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around the corner where two strangers meet over coffee

Wells

He / Him

Fullerton, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
I'm entering my mid-20's and starting to establish myself in early career after having completed undergrad. I have a mild sense of direction forward, but in a lot of ways still just learning to adult, figure out who I am or want to be, and how I want to live my life a day at a time. I'm pretty introspective and perhaps an overthinker which can make it difficult to take action at times, but ultimately at a point where I believe it's so important to try to meet more people and form genuine bonds. After all, your relationships with those on this Earth are all you have at the end of the day and perhaps as this community suggests... just around the corner :).
How's your life?
Despite feeling like there's a lot of uncertainty and monotony these days, I have a lot to be grateful for and would say I'm at a relatively good spot in my life to explore new hobbies, environments, and perspectives to breath new life into the day-to-day. I'm not the most athletic or social person, but it would be good to get out of the house more!
What helps you keep your sanity?
Watching my favorite shows, discovering fantastic new music, spending time with loved ones, and arguably the most important to keep sanity for me is having something to look forward to in whatever form that comes in.
What is most important to you right now?
Travel and connection. There's so much of the world I would love to see. It would be great to find others on here who are looking to build new friendships and possibly be down to travel together when life permits.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Something interesting I've thought about both in the past and recently is how total strangers can become an important part of your life - this ATC community is a cool opportunity for that!
CH
Welcome to ATC :) ☕️
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ikigai
hi there! i'm in the same boat as you, mid twenties and working on my career. sent you a coffee chat!
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What is your idea of a perfect day?
Asked by

Sarah

Itsasiannotbsian
dot
Huntington Beach
Wake up naturally. Rub my dogs head. Watch her yawn and do her cute stretch. Make a cup of matcha latte. Get a little work done. Nice lunch in Little Saigon. Go to TJ Maxx and browse. Gym. Hot pot dinner. Boba. A nice walk. Sleep.
Captain501
dot
Santa Ana
Waking up without interrupted sleep. I can go about my day feeling my best and I'd exchange some smiles through transactions and to other strangers. I'd go home to make a simple meal involving lots of vegetables and I finally finish that bag of spinach. I'd go to the laundromat and coincidentally use up all my quarters. I'd then go home and light my favorite woody candle and press play on a movie I was looking forward to watching all week.
InternalRevelry
dot
San Francisco
My perfect day is one where I don't have to worry about what I need to do. I'm ahead of work, ahead of chores, I've exercised, studied, and even spent a lot of time doing hobbies and socializing.
On this perfect day, I wake up feeling fulfilled by what I have accomplished all week. What I spend my time doing on that day doesn't matter at all, whatever I do, it'll be a perfect day.
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FluffyBallOfFur

She / Her

Redwood City, CA

Where are you at in your life stage?
In my 30s, finished my PhD not too long ago, on my first job right now. Relocated to the bay area for this job. Living with my partner, no kids. Currently trying to decide what is next for my life.
How's your life?
Life is going great, but I need friends/a new community given I've relocated and know no one in the area. When you don't have a community, it can feel pretty isolating. I work in tech, so I try to go on hikes, hit the gym or go on walks as often as I feel motivated to do it. I don't have much time during the week, but pretty free on the weekends.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My hobbies: love to play video games, board games, read fantasy books, singing, watching movies/shows. Talking to my long distance friends, family and partner is also a big source of joy in my life. Eating great food also lifts my spirit!
What is most important to you right now?
Finding real connections with people to eventually develop a sense of belonging. I am interested in deeper connections that arise when two people invest time and effort into growing a friendship.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I finished playing Baldurs Gate 3 not long ago and I truly loved it! Also watching Succession currently, which I find very interesting.

