(love this Nike Jacket my dad & step-mom gave me for my birthday)
Remember when I quit coffee? It lasted a month. And a few days.
To refresh your memories, I decided to quit caffeine altogether to see if it would help my afternoon mood swings, and just also, in general, to see if I could. You may also remember that I considered my love of coffee one of my “defining” characteristics, and I wondered what would happen if I no longer drank coffee. Who would I be?
Well, it turns out, quitting caffeine didn’t change much at all. I still sometimes had afternoon mood swings (but I think taking evening primrose oil has really helped that more than anything), but I was also falling asleep around noon every day while I was working. Literally.
I think I might have slept better, and I appreciated that I didn’t “need” coffee anymore to wake up, or be “me.” But I was kind of expecting to feel energized all day, and sort of like a different person. Unreasonable expectations, I know, but I wanted to feel something different, anything to convince me it was worth quitting coffee for. I never did. I never really wanted coffee either, though, and the deadline for my “month without coffee” came and went and I still hadn’t started drinking it again, until a week or so after. I just decided I was going to drink coffee again.
Now, I drink about the same amount I did before, maybe a little less, only before 9 AM, and I’m awake and alert all day. In the beginning, I think it did influence my sleep patterns a bit, but only insofar as if I had to wake up at 2 or 3 in the morning for the bathroom, I had a more difficult time falling back to sleep.
I’m glad I did it. It was hard, but not really. I made it out in my head to be much harder than it really was. Typical. But I really love coffee. And so I’m enjoying it again, I think without any significant negative health consequences. Now, I need to give up ALL added sugar and processed corn products (uh…chips & salsa is my downfall…). THAT will be hard. I think I’ll start January 1. *smiley face*
Some other updates:
I’m still standing to work, mostly, and my knees don’t hurt anymore. But I think that’s because of the extra-strength glucosamine I’m taking twice a day. It doesn’t hurt that I stand to work about half the time, I’m sure, but sometimes I miss my desk. When I do sit, I sit at the dining room table, which isn’t great for my posture. And I’m not sure we got the standing desk at exactly the right height for me, especially now that it’s cold and I want to wear my UGG boots…But it’ll do for now, and I’m glad I did it.
I’ve purchased a lot of new things lately:
From the James Perse sale | I stayed (just barely) under my $500 budget –
Black shirt dress | so good, I’m going to winterize it for you in an outfit this week
Charcoal cashmere t-shirt | also good, I sort of wish I’d gotten a size 3 though
Yosemite hoodie
Yosemite leggings
Yosemite tank | in a COLOR, actually!
From Shopbop – (with credits I earn)
Goldsign virtual jeans | I vow to never buy another brand of jeans EVER again. EVER. SO freaking good.
James Perse long sleeve tee
Vince tank top
From Everlane – (with credits Everlane so graciously added to my account)
Laptop case for myself and one for my sister
Gray Chunky knit sleeveless tunic | this was an afterthought, really, and mostly I just wanted to try it, not expecting to love it as much as I do. But it’s brilliant for wearing under my long black cardigan or my James Perse bomber jacket because IT DOESN’T HAVE SLEEVES!!! Why has it taken me so long to get on board with sleeveless sweaters??
Moss slouchy cashmere v-neck sweater | because I didn’t wear the black one I got recently, so I gave it to my sister (who’d hinted at how much she loved it) and ordered the Moss for myself
I’ve also gotten rid of a lot. I took a large box full of things for my sister during Thanksgiving, including a couple of my Everlane cashmere sweaters I just didn’t wear and knew she would appreciate. But I’m starting to feel a bit un-balanced and overwhelmed again. I know I’m not doing well enough keeping my wardrobe small. And I know I’m still shopping for emotional reasons more than practical ones.
I think I’m going to go on a no-buy for a while. We’ll see. I don’t normally “believe” in bans or deprivation of any kind (moderation!!!), but at this point, I think it will help me. But more on that later…
How was your Thanksgiving? What have you purchased lately? for yourself or for gifts?
Cute jeans! I’m sort of starting to think about a new pair of jeans. I think I want a skinny boyfriend. Or whatever that shape is called these days…..
I did not go into any stores the past few days. The only shopping I have done is on Amazon – books for my 1 yr old nephew and a few Kindle books for me for my upcoming vacation – an author I enjoy had his series on “Black Friday” specials so I stocked up.
But no clothing, no scarves, no bags (and that was HARD). Not doing Christmas gifts for most of my family & friends takes away a LOT of the temptation for me to shop this time of year. But ask me again the day after Christmas when I’m running through Target, buying all the decorations and wrapping paper at 70% off 🙂
(we leave on vacation tomorrow. I did not pack minimally though I did better than I thought I would do in terms of the size & number of bags….We’ll see in 2 weeks how I did with picking the clothing!)
