One thing about marriage...
I've heard it said before, and I'm really realizing it now. Marriage is like having a mirror raised up to your face. Suddenly you see lots of things you never saw before... In my case, I'm beginning to see many of my bad habits as things that not only effect me, but my husband as well. My horrible time-management skills, my coffee dependency, bad spending habits, my tendency to occassionally skip morning and/or evening prayers.
Of course, there are probably many many more that have not yet surfaced. But for now, I've got some self-improvement projects to tend to. Not solely for Job's sake, but for my sake as well. These are habits that I've known about for a long time, but never had the guts or strength to face them. I guess marriage is one of those paradoxes. For the first time you're confronted with your silly, hard-to-break habits... and yet, for the first time you have someone to help you along in your immediate, day to day life. Sure, I might not boot these habits completely, but at least I am now more aware now than ever.
One thing that I really am trying to kick, though, is my caffiene dependency. I guess you could also call it an addiction. But I use the word dependency first and foremost because a) I don't drink gallons of coffee a day, just 1 cup and b) I've noticed that I really trick myself into believing that I NEED coffee in order to get through my day. I NEED the caffiene, I NEED, NEED, NEED. I think it's this "need" that scares me the most. Honestly, I can't clearly recall the last time I went a day without some caffienated beverage. However, lately I've been noticing some physical side effects to drinking coffee. Headaches, heartburn, lightheadedness... not fun. Not to mention the financial setbacks! I can't just spend money willy-nilly anymore.
Anyway, that's sort of my deal right now. Thanks for reading! If you have any advice or encouragement about quitting coffee/caffiene (or anything!), I would enjoy hearing from you!
9 comments:
Katie, I think we should start a support group... "Caffeine Anonymous -- breaking the student late night studying coffee cycle when no longer a student". I'm in!
Did I tell you, Dad stopped drinking coffee recently? He is taking green tea in his thermos ( de-caf) - not only is green tea beneficial- it is at least something hot to drink each day.
Hey Laura!
Glad to see your comment! Yes, four years of downing coffee has not been good... I really need to "de-tox" now! The headaches are just proof that the de-tox is "working". I'm all for the support group idea! :D
Mom,
I didn't know dad stopped with coffee! Crazy! Somewhere along the line, though, you realize that the caffiene isn't even "helping" anymore... and you just need something hot to drink. Way to go Pops!
Caffeine withdrawal gives killer headaches! Even with only drinking caffinated coffee for a few days in a row, when I stop the headache is awful. Slow withdrawal may work best. Cut down one cup per week. That may make it easier. I don't know.
Katie,
When I wanted to totally get off the caffiene I mixed 1/2 decaf and 1/2 regular in the pot then slowly increased the ammount of decaf and reduced the ammount of regular until I was weened off. It took about 1.5 weeks. It also helped with all the other things that go along with a dependancy such as the smell of the coffee the taste, the hot drink in the morning.
Nancy
Philippa,Nancy, j.holder and Doug,
Thanks for your wonderful insights into the world of quitting coffee! Wow... I can't believe you drank that much coffee j. holder! 4 shots, let alone another gallon of coffee and dr. pepper! Wow... wow.
Nancy, that's a great idea about the decaf. Definetely a good option! I really like your idea too, Doug. So far I've gone the "tea" route, drinking black and green tea. Not bad! I like it.
Today however, I must confess, I had a latte from seattle's best. I was very tired today, and I needed something. Seattle Best proved to be a good, gentle choice as opposed to the potent, strong Italian espresso I've been downing, only to end up with horrible side effects. (I'm surrounded by coffee shops where I work... I literally have three different options at my fingertips. Can you see why I'm having a hard time quitting?).
Doug, thank you also for your wishes for Job and I. Things are going well so far, save the occassional spat :D
I second Nancy's great advice. That's exactly what I did, and I am now a proud recovered caffeine addict. I say it jokingly, but we should all realize that it is a substance that people actually become addicted to. Crazy, huh? Anyway...the weening works so well, because once you're immune to the effects of caffeine you hardly notice it when you tone it down. Your heart will thank you :D
ps...I need your phone number!
~Amy
I was told that marriage is about becoming a saint, kind of got into a discussion about this with someone.
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