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#monthlydose of No Coffee!

This month’s challenge was slightly different than the others.

Drum roll please….

I had a #monthlydose of No Coffee! I didn't do “no caffeine” - because I'm not a complete psycho. I wanted to specifically cut down on coffee because I feel like it's a mental addiction (maybe physical too??). 

Also, since joining the work force, I’ve needed my morning coffee to lure me out of bed. No coffee, no wakey. And there have been times where I've had a 2-3 cups a day to get through busy days. It’s been a crutch I lean on for quick energy, but I know that there are other, healthier ways to get that fix. (Let me know all of your ideas - I’ve heard lemon water!?). 🍋 I also was looking back at college pictures (I didn't drink coffee until after I graduated college), and my teeth were so white. Don't get me wrong, I still brush my teeth the normal amount that you’re supposed to, but it has stained them and messed with my pH level (per my dentist). Further, most people I know that have perfect pearly whites don't drink coffee at all, so I was really motivated to see if it would help me too! 😁

So what were my ground rules? The goal was to not need caffeine in the mornings to get going. I allowed myself 1 coffee per week because it was free (thanks T-Mobile!), and I don’t typically drink sodas (pops?), so that wasn’t an issue.

Week 1, the first thing I noticed was a change in my bathroom schedule and morning routine. But overall, going without coffee wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Woohoo!

Week 2, I had caffeine headaches in the afternoon on 2 days. This also made me appreciate my weekly coffee so much more and has kind of made me a coffee snob. Oops. If I'm going to have coffee rarely, you better believe I'll be splurging on good espresso! The Keurig just isn't cutting it anymore. This week I also felt like I could tell a difference in my teeth color, but I was also feeling groggier in the mornings. :(

Week 3, I started getting the hang of it and started to think that 1-2 espressos a week in the future may be my sweet spot.

Week 4 had several rough days (PMS and headaches which I couldn't rely on caffeine for), but I’m glad I stuck it out and have even kept up this no coffee schedule for the first week of May!

This month seemed impossible - even though it's such a small challenge. I’ve used that liquid gold as motivation to start my day for a decade! I found that I did need a pick me up and did have tea most days around 10am. I really wanted to change my habits (hence the whole point of #monthlydoses), but I accidentally became a coffee snob instead. 💁 I also think drinking less caffeine helps with anxiety, so that's something to consider if any of you face anxiety! 
______________________________________________________________________

It turns out that going without coffee isn’t impossible, though 99% of functioning adults that I know would say it is. As is the theme of most of my monthly challenges, the key is moderation. I don't really need coffee every day, my smile is a little whiter, and I can spoil myself with good coffee every now and then! ⛾

Have you tried anything new lately? I’d love to hear about it!
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