ILoveNachos

He / Him

Newark, CA

ILoveNachos's photo

Tranquility

Where are you at in your life stage?
Early 30s, settled, married, working in tech in Bay Area (surprise surprise!), no kids - actually, learning to adult better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Looking to find my tribe! Whether it's deep convos, lighthearted banter, epic board game battles, or exploring new eateries and activities!
How's your life?
Happy and content. Discovering more about myself and the world each day. I had prioritised my career at the expense of building/maintaining social connections in the past and have made a conscious effort to rectify it in the last 5 years. Have come to realise and cherish the peace that strong friendships bring to one’s life. I’m particularly curious to understand why male friendships are often neglected and relegated to a second tier. I hope this medium gives me a chance to explore this further.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Working out, reading, traveling and humor. Got off instagram a few months ago, and having recovered from the dopamine crash, I can devote a lot of my time to what brings me the most joy and purpose.
Spent some time traveling in Europe last year and India this year with hopefully a few weeks in Mexico to come.
I lost 60 lbs over the course of 4 years and started building towards Olympic weightlifting last year. Also, looking to get back into playing tennis or pickleball on a regular basis.
Joined an in-person book club last year and loved it. Gives me an awesome opportunity to read books I normally wouldn’t go for.
Watched a few stand up comedy shows across Bay Area but definitely looking for more recommendations.
What is most important to you right now?
Connecting with interesting individuals who are curious about the world and taking baby steps towards identifying people I can build solid foundation of friendship.
I believe it’s also important to acknowledge the bubbles we trap ourselves in and venture beyond it. Would love to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, opinions and professions.
Anything you recently found interesting?
1. The Swiss have a concept where they have free-wheeling conversations about death over tea and cake. 2. Been reading about how every creature on this planet has a unique and beautiful story - how melodious male nightangles make the best fathers, Kiwis that have adapted to a nocturnal lifestyle to fit in New Zealand’s habitat and chameleons possess the most fascinating eyes. 3. Besides that, I recently spent some time at a coffee estate and learned about coffee making.
JackofFewTrades
Hey! I've been thinking a lot about male friendships recently too—I genuinely don't get why they aren't as valued as they should be (but alas!). Any recent book recommendations of things that surprised you/you might not have read otherwise? It appears we're on opposite ends of the Bay Area, but if you ever want to grab coffee or something in the middle, lmk!
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ILoveNachos
Hi Jack of Few Trades, sorry missed this message. Texted you.
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GrapefruitSpoon

She / Her

Huntington Beach, CA

GrapefruitSpoon's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
26F living and thriving in OC. Originally from the east coast DMV area but have been in SoCal for several years. Looking to expand my friendship circle in the new year.
How's your life?
Life is always great if the sun’s out, and baby we live in SoCal! Sunny California optimism aside, I actually need to get out on more walks on account of working one of those back breaking desk jobs (seriously, though, apparently we’re all slowly disintegrating at our 9 to 5’s).
What helps you keep your sanity?
Reading and writing! And since this is anonymous, reading out loud in the confines of my apartment, as if in my childhood classroom, is a secret pleasure. The Platonic dialogues have been a recent favorite but are hampered by my not having a reading partner. Any takers are warmly welcomed, prerequisite knowledge of the Greeks and/or other pretentious stuffs not required.
What is most important to you right now?
Enjoying life and making time for my creative endeavors. Soaking in the beauty of where I am now while I’m here and finding ways to incorporate that beauty into my creative work in order to extend its life.
Anything you recently found interesting?
As I aim to know myself better than I did yesterday, a recent revelation about my inner being has actually— really— startled me: Hotel California may capture my soul for the remainder of its earthly existence purely because I’m not sure I can bare the grief of leaving behind the best food in the U.S. No, not the job opportunities, not the social programs or the schools— not even the sunshine! It’s the food, plain and simple, that will likely derail my vague future plans to return home and instead result in my white lying through every future holiday with my family until, finally, they ask no more, content to wordlessly acknowledge my full coastal conversion. Or something like that, idk, my mom actually doesn’t ask if I’m moving back that often.
awooof
woooo east coast buddies! i'm glad your enjoying settling in for the past few years and you're so right on the food. that's the number one thing i'm most grateful to have around here - diverty (and flavor ...) i sent you a coffee if you're interested!
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Captain501

He / Him

Santa Ana, CA

Captain501's photo

Wandering in Shibuya.

Where are you at in your life stage?
I am in my mid-thirties seeking vibrant experiences outside of a successful career. I recently came back from a 2-week vacation in Tokyo and am reminded how important it is for me to have a zest for life. I want to keep that high by having new experiences and developing new connections.
How's your life?
My career and hobby aspirations are going the way I want, but it can get lonely. I could use some company.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Looking and feeling my best. That involves how I physically look, hitting the gym, and making sure I get to mentally disconnect. I often mentally disconnect through home organizing and cleaning, detailing my car. I will continue to plan solo trips, so that I can always have something to look forward to. Looking into the future gives me perspective on where I currently am at.
What is most important to you right now?
Doing what you like on a daily basis, but in different places of the world. What falls under this list: coffee, cocktails, cuisine, thrifting, some wellness-related activity. Oh, lots of walking! These simply allow for me to reflect, reset, while having fun.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Timeleft! It's an app where you get to have dinner with strangers. I also have become a more educated voter, learning how to get my memoir out to the world, and emotional intelligence. I also got to gauge how long it'd take and to engage in the biggest jet lag of my life: 17 hours.
LostInBoba
I came upon Timeleft through a Reddit page a few weeks ago, downloaded it but haven't tried it yet. Have you? If so, how was the experience?
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Captain501
@LostInBoba I have tried Timeleft! I had a positive experience dining with strangers. I recently went to the movies with 1 of them. I was completely nervous when I was arriving, but I place myself in these situations often to not be. Go for it!
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LostInBoba

She / Her

Irvine, CA

LostInBoba's photo

Just got back from Guangzhou/HK. Where to next?

