【Sunday Slow Time】days away – A seven-day getaway that makes escaping a way to face life.

Ms. Xu worked in Taipei’s real estate advertising industry for many years. The turning point came when she saw the rise of heritage homestays in Tainan and noticed young people starting to move back home—not fixated on higher salaries or societal expectations, but willing to go against the grain. This made her reflect on her own life. Although she learned a lot at the ad agency, the work often involved exaggeration and wasn’t truly hers. In the end, she decided to return to Taichung to pursue her dream of opening a café.

Although she returned to her hometown to start her business, Ms. Xu named the café “Seven Days Away.” She explained that society always teaches people to chase a better life, but never how to escape it. When overthinking gets you nowhere, why not step away from your routine? You could take time to reflect and gain clarity—or simply let go and do nothing at all. Either way, you’re bound to find unexpected inspiration.

Step inside, and you’ll find the kitchen and workspace bar on the left. The low counter lets you watch the action inside clearly, while the aroma of cooking freely fills the space. Ahead, part of the staircase has been removed to reveal a view of the backyard greenery. Look up, and you’ll notice the owner knocked out a large skylight in the ceiling, fitted with glass to let in light from the second-floor balcony. Inside the opening, bare steel beams are exposed, giving off a carefree vibe.

On the right wall, there’s a black-ink sketch of a deer—an unfinished painting. The artist isn’t famous, but they simply wanted their work to be seen. Ms. Xu admired this bold self-expression and gladly offered up the wall.

 

As for the furniture, it’s made up of mismatched vintage pieces and upcycled items, perfectly complementing the old building. Ms. Xu says the marks of time can’t be erased, and she loves the unique charm these old objects carry.