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around the corner where two strangers meet over coffee in the San Francisco Bay Area

Rook

He / Him

Mountain View, CA

Rook's photo

My favorite photo I took in Antarctica. The trip changed a lot in my life for the better.

Where are you at in your life stage?
My wife and I are in our early 30s and trying to settle into the bay after moving here in 2022. I've been in my career doing commodities consulting for over a decade and am trying to grow more outside of my career. Kids are in the plans for the next few years, but currently child-free.
How's your life?
In many ways it's great, but since moving to the bay establishing a social circle has been challenging. Working from home only compounds that.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Traveling and getting away from work. My wife and I try to make many small trips throughout the year with some bigger ones. Enjoy as much of our youth until kids make travel harder. I became adept at getting cheap/free travel when I traveled regularly for work, so playing that game and planning the next vacation is my favorite daydream.
What is most important to you right now?
Right now getting my wife and I to feel more at home in the Bay Area is my biggest priority. We've been here for more than 18 months but haven't found many close friendships.
Anything you recently found interesting?
It's an hour faster to fly SFO-London than it is SFO-Tokyo. The scale of the Pacific is just insane and makes the success of the Polynesian explorers seem impossible.
JuicySundriedtomato1
That sounds fantastic! It's great that you and your wife make time for both small and big trips throughout the year. We plan to stay locally in California this year and explore more the state parks. Do you have any exciting trips lined up soon?
The Unplugged Club: An Evening of Device-Free Connection
Sat, May 24 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
The Mess Hall
Let’s spend an evening device-free, enjoying face-to-face connections and quiet time alike.
View details
What's one thing you wish you could unlearn?
Asked by

CH

dot
San Jose
Honestly despite the bad side of the internet I’ve seen and learned about I don’t wish to unlearn anything. Because of what I’ve learned I’ve become who I am now and I’m proud of not being perfect but achieving what I want instead of what others want out of me.
That my worth and value are based on what others think of me. I'm trying to learn how to love myself and develop a secure attachment style.
dot
Richmond
I wish I could unlearn how cruel and horrible people can be when they think they are better than others

Kerbal

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Kerbal's photo

Recently started exploring photography and sketching thoes photos as a form of mindfulness/focus

Where are you at in your life stage?
Early/soon-to-be-mid 20s, and moved to the city a little under a year ago after graduation. A good number of my close friends stayed in the area as well, great for an initial base of social life but also causing me to find myself not exploring socially as much as I could. I've been trying to figure out how to define life for myself post-graduation - the routines that keep me sane, and how to break those up to keep things interesting.
How's your life?
Pretty good. I enjoy my work and am pretty satisfied with my social life even as I learn to explore more socially and find my footing in the city.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Lifting, drawing, reading, cooking when I have the time, and existing around others
What is most important to you right now?
Developing and defining my social life further
Anything you recently found interesting?
I started sketching somewhat consistently a few weeks back, without any real knowledge/practice previously. Didn't realize that I'd end up with a fairly consistent style after just a few days of doing it, despite it not being something i know how to describe still

Pocketmonstr

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Pocketmonstr's photo

Heaven on Earth (aka Heavenly)

Where are you at in your life stage?
Happy in San Francisco, but most of my close friends have left. I’d like to get out of my bubble of loose friends, and develop some deeper friendships with people who live very close, where we can have more spontaneous dinners / hangouts
How's your life?
Overall, quite good. I'm in the midst of job searching which has been hectic, but I think I'm finally coming to the tail end of it. I would like to be spending more time on my physical therapy and am optimistic that once the job search settles I'll be able to do that and heal my body...as well as have some more time to try rebuild my community in SF
What helps you keep your sanity?
Fitness & Outdoors: Tennis, pickleball, yoga, gym, walks in parks, hiking, skiing Indoor stuffs: Reading, writing, board/card games, eating (out :))
Mostly tennis though!
What is most important to you right now?
Meeting new, interesting people, and especially ones who live close to me, and/or play tennis!
Anything you recently found interesting?
I’ve gotten super sucked into the world of Cosmere (Brandon Sanderson fictional book saga )
Acb
I'm in the same boat of figuring out a new job/career and working on creating a community. As a person that is really into sports medicine can I ask what kind of injury you are doing physical therapy for? or is it just more general health macitence?
MinorMapillai
Brandy Sandy is fantastic, I was introduced to him through Stormlight but haven't caught up with the larger Cosmere yet unfortunately. Where do you usually play tennis in the city? Sent a coffee request!

deuxcroissants

She / Her

Oakland, CA

deuxcroissants's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Mid-30s, pretty settled in my career, and have a fantastic community of friends and family in and outside of the Bay. I'm single, searching for a long-term partner, and am looking to expand my circle/community (in all ways!).
How's your life?
Zooming out, it's pretty good! Sometimes I feel like a kid still, just with more money and responsibilities. I never thought I'd laugh this much as an adult!
I'm quite happy with my day to day life, but when I'm 80 and reflecting on my life, I want to feel fulfilled and content and like I squeezed a lot of love, meaning, gratitude, purpose, and memories into it. So I'm always looking for ways to add more of those things!
What helps you keep your sanity?
Being outside, hiking, cycling, beach volleyball; croissants, berries, pizza, sushi, dark roast coffee; tall mountains + glacial lakes; traveling; finding great bakeries in small little towns; a heavy dose of laughing with friends and family balanced with a few minutes of introvert time per day
What is most important to you right now?
Spending meaningful time with family and friends while developing new connections and relationships, including finding a long-term partner.
Seeing the outdoors and exploring new places.
Understanding myself and understanding others. Continuous self-reflection and growth.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I still can't wrap my head around how large the number 52! is (the number of unique ways you can shuffle a deck of cards)
deuxcroissants
@Amaranthine: travel-wise, Alaska! Loved how vast and massive it feels. And the glaciers! Local: Oakland's newest croissant place, Forma!
Hygge
Sent a request. Would love to check out any good bakery - found a few in Berkeley recently :)

