coffee with... clara

Introducing the "coffee with" series. Clara from Hmm That's Interesting chats ambition, creativity, and the comfort of long walks (coffee in hand).

introducing coffee with…

I’ve long considered earlybird a standing coffee date between friends. And as I’ve recently completed two full years writing the newsletter, it’s time to slide a mug across the table to invite some new voices to join the conversation.

I think a lot about life in terms of different buckets that fill our cups; delight in the everyday. exploration into the new, perspective that grounds us, and connection that carries us forward.

Consider “Coffee with….” a slow morning in good company — conversations with people whose curiosity, craft and perspective inspire me, and whose words linger in my mind long after the last sip.

cheers,

as a reminder: in celebration of two years of earlybird, I’m currently offering 30% off annual plans, forever (typically $56/year, discounted down to $39/year).

This sale is live through 11/1/2025, and can be redeemed at the link below:

I’m thrilled to welcome our first coffee with… guest: Clara

The essayist behind Hmm That's Interesting, Clara is a someone I regularly look to for book and movie recommendations, travel inspiration, and well reasoned cultural commentary (a few of my favorites: on Ms. Rachel, Taylor Swift, and being targeted with weight loss ads on IG). Her incomparable blend of depth and humor make even a PR satire video on Tiktok feel like a masterclass in modern observation.

I frequently point to Clara’s writing in the monthly digest, and she immediately came to mind as someone I would want to have a long chat and a good coffee with for this series.

Without further ado, let’s chat with Clara!

Name: Clara

Title / role: Writer

Where are you answering from today? Barcelona

Where can readers find you?

• Website: www.colormeloverly.com

• Social Handles @colormeloverly everywhere

How would you describe yourself in one sentence? Content creator turned essayist.

What’s your go-to coffee order?

In the last few years, I’ve gotten used to americanos, mostly because outside of the U.S., batch brew is not much of a thing, but americanos are as close as I can get to a drip coffee. I love the taste of coffee, but more than that I love holding a cup of coffee, so I treasure a mug the size of my face. -editors note: RT.

What’s something you read, watched or listened to recently that stuck with you?

I recently watched the Norwegian film Loveable (Elskling in the original Norwegian). It was released last year, but it just landed in theaters in the last few weeks in Spain. I saw it by myself in the cinema, and it was such a beautiful, soft, endearing story that made me think about the way our unattended emotional baggage (for lack of a better word!) subconsciously impacts our relationships. For me, Loveable fell somewhere in between the style and substance of Anatomy of a Fall and The Worst Person in the World, two films that I adored. Killer soundtrack, too.

What’s a small ritual or habit that brings you joy?

Sorry to be a stereotype, but I’ve been doing morning pages for over ten years now. I don’t always do three pages, more often I stick to two, but the habit of uninterrupted journaling in the morning while sipping on my first [two] cup[s] of coffee is unequivocally one of the best things in my life. Not only because putting pen to paper and directly acknowledging the thoughts that would otherwise stick to the back of my head is a terribly positive development, but also because I love a retrospective study, and I will often pick up a journal (I write on the thin Moleskins) from years ago and spend a few minutes reading through my past self’s life. My conclusion, usually: time really is a circle.

What’s a product or object that made your daily life better?

A few years ago, I think for my birthday, my mom got me this phone stand that is also a speaker, and I didn’t think much of it at first but almost immediately, I started to use it every single day--to listen to music, of course, but also as a place to put my phone (instead of resting it against a mug or a table lamp) while I’m facetiming friends and family, which I also do on a daily basis. Simple, but honestly life-changing in its utility.

What’s a book, podcast or article you keep recommending?

I used to listen to podcasts alllll the time before becoming somewhat overwhelmed. Still, over the last few months, I’ve recommended Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri’s podcast If Books Could Kill to multiple people. Reviews of airport books that have shaped/damaged discourse/culture, the podcast is a rare combination of hilarious and informative. The episode I’ve been recommending, for Reasons, is the one on J.D. Vance’s grotesque (if I may) memoir Hillbilly Elegy.

What’s your current most used emoji?

The resignedly smiling face melting into a puddle. Let’s not spend too much time thinking about why that might be.

🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

What is a small luxury you won’t apologize for?

I spent a while thinking about this, because for a while I couldn’t really come up with anything. I actually live a pretty simply life, which I love. But what I decided on, and I don’t know if this is really a luxury or a necessity, is a near-daily coffee/drink/walk with a friend. I always feel more rooted after spending time with someone I care about. Doesn’t really matter what we do or talk about.

What is something you’re curious about right now?

So many things! I’m basically the wikipedia boyfriend of my friend group. A few weeks ago I had a string of really strange dreams and I spent a really long time researching Carl Jung and Alfred Adler. No conclusion was reached in re my dreams but I did learn a lot about synchronicity and family constellations. Just girly things, etc.

What is your favorite discovery this year?

I’ve been reading more South American literature this year, which I’m really happy about. I started the year with Clarice Lispector’s Agua Viva and it was probably life-changing. I’ve read several more of her books. More recently, I’ve read my first Samanta Schweblin (El buen mal, translated in English as Good and Evil and Other Stories) and I can see myself becoming a Schweblin completionist.

What is an experience you’d recommend to others?

Traveling alone for a bit. You’ll either love it or realize how much you appreciate traveling with others. Either way, you’ll learn something about yourself.

What is your favorite way to get out of your comfort zone?

Saying yes to plans. I used to be very lazy (maybe even fearful, at times) about attending events, but in the last couple of years I’ve been abandoning my introverted nature to some degree, and I’m sorry to say that, unfortunately, it has made my life happier, better, and fuller. No one’s more upset about it than me.

What is a risk you’re glad you took?

Leaving my corporate job. :)

What is a perspective that has shifted for you in the last year?

Ambition. I’ve become more interested in living well and happily than in reaching very specific goals at any cost, which for a long time was my attitude regarding success. It often eclipsed my physical and mental well-being. So. I’m still trying to do the work that makes me a better writer, a better reader, a better creative ... but I’m putting less pressure on myself. It’s weird and occasionally guilt-inducing, but it’s working

What is a piece of advice you return to often?

Pretty sure this comes from a TikTok comment, but “the time will pass anyway” remains a top tier piece of advice for me. The fact that you shouldn’t be scared of goals and dreams and plans that will take years to come to fruition because, well, the time will pass anyway. It’s a freeing little realization.

What helps you stay grounded?

Sorry to come back to this again and again, but my long walks.

What would your younger self be surprised to know about you?

Probably that I’m writing for a living. She’d be proud, though.

How do you nurture connection with yourself?

I try going to the movies by myself once a week. It’s one of my favorite things to do alone, because finding someone who matches your cinema energy is hard (but when you do, my god, what a fucking treat). I recently saw Loveable (2024), a Norwegian film that, as per usual, made me cry.

Who do you look to for inspiration? Who or what is sparking your creativity right now?

Sally Rooney is still my go-to, honestly. I’m constantly re-reading Intermezzo, and I love her staunch commitment to her sense of morality.

What is a recent conversation you can’t stop thinking about?

My best friend and I facetime approximately seventeen times a day and give each other both horrendous and incredible advice. She’s usually the last person I’ve talked to and as such, our conversations are always replaying in my head. I want to call it an internal monologue, but really it’s more of a dialogue.

Is there a tradition or ritual you cherish?

Coffee. As much coffee as I can consume, always.

If you could have coffee with anyone (no rules!) who would it be?

My grandmother. I miss her all the time.

that’s our coffee chat for today — I hope this chat leaves you as inspired as I felt putting it together. Conversations like this one — cozy and thought provoking- are what I want coffee with.. to be about.

I so appreciate Clara’s perspective on ambition, her curiosity and discipline around her own creative practice, and the incredibly diverse media and books that she seeks out and enjoys. As a writer who deeply admires her work, it’s a perfect reminder to slow down and evaluate my own creative practices and sources of inspiration.

if you enjoyed this first coffee with…, would love to hear from you:

☕️ what part of Clara’s perspective resonated most with you?

🐣 who would you love to see pull up a seat next time?

✨ what’s one small ritual keeping *you* anchored lately?

as a reminder→ You can find Clara’s work at colormeloverly.com and follow her on TikTok and Instagram at @colormeloverly.