Avoid sophistication that diminishes your enjoyment.
I came across this observation by JeremyYYC from all the way back in 2022 three years later.
It resonated hard since I had this experience with coffee. When I joined Mozilla in 2014, I found myself part of a team that collectively was really into coffee. They not only knew about the best spots to get coffee, but also all the intricacies of making coffee. From the perfect temperature of the water to the different properties of certain beans at various ground sizes, they were very into the subject.
I adapted to that mindset quickly, but it never really clicked for me. As I learned more and more about coffee, it became harder and harder to enjoy coffee. While I previously found Starbucks overpriced but OK, I now found it overpriced and gross. Finding a cup of coffee in the morning when in a trip became a FOMO-filled half-day research exercise.
I eventually made the active decision to not be a “coffee person”. I drink it, I enjoy it, and if I don’t enjoy it I don’t drink it. Starbucks is still overpriced, but it will do in a pinch. The only coffee that I continue to refuse to drink now is from Dunkin Donuts. I tried it twice and it made me gag both times. Otherwise, if it’s coffee, it’s probably fine.