Lent 2012: My Time Away from Coffee

Hello readers! Another year of Lent come and gone. In the tradition of giving up something I hold "near and dear," for Lent (like chocolate, facebook, and alcohol), I gave up coffee this time around. Why did I do coffee? Well, unlike the past, I gave up something I loved, but not something I was really "addicted" to... or so I thought.

Giving up coffee turned out to be tougher than expected (like everything you give up). I never thought of my self as really "addicted" to it, since the caffeine never really did much for me, but after giving it up for a couple days, I realized that there was a buzz at work that kept me going though the morning. I'm wondering how I'll feel Monday morning after that first cup after a six week sabbatical...

Anyway, I would usually enjoy a cup in the morning at work, and maybe go to Starbucks once during the weekend, and that would be it... Mostly because I enjoyed the coffee, not needed it. I enjoy the flavor, the temperature (hot or cold), and the smell. I always saw it as a treat vs. a necessity. So, giving up a treat was easier than something I would need, but it was still something I deprived myself that made me happy. I'm sure there were mornings in the office when I was grumpier (and more tired) than usual. Also sure there were car rides and coffee shop encounters when I could have been more pleasant. So for those of you who might have endured a "less than pleasant Clint", I apologize.

Trying to substitute a favorite treat is never easy, and coffee was no exception. At work, I basically went "cold turkey". I drank green tea, but I did that after my morning coffee anyway, so no real change there. I probably drank more water at work, but not much. During the week, didn't do much subbing there either. On long car rides to Pueblo, I would consider getting a smoothie or some other drink, but, of course, it didn't bring me the same joy. Carolyn and I like to hang out at coffee shops, and officially this is tough without coffee. I would get a cider or green tea frappuccino depending on the weather, but it could never be the same. I love our dates at the coffee shop, and am so excited for them to be normal again.

Unlike previous years, I don't think that giving up coffee is going to change much post Lent. Like I said, I never saw coffee as an addiction or something I needed, just something I enjoyed. Maybe I won't have it EVERY morning, but I find that hard to believe. Besides, coffee's not all bad for you (just like beer).

So there you go, my thought on my Lent experience for 2012. Not as interesting as past years, but hey, that's the way it goes. I think I've already decided on 2013's sacrifice... TV... completely... No video games, no Blu Rays/DVDs, no nothing... Still haven't decided if the movie theater will be acceptable, or other factors I may have missed, but this will be a doozie, and rightfully so after a "easier" year. Now if you'll excuse me, I need a cup of coffee.