Finally, Living Decaffeinated

Each morning, I cycled through different drinks—starting with tea, moving to coffee, then matcha, then matcha lattes, and eventually back to coffee. Occasionally, I tried decaffeinated options, but usually ended up with one coffee or espresso to start my day.

Then, last October, I had completely skipped my usual caffeine intake one morning. I began my days with decaffeinated beverages—water, tea, or other unsweetened drinks—and sampled various of decaffeinated coffees, either instant or coffee bean based. Instead of quitting abruptly, I eased into drinking only one regular coffee in the morning. I researched the process of not drinking any coffee anymore and gradually reduced my caffeine by skipping my usual afternoon coffee until I no longer had any throughout the day.

At first, this shift was challenging for a few days. I experienced headaches and odd sensations, as my body seemed to wonder, 'What's happening? Where's the coffee?' When I went out, I found it a bit awkward to ask for decaffeinated coffee or other milk options, but ultimately, these requests weren’t a problem.

After a few weeks, my body had completely adjusted. I now find it very beneficial to only drink decaffeinated coffee—my blood pressure and pulse are lower, I sleep better, I am no longer hungry after a decaffeinated espresso or cappuccino, and my body has adjusted to a healthier rhythm. This change supports my work, my sleep, and a more balanced lifestyle.