Skip the line
“I just want to ask the maitre d’ a question. I promise I’m not not trying to cut in line,” I said to the overtired tourist who was next in line to enter Ralph’s Coffee.
At least, that was my intention.
If you’re not familiar, Ralph’s Coffee is one of those insta famous NYC coffee shops where all the Blair Waldorf and Serena Van der Woodsen-wannabees take their perfectly styled pics.
(Jury’s still out on whether they actually drink the coffee)
So what was I doing there? Well, Upper East Siders, I’m not immune to a cute aesthetic coffee shop.
(Romanticizing life is part of my human design, so this tracks).
When my mom, sister, and I took a fall girls’ trip to NYC a couple weeks ago, one of the places I wanted my sister to experience was Ralph’s.
(It really is a beautiful coffee shop inside!! How could it not be, Ralph Lauren designed it? *And* there are nice bathrooms 👀)
After walking up and down the UES looking at all the stoops decorated for Halloween, we came upon 72nd and Madison. I’d timed our arrival so that we’d get there just when our feet needed a break but before anyone was about to get hangry.
As Madison Avenue came into view, I saw the line.
It was wrapped around the building, at least 50 people deep.
Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no.
(I know the line gets crazy, but I don’t remember it being that crazy last time. I mean… I don’t even think we waited in a line!)
We joined the who-knows-how-long-this-is-gonna-take line and prepared to wait.
I don’t know what came over me, but I had this compulsion to somehow not have to wait in this line.
I told my mom and sister to stay put and that I would be right back.
(Now, you should know there are two ways to get your coffee here: you can get it to-go or you can sit inside. We wanted to sit inside.)
I came up to the front of the line and tried to suss out the situation. Was there a single line for both to go and inside seating? Was there a separate line for inside seating that I just wasn’t seeing?
The over-it-but-too-close-to-turn-back-now people in the front of the line looked laser focused — they just wanted to get their coffee — so I didn’t want to ask them.
I saw the maitre d’ through the window and knew I needed to make contact. He would know the answer.
I waved to the couple next in line and said, “I just want to ask the maitre d’ a question. I promise I’m not not trying to cut in line.”
As they nodded I opened the door and made a beeline to him.
“Is there a separate line for to-go orders and inside seating?”
“Yes, how many are you?” he said with a gracious smile.
“Three!” I said, in disbelief.
As he led me to a table I nearly levitated and floated all the way to my seat.
(Before you think I actually *did* cut the line, it should be known that the seating area was half empty.)
(Also, this is a testament to one of my favorite mantras, “Don’t ask, don’t get!”)
I texted my mom and sister and told them they could SKIP THE LINE because I got us a table. Before we knew it, we were digging into the most decadent chocolate cake (highly recommend!), feeling like we’d stumbled upon the biggest secret, and incredibly happy we weren’t still STUCK in that long ass line.
Journaling is a lot like a skip-the-line pass.
Not in the sense that you bypass difficult/challenging emotions, experiences, or circumstances. But in the sense that journaling helps you move through them more quickly, efficiently, and wisely.
Journaling is an antidote to the stuck, suck, and stickiness of life.
To skip the line and get UNSTUCK you have to ask better questions.
This is where a journaling guide (it’s me, hi!) can really help expedite how quickly you can move through something, uncover The Answer you’ve been searching for, or break through blocks.
For example, if you’ve ever felt stuck in your career I’m sure you’ve come across the question:
“If you had a magic wand and you could do anything you wanted, what would you do?”
This question is fine. But here’s how a journaling guide makes it even better:
“If you had a magic wand, and you could do anything you wanted *and everyone in your life would be happy about it,* what would you do?”
That tiny little addition — “and everyone in your life would be happy about it” — releases just enough pressure to give people pleasers, eldest daughters, and perfectionists space to dream about their bright ideas and big plans.
One of the ways we can get (and stay) stuck is feeling overwhelmed.
(And not knowing how to move through it because… we’re overwhelmed!)
This week’s “Journal, together” topic is: Mental decluttering 🧹
I’ll be taking you through 3 prompts in 30 minutes that will make your brain feel like one of those professional organizers came in and put everything in its neat little place.
Grab a pen (or pencil), paper, and your fave drink and join us on Wednesday at 9AM PT/12PM ET. It’s free, so come hang!
As one of our attendees said a couple weeks ago, “The prompts are magic!”
And if you’ve made it this far, ILYSM!
I want you to be the FIRST to know that I have a 4-week journaling series coming up around making the holidays less chaotic, more joyful. If you want all the deets first (even before newsletter subscribers!) hit ‘reply’ and send me a 🎄 emoji.