For the first 30 years of my life, I didn't consume caffeine. However, that changed when I began working on my Ph.D. dissertation at local coffee shops, where the caffeine boost from multiple lattes helped my productivity. Unfortunately, this led to dependence and anxiety from high caffeine intake. After experiencing withdrawal symptoms from skipping my usual coffee before a blood test, I realized the need to change my habits. Initially, quitting caffeine cold turkey was challenging, but I wasn't ready to give up coffee entirely. I gradually transitioned from sweetened, creamy lattes to black coffee. This slow weaning process allowed me to adjust without severe withdrawal effects. Eventually, I also reduced my caffeine intake by mixing regular coffee with decaf until I switched to 100% decaf. Today, I enjoy the ritual of morning coffee, now decaf, which signals the start of my productive day without the negative side effects of caffeine dependence. This new routine supports my intermittent fasting and makes medical tests hassle-free, saving me money and keeping me grounded.
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