I Don’t Do Caffeine (Anymore)
How giving up caffeine has (un)changed my life
Giving up all caffeine has been an amazing wake-up call for me. Literally, because now I wake up naturally energetic and full of positivity at 6 a.m. Every day is a fresh natural start where my brain and heart are no longer doing caffeine-fueled aerobics.
How did I not know about this caffeine-free thing sooner?!
Physically, I still have heart palpitations, sometimes. But at least I know they come from my own natural anxiety, not that brought on by a second latte (or third). And my mood swings? What mood swings?!! My personality has completely transformed without caffeine. Now, I’m so calm and cool and can handle almost ANYTHING.
These days, when I get up in the morning, I have enough energy to go for a run…I don’t, but at least I know I could. Instead, I prefer the centering stillness of a 1-hour morning meditation. Or, you know, a 5-minute quick one.
Naturally, I still get tired. But at least I’m no longer drowning myself in caffeine, trying to pull off an 11-hour workday, and telling myself (and maybe others) that I’m superhuman. Now, I simply embrace being tired and curl up and take a mandatory cat nap, which isn’t easy when at work or out in the city.
How else has being caffeine-free changed my life?
- My skin has never looked healthier or more flawless. Even the wrinkles are gone!
- I can sleep only five hours a day, work 10 hours, take two quick naps, and still have enough energy to workout, cook a gourmet meal, and throw a dinner party. (Maybe I should also start a lifestyle blog…)
- I’ve discovered I REALLY love cleaning — it takes the edge off all that extra energy.
- I can drink more glasses of wine at night yet wake up feeling refreshed and not hungover the next morning.
- I suddenly have all this fantastic muscle tone without even really working out to earn it. Must be all that cleaning!
- My caffeine-induced brain fog has cleared up which means I’m not only thinking more clearly and writing more, but I’ve also discovered I’m fluent in Spanish AND French.
It really has been a magical shift to start each day in this natural, raw, stimulant-free way. Perhaps if I had given up caffeine sooner, I would have had an entirely different life….Oops, let’s not go down that road.
I’m so happy I’ve woken up to the new me. Every day, I get up feeling like a warrior, a goddess. It’s like I’m 22 years old again! But, you know, with more wisdom and money.
*Author’s Note: Caffeine withdrawal can also cause a natural spike in satire.
