2.5 months caffeine free

I just hit my 2.5-month mark. To set the scene, this is my fourth time quitting. But given how things are going, I can’t imagine ever drinking caffeine again.

My energy levels are great, and I’m less anxious and irritable. I still have insomnia some nights, waking up from 2-4 a.m. for no apparent reason, but this seems to be improving as well, albeit slowly.

Why has this time been better than the previous three? Two main reasons: I tapered over the course of 4+ weeks, and I drink a ridiculous amount of water throughout the day. Working out and sleeping well help, but honestly, nothing has given me more daytime energy than drinking a ton of water.

What have I learned? Everyone is different. I love this community for the inspiration and support—it’s helped me get through a lot of tough days/weeks, and I’m very thankful for that.

That said, quitting caffeine has not been the panacea that this subreddit often describes. I didn’t immediately gain more confidence around women, my anxiety didn’t drop by over 90%, and I’m not cheerful 24/7. And that’s okay. Life is filled with ups and downs.

I did, however, sleep more fully and become less irritable. With that extra sleep and without the unnatural bursts of energy associated with caffeine, my life slowed down. I became less reactive to situations. My mind still races from time to time, but I’m able to recognize it more quickly before it spirals out of control. Overall, I feel more in control of my emotions and my day.

Personally, my anxiety stems from childhood trauma, for which I’ve been in and out of therapy my entire life, including both talk therapy and trauma therapy. Both were helpful to an extent, but the benefits were fleeting.

Fortunately, I found my solution in attachment theory and its related meditations. I’m not going to delve further into this, as it’s not the point of this post.

The point is we’re all different. For some, caffeine is the source of all our problems, and for others, it’s just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Either way, look at quitting caffeine as one tool in your toolbox and a potentially necessary step in your healing journey. We’re all in this together. Cheers, friends.