Creative outlets are extremely necessary to being human. To interpret the mundane into something with deep intent and meaning is such a beautiful thing.
The Catholic apologist G. K. Chesterton in his book The Everlasting Man says that “art is the signature of man.” Creativity is essential to being human and defining what it means to be human. It is creativity which sets us apart from animals and other living things. Our propensity to ask questions and seek solutions has led to the technological advances and modern conveniences we enjoy today, and also to the works of art spanning the entirety of human existence. Creative outlets make us more driven, more thoughtful, more intentional, and ultimately, more human. Small, daily practices in creativity boost dopamine and increase the everyday value of our lives.
The myth of right- versus left-brained individuals was dispelled long ago, but I believe this expression can be a helpful metaphor. As a “right-brained individual” myself, I believe creativity is much like any other competency, such as math or foreign language: The ability is inherent in every human being, but for some, there is more of a draw. God gifts us from birth with our proclivities and talents, but it’s a mistake to assume creativity only applies to artists. And yes, some people make creativity into a career. But the benefits of a creative outlet are available to everyone, regardless of which hemisphere of the brain is, metaphorically, more dominant. What research shows is the importance of creativity for every human in every field.
This week I corresponded with my cousin Drew, a technologist in the East Bay of California, who very recently discovered his own creative bend: coffee. He began his digital coffee journal in 2022. I wrote to my cousin to hear more about his views on creative hobbies.
How necessary are creative outlets to being human?
Extremely! As layered beings, I think creativity is one of the more connective and impressionable experiences we’ll ever have in our lives. To interpret the mundane into something with deep intent and meaning is such a beautiful thing.
Out of all creative outlets, why did you choose coffee?
This was a process. I’m the type of person to really go out and try different things to see “what sticks” and to see what I actually enjoy doing. And in my late 20s and early 30s, I’ve found myself diving more deeply into my past experiences to really navigate those real passions in life and be more intentional about what the next “creative outlet” would be. Coffee was always around, something I liked but didn’t love. But the pre-pandemic helped pique my interest even more when we were locked down and home more. I dove deep into the coffee culture and fell in love. I found out how much more deeply in line the little drink had with some of my deeper passions in life.
Do you think your STEM career highlighted the need for a creative outlet?
Personally, I don’t think it highlighted a need, but the outlet was a growing byproduct of certain characteristics needed to do well in a STEM career. For me, one of those characteristics is curiosity. Being curious about how things work really began my career in technology, and this curiosity then seeped into the creative coffee space.
What has being a roaster and-barista taught you about yourself? life? art?
Way more than I thought it ever could, really. With myself, it taught (and is teaching) me how much discipline I’m truly capable of, and my learning capacity. Being in tech and then diving deeply into a field as foreign as coffee has its challenges, but this outlet really fills a different piece of me. Having something in which to be expressive is such an important layer of life to have. I’m learning this is one of the few pieces you can actually leave behind when you’re gone.
For writers, one thing that often happens is “writer’s block.” Visual artists often experience the same thing. How does an artistic “block” happen with coffee? And how do you overcome it?
What’s funny is I’m experiencing “coffee block” as we speak. Right now I’m at a wall of either continuing the current flow I have with a post I’m trying to finish, or totally getting rid of a piece that’s not fully supporting my final “wrap-up.” I ended up stepping away from my computer and cooking. Cooking is extremely therapeutic for me, and I was able to come back to my project a little more clearheaded, and I could even approach the post from a different perspective to choose what would work best. So sometimes blocks are either “I just can’t think of anything; my mind is a blank state of nothingness” or “I did so well! But there’s a wall between me and finishing this—how and why?”
I feel like I have “coffee block” more times than I’d like to admit. (laughs) Really though, the only way I can overcome it is either reflecting on past pieces that gave me inspiration before or literally going to a coffee spot and embracing what it has to offer. Presence plays an extreme role on this creative journey, and the more I can be in that state, I feel the more the vision and content kind of just manifests itself from that.
What is it about coffee that makes it such a staple in communities?
I think the reason has layers, but between its historical relevancy in the world—from commodity to common drink—to the type of culture that’s created around it, people are attracted to coffee. It’s almost commonplace to be around coffee in a social context outside of food and other activities. Plus, who doesn’t love caffeine?
How big of a role does community play in your creative pursuit?
An extremely large role. Between feedback, inspiration, and even manifestations of Drew Brew’s IG account, community is what runs the future of my creative pursuit.
Diverse, unique, intentional, and curious are the bigger words that come to mind when describing the coffee community. After getting more involved and being in the proximity of “coffee people,” there are so many layers that it brings an extremely diverse bunch—whether that’s people from the farms to roasters and distributors to your typical homebrewer, you’re bound to get a glimpse of the type of people who are involved in the space.
What are you currently learning in your coffee journey? What are your aspirations with this creative pursuit?
Currently I’m diving deeper into commercial roasting: learning the components needed to run a full-scale roastery, and the fundamentals of overall roasting techniques and the skills needed to roast coffee well.
My dream is to open my own coffee company. Not necessarily a café per se, but more of a space for normal folks to tap into their identities, their culture, and their creativity—all over an amazing cup of coffee. More to come on that for sure.
My dream is to open my own coffee company. . . . a space for normal folks to tap into their identities, their culture, and their creativity—all over an amazing cup of coffee.
What is your philosophy of coffee?
Simply put, “Enjoy the process.” A lot happens behind every cup—before, during, and after brewing. Each part is just as important as the others, and attention to each will yield such an amazing experience . . . if you let it.
What is your advice to someone wanting to learn more about coffee?
Follow me on Instagram to learn more! (laughs) But really, start as basic as possible. I’ve encouraged folks to get a cheap pour-over or drip kit, and get to know your local cafés and what they have to offer. Asking baristas is also such a good way to learn, because they know the coffee well—usually.
What is your advice to someone without a creative outlet?
Dig deep and enjoy the process of finding one. More times than not, we’re in love with the idea of an outlet so much that the idea becomes the focus. Then we forget what we were even looking for in the first place, and why. Intentionality will take you a long way in that process too.
How can people support or follow your journey?
@drewbrews_coffee on Instagram is my most active and intentional space for my coffee journey! You’ll find some random funny stuff to very informational and uplifting things. I really wanted Instagram to be a space for me and my insides, but also be a space that I can learn coffee from. So you’ll get a good glimpse of both, as well as some future career moves that I’m working on.