The Day the Coffee Ran Out
It was a Tuesday morning, and Jake was running on autopilot. His alarm had gone off late, thanks to him hitting snooze one too many times. The winter chill made it even harder to get moving, but he had his one saving grace: the coffee maker. Except, not today.
As he stumbled into the kitchen, bleary-eyed and already annoyed, he saw it—an empty coffee canister. He searched every cabinet, muttering curses and praying for a miracle. Nothing. His roommate had finished the last of it without a second thought. Fucking Todd.
With no caffeine and an already sour mood, Jake headed to work. The office was its usual chaos: deadlines looming, emails piling up, and Karen from accounting asking for updates he didn’t have. By lunchtime, Jake was ready to snap. But then something happened.
As he sat slumped at his desk, Dave from IT stopped by. “Rough day, huh?” Dave asked. Jake just nodded.
“Let me tell you something,” Dave continued, unbothered by Jake’s lack of enthusiasm. “You can let a bad start wreck your whole day, or you can decide it’s just a bad hour. It’s your call, bro.”
It wasn’t groundbreaking wisdom, but it hit differently. Jake realized he’d been letting his morning dictate everything. So, he took a breath, got up from his chair, and did something he hadn’t done in weeks: he stepped outside for a 10-minute walk. No phone, no complaints—just fresh air. By the time he came back, he felt lighter. Sure, the coffee was still gone, but maybe the day wasn’t.
Life’s curveballs don’t have to derail your whole vibe. A bad moment is just that—a moment. The power to reset is in your hands. Don’t hand over your peace to one frustrating event.
“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” – Lao Tzu
Micro Workout: The “Bad Day Reset” Circuit
Inspired by Jake’s story, here’s a quick 5-minute mood-booster workout:
- 10 Jumping Jacks – Get your blood flowing.
- 5 Push-Ups – Start where you are, even if you modify them.
- 10 Bodyweight Squats – Focus on your form, not speed.
- 30-Second Plank – Engage that core and feel grounded.
- 5 Deep Breaths – Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4.
Do this once or twice whenever you feel stuck.
A Dad Joke
Why did the computer get angry at work?
Because it had too many tabs open.
Unsolicited Advice
When the day starts wrong, take control by choosing a reset. Step outside, move your body or pause to breathe. You can’t control everything, but you can control your reaction—and that’s where your power lies.
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