.
This year has definitely just flown by. Part of me thinks it’s just me getting older, but I also think that as a kid, I just didn’t have the same concept as time. I get lost in time now because life is so repetitive: work, home, sleep, eat, repeat. I really have a hard time keeping track of time because I’m a night shift nurse. Twelve hour shifts across days/months/years can really confuse you and make you lose track. I’m constantly asking people what day it is, even on my off days.
I love that personality quiz! I got ISJF-T. I don’t really know what the T means other than turbulent, but the eight or so page description was very fitting. There were a few things that I was like “eh, that’s not really me”, but it was very accurate for the most part. I’ve had my husband take it before, but I need to get him to take it again so I can find out how to better relate to him.
I’m sorry you were having blog issues! I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrating that must be.
I miss the beginning of school too! I got very sad I couldn’t but stuff for myself when we were buying school supplies for my husband (grad school for him-woohoo!). I did talk him into buying folders that matched his notebooks to keep his stuff straight, but it’s not the same.
Yay Finn! Yay for one year with Finn! Pets are the best.
I don’t really know how to combat those feels. 🙁 We have a cleaning schedule we try to follow, but sometimes fail at. He’s busy with school stuff until at least 8 every night, and I don’t think my neighbors would be too happy if I tried to vacuum at 2 in the morning. #nightshiftlife I just write stuff down in my planner and it’s very satisfying to highlight it when it’s done (even if that usually is just highlighting “work” because that’s all I do anymore).
Getting to see family is so wonderful. We took a trip recently to see some of my husband’s family we never really got to see before. We lived 16 hours away from them, but now we live 4. It’s a much more manageable trip, and we plan on doing it more often. It does suck we’re 12 hours away from our family back home, but we did get to take a trip to our hometown about a month ago. It was so great.
I don’t really know what genre fits with fall. I’ve been in a contemporary mood since the beginning of summer, but I usually just read whatever I want.
Nikki says
I didn’t realize my first comment posted! It never showed up. Sorry for double commenting! 🙁
Emma @ Miss Print says
I saw that personality quiz when Estelle tweeted her results and I really like it! I am borderline obsessed with Myers-Briggs types but have a hard time getting friends to take them (alas). I liked how this one outlined the different types. I also have shifted to full-on extrovert which isn’t surprising except usually I’ve been an introvert. My type was The Protagonist which was pretty damn accurate.
I would suggest Breaker or Blackfin Sky by Kat Ellis to get you in the fall/halloween spirit! Also Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova!
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
I would tell you… that time seems to fly SO FAST and it sometimes scares me.
I would tell you.. that I’m going to take that quiz and I’m really curious to find out what type I am.
I would tell you.. that I also miss school every now and then. I love learning 🙂
I would tell you.. that I’m really behind on blogging and catching up with my blogging friends, but I try to get back at it one step at a time.
kristen says
i feel like time is flying so much faster the older i get. i do the same thing with an hour. i used to think wow, an hour is so long, and now i wash like one dish and the hour is up. i also get distracted easily though haha.
aww i love all the things you said about Finn! happy 1 year to you all. i have 3 cats, and they are much easier than dogs, but in the same regard, it really is so much different being the adult and being the one in charge and having to buy the things and keep them well. it is an adjustment!
i’m not really into fall/halloween (gasp) but last year (or the year before?) i read anna dressed in blood, have you read it? i really enjoyed it!