Drink the coffee before it gets cold

I am a hoarder. Not of things that clutter, but of things that sparkle. Things that bring joy just by existing—pretty pens, fancy journals, coffee mugs and what not. But I don’t buy them to use. Oh no, I buy them to save. To tuck away for a mythical “special day.” Trinkets and treasures that whisper happiness, waiting to be unwrapped. A velvet scrunchie in the most perfect shade of lilac, a candle that smells like warm vanilla and nostalgia, an elegant fountain pen with gold trim that glides across paper like a dream, a pair of socks so fluffy they feel like walking on clouds. Each of them a little piece of joy, carefully chosen, lovingly kept... but never used.

If you peek into my cupboard, you’ll find them untouched, still nestled in their original packaging, waiting. Waiting for that perfect day, that elusive, grand moment when life feels like a scene from a beautifully crafted movie. When everything aligns, when the universe nods in approval, when I finally feel I’ve earned it.

I save my best perfume for a day when I feel truly happy. I save my comfiest socks for a winter morning that feels magical. I save my fancy candles for a night so perfect it deserves an aesthetic glow. I even bought a book I was dying to read but placed it on my bookshelf, waiting for a perfect summer day to finally dive into its pages. And that beautiful journal I received because I love journaling? Still wrapped, unopened—because somehow, I haven’t mustered the courage to tear the packaging and start filling its pages with my thoughts.

Then there are the gifts. The gorgeous silk scarf my sister got me? Sitting in a drawer, untouched. The set of expensive chocolates I bought for myself? Still in the fridge, waiting for a ‘worthy’ occasion (spoiler alert: they might expire first). The warmest sweater that makes me feel like I own the world? Never worn outside because I keep thinking, not today, but maybe one day.

But then, one day, I stumbled upon a quote that shook me: “Drink the coffee before it gets cold.” It hit me. All this time, I had been postponing joy. Hoarding happiness like it had an expiration date. What if the perfect day never arrives? What if I wake up one day and realize I never got to light my favorite candle because I was too busy waiting for ‘the best day’?

So, I did something radical. I opened my cupboard and made that day special—right then and there. I tore the packaging off my fuzzy socks and slipped them on. I lit the candle and watched it flicker. I spritzed on my most treasured perfume and let the scent wrap around me like a hug. I took that book off the shelf and started reading. I finally unwrapped my journal, put pen to paper, and let my words flow freely. I even broke into the fancy chocolates, savoring every bite like I was royalty.

And guess what? The sky didn’t break open with confetti, but my heart felt lighter. Happier. More present. Because the secret is, joy isn’t in the waiting. It’s in the using.

So here’s how you and I can make sure every single day is a ‘special day’—without waiting for life to give us permission:

• Romanticize the Ordinary: Make your daily coffee an event—use your fancy cup. Dress up even if you have nowhere to go. Play your favourite song while brushing your teeth. Add fairy lights to your work desk. Life feels better when you treat it like something worth celebrating.
• Use the ‘Nice’ Things: Now wear that dress or that watch you’re saving. Use the perfume on an ordinary Wednesday. Burn the candle, write with the pen, eat off the ‘good’ plates. You don’t need a reason. Today is reason enough.
• Celebrate Micro Moments: Big wins are great, but small joys make up life. A cozy blanket, a really good meme, the sound of rain, the smell of a new book—acknowledge them. Be grateful for them. Because when you look back, it’s these tiny things that make up the best days.
• Create a Daily Ritual You Love: Whether it’s a morning stretch, a sunset walk, or writing in a gratitude journal, make time for something that grounds you. A small ritual can turn an average day into something meaningful.
• Give Yourself Something to Look Forward To: Plan a mid-week treat. It could be a self- care evening, ordering from your favourite restaurant, or watching a movie you love. Having small joys sprinkled throughout your week makes every day feel a little more special.
• Laugh More—At Everything, Including Yourself : Not every moment will be glamorous, but adding humour to the ordinary makes life lighter. Drop sauce on your pristine white shirt? Call it abstract art. Spilled coffee on your book? Congratulations, it’s now vintage. The less seriously you take the imperfections, the more perfect your days become.

So here’s to us, sipping our coffee before it gets cold. To us, lighting the candle because today is as special as any ‘one day’ could be. To us, living now, fully, without waiting. Because every single day deserves to be the special day. And you? You deserve to enjoy it.

Now here’s your mission: Find that one thing you’ve been saving for a ‘perfect’ day—whether it’s a dress, a candle, or a fancy snack. Use it. Wear it. Light it. Eat it. Because today is special enough.

Nida Noor, BE Mechanical, currently works remotely with Aus based company.