I’ve had a couple of relationships. I was with Dan for seven years while Lucas and I managed to stick it out for six weeks. My relationship with coffee has by far been my longest. We were a hot thing for 10 years.
It started as a reason to take extra breaks at work. “Be back in 10, just getting a latte”. Then it became a source of energy. I’d be setting up a live Breakfast event at 4am; not leaving the office until after dark that night. My one a day became two. Then it was three. Soon, I was having five coffees a day. If there was an IV drip available… You feel me, right?
My life functioned around my next latte fix. When I moved to Geelong my habit went to two a day. That’s two large lattes, extra strong (time management). It’d gone from the beverage I enjoyed while meeting up with friends to an actual lifeline. I drank coffee for the wrong reasons and it became an unhealthy relationship.
My foot surgery in July 2016 started a journey of rediscovery; a life without caffeine. At first, I couldn’t carry a take away cup AND walk on crutches. My hands were occupied and I was getting tired from hobbling to the printer. With a cast up to my knee and all my belonging in a backpack, the daily coffee took a backseat.
So, I set myself a challenge. For the first time in 10 years I would have one month without coffee. A caffeine detox. I was also so pumped full of Endone and blood thinners, the caffeine high wouldn’t have worked on my constant state of relaxed euphoria.
In the beginning, it was tough. The headaches were all consuming in and around my head. Without the suppressant of coffee, I was eating more (Goodbye skinny jeans, hello maxi dresses). I struggled taking my mind off the routine of having a hot beverage in my hand.
It was in the second month that I realised I had already reached my initial goal. So I changed it to three months. Then it became a six month goal. At Christmas I up’d it to a year. I was proud of my commitment. I took back control of my body.
July 19 will be my one-year anniversary. I’ll celebrate the unexpected positive outcomes that have come from the last 12 months. My skin is healthier (maybe as a result of being caffeine free or the increase of water to my diet), the dark circles under my eyes have reduced and I have more stored energy in the afternoon without the 4pm post coffee plummet.
Decision time. Do I mark the anniversary with a latte, that will result in a Tassie Devil cartoon spin? Or do I move forward and continue with a life without the bean? I’ll let you know July 20.
PS. I now have stocks in Chai Lattes across Geelong. From one addiction to another? Maybe.
Stampsy is the Music Director and Drive Announcer at K Rock in Geelong. Stampsy does her thing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @only1stampsy
