(Soon-to-be) Full of Beans!

THE AWAITED DAY HAS COME!!! It is a strange feeling to know that this strange event is almost over. Today, I woke up and felt oddly refreshed for the first time in ages. And the feeling persisted throughout the day. I felt no cravings, no lack of energy or tiredness. It was as though, on this very last day, that I have finally kicked the habit. OR! My body is responding to this near-end of exile and pumping out endorphins or something to make me feel extra good about the end being nigh.

So what are my conclusions, here at the end of the month? Well, I am far more addicted to coffee than I thought I was. It took me nearly a month to feel I had kicked the habit, and even then I am not so sure I did. Every drowsy pang of doubt I had passing by a cafe would seem to confirm this. I have noticed that, because habits die hard, that I was drinking a lot of other beverages in its place, which has meant I have been far more hydrated. So let's call that a draw.

Second? Coffee makes me HAPPY. Without it, and a total lack of sunlight, I have been remorseful at best and horridly depressed at the worst. Coffee is not a CURE to these feelings, but it sure as hell is a welcome salve. I cast about looking for other methods of coping, but none were to be found. I mean, I survived, but miserably. So we'll call that a loss.

Finally, I realize coffee (and my overconsumption of such) causes me to be overly anxious. What I perceived to be extra energy and vigour was more jumpiness than anything. I am aware now that I am much better able to relax and it has probably been easier for me to get to sleep and get a proper rest than it was a month ago. That is partly conjecture, but it seems to be true. So that's a win!

SO we have one draw, a loss, and a win. A massive draw. Unlike last month, when I determined unequivocally that having sugar was worse than NOT having sugar in my life. This month, I can't say if I am worse off with rather than without. But I feel the lesson here is moderation, rather than abolition. Coffee was not the problem, but rather my overconsumption of such. I was not an addict, but definitely an over-user. So my goal will be a slow reintegration.
 
And that was February! I have made preparations for the next month long challenge as well, buying some groceries to help me achieve it. Rules will be forthcoming tomorrow, when I officially roll out...the month of the vegan!