Barista’s Coffee- A New Year Date with Yourself
Welcome to the Hidden Gems of New Jersey podcast in 2024!!! I am excited to share with you some of the Hidden spots of South Jersey and highlight some of the things in this area that make it great. We are now in January which can be spooky as it is one of the coldest months, the daylight is strikingly short, and it can feel like there is not “much to do”. It is not often that one can find a spot that has incredible coffee with specialty drinks alongside a full breakfast menu that knocks it out of the park. Barista’s is located in Northfield New Jersey and is a corner shop within Central Square. All around Barista’s there are little shops, boutiques, and eateries that are fun to explore and walk through. Barista’s is open every day from 8am-3pm except Tuesdays when they are closed. The owners of Barista’s are Leila and Joe Karlsen, and they have created a space that feels like it’s own unique experience when you step into the shop.
Barista’s in and of itself is a Hidden Gem. As soon as you walk in, someone greets you with a smile. You are able to take your items to go, sit down at a table to order breakfast and coffee, or take your coffee to their seating/work area.
The Hidden Gem within Barista’s is their Coffee Flights! On their website you can set up an appointment to go alone or with a friend and order one of their coffee flights! The flights come in a wooden tray, and you get to pick 4 different combinations and flavors that you would like to taste.
Get yourself to Barista’s to order a coffee flight or one of their signature lattes for one. Get comfortable in their cozy seating area, and plan to journal about the past year and reflect on the new one.
Pictured below is Barista’s Cinnamon Bun Signature Latte. This latte includes their espresso with steamed milk, brown sugar cinnamon flavoring, whipped cream, and a dash of cinnamon.
It is a brand new year which can bring on many different emotions, ideas, goals, aspirations, and frames of mind. Many will crack out their journals to begin planning and thinking through all kinds of goals for the year. It is common with the new year to want to set aspirations or ideas of what the year could look like. Under 10% of people who set their resolutions for the year actually end up following through with them! This is always something that has been interesting to me when reflecting on the concept of it being a new year. I feel the excitement and anticipation of a new season and tend to create a monstrous list of all that I’d like to do in the next year.
The questions I have created for you here, are ones that allow one to reflect on the year that they had while discussing the idea of the year ahead of them. It starts with a reflection which can launch you into your concept, values, and ideas for the next year. Our past experiences play a part in our current mindset and our choices in how we move through our lives.
2023 Reflection Questions: 2024 Reflection Questions:
What were you proud of this year? How does the new year feel to you? (scary, exciting, indifferent)
How did I change and grow? Where can I cultivate more gratitude in my life?
Who do I feel the best around? What did I not give myself in 2023 that I can give myself in 2024?
What was my biggest challenge? What is one thing that I can do 5 minutes per day to support my mind,
In what ways am I proud of myself? body, and spirit?
My favorite moments were… What are you leaving behind/bringing with you into the new year?
I felt happiest when… How can I show up differently in conflict?
What was the greatest challenge? How can I improve in my communication?