heyyyfever

She / Her

Mountain View, CA

heyyyfever's photo

I once visited this super cool "floating market" in Vietnam

Where are you at in your life stage?
I'm someone in my early 40s, currently dating. The hardest part is 1) making new connections (I'm a transplant) and 2) maintaining the ones I have because most of my friends are busy with their spouses and kids. Recently one of my best friends had shoulder surgery and is currently housebound for the next 6 weeks and I'm secretly thrilled! I call her at anytime without worrying that I'm interfering with her life and she likes it when I call because she's super bored haha.
How's your life?
It's a lot better ever since I switched jobs and aren't pulling 14-hour days. I got really burned out at one point. So I'm learning to take breaks and not make my whole life about work (even though I enjoy my career!). Tomorrow I'm doing a movie night with coworkers and in a couple of weeks I'm visiting Japan for the first time. It feels weirdly scary to take PTO but I'm telling myself it's OK. I think being the daughter of refugees has made me think that life is just about work and survival but I'm sure my parents would want me to be happy too.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Getting lost in a good book
What is most important to you right now?
Wellness. Got a personal trainer! I'm getting my azz kicked! :D
Anything you recently found interesting?
Okay so I used to think sports were really boring. Guys going back and forth across the field? Racecars going around and around in circles? I have never been so happy to be so wrong. One of my exes taught me about American football and WOW it is endlessly interesting. There are so many cool scenarios that can happen right down to the last 2 seconds. And then there's Formula 1 -- so many interesting situations there too! The choice of tire compound the weather conditions the tracks themselves it's all so so interesting and so great.
RAF11
Definitely get it about the friends with spouses and kids! I had a solid group, and then everyone went and got married - some of them to each other - or they left the Bay Area. C'est la vie, I suppose.
heyyyfever
@RAF11 I guess they'll return to us when their kids turn 18?? LOL. But yeah, over time I've noticed that most of my friends are child-free

TheConstantGardener

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

TheConstantGardener's photo

A moment captured at base camp during my attempt to summit Shasta via Hotlum Glacier route

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m in my mid 30s, married. Recently quit my job to take a career break. Exploring things that I always put off due to lack of time - beginning with learning piano.
How's your life?
I don’t have much of a routine as of yet, earlier it was mostly dictated by my job, now I am rebuilding it. Generally weekends are quite chill where I try to spend time with my husband. Mornings are typically slower, more active during later part of the day with coffee runs, walks in the neighborhood, cooking.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature walks, music, art, a clean home.
What is most important to you right now?
My health and finding a community of friends - I wanna build a daily routine that I can consistently follow, with habits that truly fulfill me (exercising, walking, meditation and journaling) and get me ready for the day. I have realized it’s really hard to develop long lasting adult friendships- most of my old friends have been separated by time or distance and I am looking to make new ones.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Afro soul music - so cool, always uplifts my mood and makes me wanna move. Some of my most played tracks are Antidote by Nao, Essence by Wizkid, Commas and Rush by Ayra Star, Corny by Rema.
S4revelu2
@TheConstantGardener you're welcomeee :)))
dragon_tales
Have you bagged Shasta yet 🙃
Has anyone had a successful IRL meetup from this community?
Asked by

MrsPiggy

dot
Mountain View
I'm at 1/2 so far. The first attempt didn't work since we weren't able to find a time :( but the second time worked :)
dot
San Jose
I’m 2/2! Got to meet two great people on here!
dot
San Mateo
@Amaranthine Aw that is wonderful! I have yet to meet up with anyone, but I think part of the problem is I keep missing the notifications!
dot
Saratoga
@Amaranthine Hope you had a great time with your fellow strangers ☕️
dot
Daly City
@Amaranthine sameeeee!!
dot
San Jose
@MrsPiggy i can understand that. the only way i made it work was by sending a comment to the person i was sending a coffee request together to make it work
dot
Saratoga
Yes, I've met a lot of great humans since Around The Corner started :)
dot
Daly City
@CH 🥹

sunkissedsummers

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

sunkissedsummers's photo

The coast is one of my favorite places to venture out to (ironically also my greatest fear)

Where are you at in your life stage?
Just moved to the city late last year! Trying to figure out what exactly I want to do with life and figuring out who I am/growing comfortable with myself. Trying to keep my enthusiastic and positive energy steady with all interactions I have with others. I just want to make genuine connections and learn from others. Self discovery and growth is at a high for me now!
How's your life?
Life is okay. I have a good job and a decent support system but something feels missing, and I'm not entirely sure what it is. I've been learning a lot about my past and how it affected me while actively trying to practice positive changes.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Going out on walks/drives/being in nature. Eating good food!! Any kind interaction with a stranger. Those little memorable exchanges make a huge difference. Also dogs and cats haha.
What is most important to you right now?
Just being more comfortable being vulnerable! It's something I've always struggled with in the past and i feel like I closed off parts of myself that I actually like. I want to grow out of my shell again and I think just having meaningful conversations with others and allowing myself to meet new people/try new things would help!
Anything you recently found interesting?
I heard that if you see a banana slug for the first time that you're supposed to kiss it (Santa Cruz local tradition haha).
Neko
How are you liking the city?