I am a drink lover. 

Nothing motivates me more than when I have one of my favorite drinks in hand, ready to take on the day. Of course, the type of drink depends on how I am feeling, but I always know driving to a coffee shop or a boba store to purchase a beverage immediately brightens my day. 

I was not always this way. In fact, when I was younger, the taste of tea and coffee was anything but appealing to my amateur taste buds. 

But, that all changed when 151 Coffee opened a franchise on Long Prairie Road in Flower Mound. Located in the same complex as my dance studio, my friends and I were more than excited to try the coffees. Initially, I was not blown away by the coffee, but as I visited more frequently and experimented with my various drink orders, I developed a craving for the beverages. 

A few years later, 151 Coffee opened another franchise just two minutes from Coppell High School. This was around the same time that I started high school, so having my favorite coffee shop in such close proximity was reassuring. To my sophomore self, walking into school with a drink in hand was the ultimate sign of coolness. 

Yes, I know, embarrassingly naïve. 

However, as 151 Coffee gained popularity and an increasing number of students frequented the shop, I felt it was important to keep up with the trend. When Swig opened its Coppell location in October, I had to try it to see if it was really as good as people said. If a new boba shop opened within 10 miles, I was making an effort to pay a visit. 

But recently, I had an epiphany. 

My parents have been telling me this for years, but I finally thought about the economic side effects of being a drink lover. It was not necessary for me to purchase a beverage every time I felt tired or unmotivated, just for me to be productive. 

Rather, learning to make drinks on my own would be more cost-effective and healthy. I always made coffee and chai at home when I wanted to, but I had one particular drink in mind. 

So, I bought ingredients and tools to make matcha at home. I watched multiple how-to videos online so that, when it came time for me to make a cup for myself, I was prepared. 

The first sip shocked me. 

I felt a sense of triumph like never before. The matcha tasted as good, if not better, than one I could purchase elsewhere. Taking the time to make one of my favorite drinks for myself, and succeeding, gave me more confidence and energy than I had ever felt before. 

Although it took a cup of homemade matcha to realize it, I have come to understand there is so much value in doing things for ourselves. There will always be easier or effortless solutions to every problem, but putting in the work to do something the right way results in a better outcome. Yes, spending the time and effort to make the matcha for myself is more difficult than driving to a cafe and ordering it, but the satisfaction coming with it is unmatched. 

Whether it be something as simple as making your bed in the morning or something as impactful as performing neurosurgery, take the time to do things with intention and effort. 

The whisk is worth the reward. 

Follow Sukirtha (@suki_muthiah) and @CHSCampusNews on X.