JoeyJoelle

May 1st I completed my one month no coffee challenge. I know you’re probably wondering why. It’s a question I’ve been getting whenever I mention that I’m off the warm dose of morning fuel. Understandable, since I named myself a homemade barista who really took joy and pride in making all kinds of coffees. From iced coffees to boozy mochas to espresso martini’s.

Honestly it started off as a little “let’s see what happens” experiment. But after reaching 1 month, I was like…Well, why not stretch it even more? Especially since I noticed that my body was still craving the boost of energy coffee gave me, I wanted to extend the challenge for another month to see the actual impact going without coffee had on me. 

So let’s get into what going 60 days without coffee did for me.

Goodbye Jitters, Hello Inner Peace

One of the main reasons I took on this challenge  was because of the anxiety I would experience when I drank coffee. I am talking about intense overthinking about the smallest things, rapid heartbeat, shaking hands. Overall physical restlessness and emotional dysregulation.

That for for me was reason enough to take a break from the delicious coffees I used to enjoy in the mornings and during work. But as the weeks went by, all of the symptoms started to lessen. My thoughts slowed down. My breathing? Deeper. I wasn’t constantly on edge waiting for the next thing to go wrong. Without coffee revving up my nervous system, I could finally hear myself think. And for once, my thoughts weren’t spiraling – I was able to be more grounded and calm.

Learning to Listen to My Body

Not sure if anyone’s familiar with Popeye, as it’s quite an old cartoon. If you’re not familiar with it, here’s a quick summary: it’s a show based on a comic about a sailor man named –  you might have guessed it – Popeye, who would get superstrong by eating spinach and would be able to face anything or anyone. No matter how beaten down he was, give the man his spinach and it was a wrap!

You could say that coffee was becoming my spinach. I could be weary and tired, but then I’d have me a good espresso and I was up and running again. Through any tiredness or aches I was experiencing.

Now without it? My body finally got a chance to be heard. I learned when I actually needed rest versus when I was just being lazy. And the essence of taking breaks – for my physical as well as mental well-being. I felt more in tune with my natural energy levels, and surprise surprise, I didn’t crash mid-day as often as  I thought I would. I learned how to work with my body instead of ignoring the flashing fuel light and pushing it past its limits.

We gotta Stay Hydrated, Babes

If we were to be really honest with ourselves, most of the time we’re not even tired – we’re just dehydrated. But instead of replenishing ourselves like the plants we actually are, we dry ourselves out even more with caffeine. Unless you see yourself as a cactus… Drink your water.

I started replacing coffee with water and felt a whole lot fitter when I wake up. Even my skin is behaving better. Hydration really is the key.

Hustle Culture Is a Fucking Lie

Yeah, I said it. For some reason (*cough*cough* capitalism *cough*cough*) the world is still being built on productivity. We reward busyness and burnout. We praise people for grinding non-stop. The busier you are, the more we applaud them. And I say: our value shouldn’t be based on all that we’ve accomplished. And yet here, we are.

Coffee is basically the mascot for that lifestyle. But taking a step back made me realize… None of that aligns with how I want to live. I don’t want to power through life, anymore. Been there, done that and hasn’t worked out for me. When I’m doing something, I want to be present in it. I want to feel good, not just get things done. 

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After all, to quote the great Dalai Lama: “We are human beings. Not human doings.”

Coffee Addiction Is Way Too Normalized

I might be taking a controversial stance here, but can we talk about how normalized coffee addiction actually is? The amount of times I’ve heard people say, “I can’t function without my coffee,” or “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my first cup”- it’s wild. And I get it, I used to say the same things. But think about it: if we need something just to function at a basic level, isn’t that… concerning?

I mean if someone who’s addicted to weed or alcohol would say they need it, we’d be ready to send them to rehab. Granted, coffee might not be directly life threatening and therefore not a concern…But still, I’m pretty sure we are not supposed to depend on coffee.

What’s even crazier is how your body builds tolerance over time. One cup turns into two, turns into three, turns into you wondering why your eyelid’s twitching and you’re still exhausted. We shouldn’t be depending on coffee to survive the day, but for some strange reason, it’s just accepted. Normalized. Expected. I guess because everyone else is doing it, that somehow makes it less harmful, right?

Coffee Is Still My Moment of Joy

Also. this post is not about demonizing caffeine or telling you should stop. As always, this is simply to share my personal findings and to make you think. Especially as to when something is adding to your life versus when it’s running it.

Honestly, sixty days without coffee taught me more than I expected. It reminded me that I don’t have to be in hustle mode to be valuable. That rest is revolutionary. That my peace of mind is priceless. And that maybe, just maybe, slowing down is the key to finally catching up with myself.

Will I be indulging in a coffee anytime soon? Prolly not as I want to extend it 90 days. But when I do, best believe, I’ll make the most spectacular boozy coffee!

And if you want to kick back on the coffee, I would highly recommend the Fabulous app. Over the year this app has helped me build a lot of habits step by step, that would collectively become a routine. Oh, and in case you think this is an ad – I’m not getting paid to say this.