For the month of February, I decided to finally take a break from caffeine. I usually have one coffee daily as part of my morning ritual. I prefer kombucha over soda. Pressed juice over sweet tea usually. So it wasn’t like I was addicted to caffeine. Essentially, I wanted to shift from feeling dependent on caffeine to get me through long days with my toddler. I wanted to pull energy out from within, from a balanced diet & from better sleep. Even with February being a shorter month, it felt so long without the comfort of caffeine. But mama, we made it!
Speaking of mama, she’s the one who introduced me to coffee. I grew up watching her make coffee daily with a classic drip machine, use Coffee Mate creamer, and choose her mug of the day. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed her go a day without her morning cup. I fondly miss her coffee scented kisses before dropping us off at school. Actually, when she came to surprise visit us recently, she still faintly smelled like coffee at 4 in the afternoon.
When I was 15, I had the life-changing opportunity to travel to northern Italy with my school. That’s when I felt like I got to have real coffee. I remember making the mistake of ordering an Americano and wanting to pass away it was so strong. I also remember having the best breakfasts with my host family who showed me how good it was to combine coffee and hot cocoa mix.
At some point in college, I got really interested in the history of coffee and the artistry of making it. If you don’t know, coffee beans are essentially the dried & roasted seed of the fruit from the coffee bush. The origins of coffee started in Ethiopia and from there it spread throughout Europe and over to the US! It’s really fascinating researching formally in books and informally through taste tests about flavor profiles based on where beans were grown, how they are roasted and the best method for preparing a drink. It’s cool to figure out how to froth non-dairy milk and what foods to pair coffee with. I could go on and on about coffee honestly. If you want me to, let’s have a coffee date!
Preparing coffee is a special ritual to me. One where I can be fully immersed in the present moment. It fits into my daily appreciation practice; mindful eating. I can express deep appreciation for everything between the rain to multigenerational wisdom passed down between cultivators that went into my coffee. I find it’s best to sip on a cup, seated over time, than on the go in a thermos. Finally, adding spent coffee grinds to a compost bin is my favorite way to continue the life cycle in a loving way.
As a push gift, I asked for a nespresso machine and aeroccino so that coffee making would be easier with a baby. I LOVE IT. But even with the ease, I often couldn’t enjoy my drink when I’m always rushing between wake windows. Drinking room temp abandoned coffee became a way to cope with sleep deprivation. I struggled to figure out if I even liked coffee anymore, especially after not liking it while I was pregnant.
I felt called to fast for February. Letting go of caffeine was easier to commit to when I perceived it this way. Caffeine withdrawal is not for the weak. Relying on my spiritual practices kept me going. You can literally feel like you have the flu for a few days when you’re in caffeine withdrawal. But after a week, I wasn’t experiencing any more symptoms. I felt a different kind of clarity and energy than before. I still wanted my morning ritual so I opted to have decaf coffee with cordyceps mushroom tincture. That worked wonderfully until I realized I only enjoyed (well, could enjoy) drinking coffee with my husband. Which has led me to drinking caffeine far more intentionally.
I now only want to have coffee if I can make and savor it. I only want a soda if we’re eating out. I only want sweet tea if we have guests over. I’m much happier now that I’m more mindful and in control of my caffeine intake. Finding balance and harmony in all areas of my life is ultimate mission. Being under the influence of any substance isn’t how I want to move through this life. I want my son to know that he can learn to be strong-willed like his mama. My willpower is my superpower. And for that, I am grateful.
My perfect coffee drink:
Lightly roasted beans. Pistachio and vanilla syrups. Almond milk. Mushroom tincture. Cappuccino style.
~~~
Q&As:
What’s your go to caffeine drink?
Have you ever experienced caffeine withdrawal?
What’s your favorite local coffee shop?
Mine is Atlas Coffee in Charlottesville, VA
Email me your answers at withcarrington@gmail.com or comment on Substack :)
Hi there. I have cut back quite a bit on caffeine to improve my sleep pattern. I don't drink soda, but I love coffee and drink it most weekday mornings before work. I work from home. I keep it simple, I combine a spoonful of instant folgers with 3/4 cup of boiling water, 2 spoonfuls of Swiss miss milk chocolate cocoa powder, a splash of Califia almond milk and a splash of international delight hazelnut creamer. Now that I've typed that it doesn't sound simple at all. LOL. Its yummy. My favorite spot to get a coffee drink when I'm out and about is MilkLab in Durham, NC. I get the Choco Dalgona Milk Cap Latte. It's served cold. It's almost a dessert in a cup. I don't have them often so when I do it's a real treat.
Matcha is my go-to! I make it at home more often than I get it out. But I also love London Fogs (with lavender if I can get it) or Masala Chai. I went caffeine free for several months a few years ago, and I felt great but I really really missed the joy of my tea. Decaf tea isn’t the same, and I only like a few herbals. But I have to be SO careful with caffeine intake. So whatever I have for the day, I try to make sure I really love it.