Coffee is not the enemy! 🙂 Well, I guess it can be for some people. I’ve decided that for me, the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks (and I’m pretty sure my co-workers would agree). Like you, Grechen, I love the taste, and since I drink it black/sans sugar, it’s virtually a calorie-free vice. Lots of antioxidants too! After radically scaling back to a single cup a day and trying decaf (not worth it), I’ve compromised on three (big) cups a day — two before and one after I get to the office — and none after 11 a.m. I’m a terrible sleeper, but for reasons that I think don’t have anything to do with caffeine. When I worked a later shift and drove for my commute, I drank coffee all day and night (!!!) long and slept like a baby.
I’d LOVE to see you in the Everlane sleeveless turtleneck. I’ve been tempted. It looks amazing on the model.
Your standing desk looks really interesting .. I think I’d get a stool (lazy gal that I am).
I love (love), the cut of the Yosemite ribbed tank.
Thanksgiving was nice, but going to cut way back on the food. Next year I think I’ll roast two turkey breasts. A big o’l turkey is a bit much for the spouse and me.
Didn’t do much shopping as I forgot my wallet in San Diego and we were in the desert .. try that for controlling your spending! The spouse and I did go to Stein Mart where I found a really cute top and faux leather skirt that I’m planning to wear to my office holiday party. The spouse purchased the outfit for me since I was sans cash, license, credit cards, bank cards .. grrr.
Monica
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I love reading your blog! I just started about 4 or 5 months ago, but I really look forward to it daily! Thank you! I have a quick question: what size is your Nike fleece you have on in this post?
Gretchen
it’s a medium – sorry i forgot to mention that!!
thanks for your note 🙂
oh! what a great way to avoid shopping/spending!! although i would be a basket case without my wallet…
when it’s just leo and i, or we do thanksgiving at our house, we roast a chicken. works for us!
haha! i know it’s not the enemy, in fact, i think it’s benefits generally outweigh the negatives, if you don’t have any health issues that caffeine can exacerbate, that is…i drink it black also, wouldn’t have it any other way 😉
i worked at starbucks for a long time and was able to drink coffee all day, whenever, and still sleep, but once i stopped, i can’t drink any caffeine after noon or i have serious trouble sleeping.
i have an outfit coming up with the everlane turtleneck 🙂
oh, who’s the author you love? i got one kindle book on black friday, one about the dust bowl, and that’s it. i’m sort of picky/snoby about books and i have to do a lot of research before i choose one by a new author, so i tend to stick to what i know!!
Very interested in you modeling/commenting on the Everlane Moss sweater since I am considering it while being afraid of just finding it “meh”…
I love the sleeveless sweater, but they are on the list of things I can no longer buy. Every time I do, I just end up cold. I didn’t go out black friday, but did get a couple of things online, although they haven’t arrived yet. I desperately need some new jeans, but hate to go shopping and am terrified of buying them online. I finally ordered some ag jeans from nordstrom, since I already have a pair by that brand and know my size. I also ordered a cashmere sweater from j. crew that I think will become a staple.
Back at DFW for my return flight from Thanksgiving–did not go to the James Perse store during my last lengthy layover, probably for the best. 😉
I was visiting with my mom, who took me shopping–that doesn’t count, right?
I thought you’d like the Everlane turtleneck–can’t wait to see your outfit!
The weekend sales were a set back for me. After getting through the October Friends and Family sales fairly unscathed, I thought I was “cured” (even short term) of the shopping bug – but a case of stomach flu and therefore recovery with plenty of couch time left me with too much time on my hands shopping-wise. I guess I’ll see what damage is done after getting everything and seeing if I love it. I’ll report back later on what I actually keep.
PS Definitely NOT cured….
Ha! No. Of course that doesn’t count.
I got the turtleneck because of your comment about it. I was intrigued….I love it actually. Wore it on thanksgiving and then another time after that
Caffeine is used in a more productive way by the body if taken with a simple carb and fat, i,e., a little cream and sugar or with a food containing those macronutrients. Sugar isn’t evil, especially when consumed in fruits. Fruits and starches fuel the body and in of themselves do not lead to high blood sugar and diabetes. If the body is functioning well and at high speed, carbs are needed to keep it going.. If the body is not functioning well, carbs can be used to stoke the flames and get the body into a production mode. People who have done low carb may not have the enzymes to process carbs so it may seem carbs are problematic at first. This is only because the body needs to rebuild the molecules in order to process the carbs. Or if one has not been low carbing and has a difficult time with sugar, it could be because of a damage organ system such as the liver though the damage is usually not done by too much sugar or other carbs. There are peoples of the earth that subsist mostly on things like honey or fruit and those people are very healthy. A new mega study just came out evaluating which diet is best – basically it says: eat primarily whole foods (and when eating animals – eat the connective tissue also because it is there you will find amino acids not found in muscle meat) – eat whole foods, mostly plants in the form of vegetables and fruits.
Can’t wait to see the Goldsign jeans on you! I wore mine to threads and would totally get this pair if I wasn’t pregnant. I did some shopping, mainly to snag a few things for an upcoming trip to Tulum (bathing suits, etc.). Proud of myself that I stayed away from the “final sale” sales. 🙂
they are SO GOOD. outfit coming today 🙂
and good for you for staying away from final sale. i don’t do final sale unless it’s JP, but even then i do sometimes still have regrets…