a month without caffeine - conclusion
In January, I wrote about doing a month without caffeine and gave an update one week in.
In the original post, I wrote about realizing I was using it to override exhaustion rather than addressing it. I had been relying on matcha, black tea, come coffee and caffeinated water flavours to get through poor sleep, university pressure, workouts, and social commitments, which ultimately led to burnout. So I decided to quit for a month, and also not allow any decaf products, since they also contain a lesser amount.
I experienced withdrawal headaches, nausea and changes to my hunger, but also my energy became steadier, my mood calmer, and my concentration more sustainable without the sharp spikes and crashes. I concluded with some lessons for when I resume, namely reserving caffeinated drinks for when it really matters, not consuming them after noon, reducing the caffeine intake (less strong matcha or black tea, less coffee shots etc.) and not using it to suppress hunger or other needs.
Now that the month has passed, I'm back to report that it continued like the first post ended; I feel very calm, emotions and situations are more manageable, focus and task-switching is less of an issue. Getting up and going to bed feel easier. What took the longest to normalize were the gastrointestinal effects; it became clear my body relied on the caffeine to do that business at the usual times, and at first, everything was very delayed and I dealt with constipation. But during the third week, it went back to normal.
I've had quite a few moments towards the end where I almost gave in, but I persisted. Sometimes I just really crave a specific taste or mouthfeel, and nothing can really replace matcha for me. It's such a comfort and reward. I'm also very, very used to having specific kind of beverages to study or work on something, so breaking that was difficult.
I think this reset was great. I found out I can just go without caffeine as well without a meaningful drop in productivity, and I genuinely feel happier, more rested and stable. Now I know it's still entirely optional and I can enjoy it for the taste or specific rituals to get ready :)
I like to think I have reset my palate with this too, which will come in handy for upcoming matcha reviews!
Now I will enjoy a mocha chocolate bar I saved for this!
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