Where are you at in your life stage?
35 and still trying to figure out life. Unemployed by choice at the moment so I can find my "calling," but it feels like a monumental task. I'm not sure what I really want or am looking for. I've gone through a handful of careers so I know what I don't want for sure. But is this all there really is to life? It feels like I should be doing more at my age considering I spend most of my days now doom scrolling, hanging out with my dogs, reading, and doing some sort of craft like crochet, calligraphy, or engraving.
How's your life?
I think I'm pretty content in life. First to graduate college in my family, married my childhood crush, travels, own a home, and childfree. My career is lacking majorly, but I think I put too much emphasis of my happiness on it and whether or not I'm doing enough at my age.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My husband, my dogs, and boba. Literally when in doubt, boba.
What is most important to you right now?
My health and finding my own community. I've had friends growing up and while we're still friends, I feel like I need people where I can develop deeper, fulfilling relationships with? I love my friends but it feels like most of us are staying friends out of nostalgia, which isn't bad but I feel like there could be something more?
Anything you recently found interesting?
Not really interesting but I'm currently obsessed with Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo in Thailand! And capybaras are the largest living rodent.
LostInBoba
@plimrose Hello hello! 🧋 Isn’t it like the best drink ever? What are some of your favorite spots?
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olivesforbreakfast
Nice pic! Hong Kong has been at the top of my travel bucket list for a while now:)
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What do people usually get wrong about you?
Asked by

plumeriapassion

Ruby
dot
San Jose
@CH I once read that when people were asked to read an excerpt from a book and guess the gender of the author, most would assume the author is male. That might speak to the way society has shaped our expectations and perhaps could be partly why your readers make such an assumption. :)
DCee
dot
Garden Grove
Because I’m introverted and constantly overthinking, (maybe a tad bit of rbf.. ha..) people think I’m standoffish; to but it nicely. The reality is I’m not, I’m just selective with my energy. I’m always looking to improve though, so I know it’s something to work on if I’m giving people that impression of me.
hojichaday
dot
Los Angeles
My craft is in design. It’s often assumed that if you can make things beautiful, you or your work cannot simultaneously be smart
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CH

She / Her

Irvine, CA

CH's photo

Captured a shooting star at Sedona, AZ

Where are you at in your life stage?
Thirty-something and happily coupled. I'm navigating that peculiar time where I feel I'm still young but not as young as I used to be. Transplanted to the US in 2016 for a career leap into tech. I recently started jumping back and forth between the Bay Area and SoCal. After a year away, I'll be back in the Bay Area between Nov and Dec. I miss the scenic drive on Highway 280.
How's your life?
I left tech corporate for a good reset I needed. Since then, I revisited my hobbies to discover what brings me true joy. As I've shifted my focus, I've gotten better at recognizing people I can vibe with.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My morning routines. I play tennis or go swimming at 6. I like the feeling when I walk along the quietly muted town.
When I have a long extended weekend, I go on road trips to somewhere I can completely disconnect. Sleeping in the no-cell service zone is my favorite.
What is most important to you right now?
Happiness only real when shared.
I work on Around The Corner. Last year, I met two strangers every week and eventually turned the project over to the community building. That's how this website was begun. I hope this space helps more people realize we're already surrounded by amazing people—they've been always there, just within our arm's reach.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Richard David Precht, a German philosopher. Just started his book: Who Am I?: And If So, How Many? I like his witty but straight elucidations on -- why we work, what love is, why we should live a good life, why life is painful, what philosophy is.
Eva Illouz: A French sociologist who studies emotions. Her research shows how capitalism has commodified emotions, leading us to participate in creating self-staged happiness illusions online and consume ourselves.
LostInBoba
Thanks for starting ATC! I’ve been quietly lurking since I stumbled upon the Reddit post about a year ago and I finally took the leap! Hoping to create meaningful friendships from this :)
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Q
Adding this book to my reading list! Thanks for building an awesome community. I think the more we connect with people, the more we find out now similar we all are, in one way or another. It's a beautiful thing that we forget sometimes.
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