✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: I Quit Caffeine and I Hate How Much Better I Feel

I regret to inform you that society has lied.

📖 3-Minute Story: I Quit Caffeine and I Hate How Much Better I Feel

How does something that looks so good end up being so bad for you???

Listen.

I did not want to write this post.

I just wanted to be proven wrong.

But it has been a month since I quit caffeine. And I regret to inform you that, yes, life is actually better with decaf.

I have been a latte fiend since I discovered Starbucks at the tender age of 15, and then started becoming an espresso snob at home ever since. My whole family commits to the caffeine bit: we have a history of brewing tea in the sunshine to get maximum caffeine intake, and coffee is a love language.

However, when I quit caffeine for the first time a few years ago doing a full reset on my health while reversing my autoimmune condition, I found that I had quite an iron deficiency that was being masked by (you guessed it!) my insane coffee intake. (1-2 French presses worth of coffee per day was normal for me.)

After being forced to go cold turkey on coffee for a few months, I returned to the caff — but this time, with just matcha lattes, AKA: coffee’s baby sister.

This was all fine and dandy, but after some time I slipped-and-fell back into the arms of Starbucks Sweet Cream Cold Brews and a smattering of flat whites and even straight espresso: the coffeeist of all coffees out there.

And while I’ve maintained my health even while drinking caffeine, over the past few months I started to notice a rise in anxiety and jitteriness. I was having severe afternoon slumps, and my productivity and energy levels were not looking good.

I knew it in my heart: it was time to quit caffeine — yes, all caffeine — for good.

As a fellow writer, you’ve probably been exposed to the Big Coffee Agenda: all those lovely stock photos of books and typewriters next to some epic latte art.

But despite coffee being a part of my personality, I knew I needed to quit if I wanted to have a more balanced day.

I just didn’t expect it to be SO much different.

Since quitting caffeine, here’s what I’ve experienced:

• More consistent daily energy. I have more energy for longer. Even though the mornings are a bit slower, I’m more energized. I drink peppermint tea or homemade ginger tea with lemon in the mornings if I need a bit of a decaf zing to start the day.

• No more afternoon slumps and higher productivity. I don’t feel drained in the afternoon anymore, which is pretty shocking. In my coffee era, I used to treat my afternoon slump with more caffeine — or I’d just find myself zoning out and unable to focus. Now, I’m productive all day and don’t feel like staring into the void when 3pm hits.

• It’s easier to stick to my workout schedule. I’ve found that it’s actually easier to stick with a workout schedule without caffeine: I’m more energized, so going to the gym is more appealing. Maybe I’ll become a morning workout person.

• Pretty much no more stress, anxiety, or jitteriness. Some things do still stress me out, but I’ve seen a huge decrease in anxiety that comes out of nowhere (i.e. did I leave the stove on/forget something important/what if [crazy catastrophic bad thing] happens?) My mood is a lot more stable and I feel so much more calm. Who knew?

• I save money (and time!) not going out of my way to find a caffeine fix. My daily fun drink habit cost anywhere from $5-$12 per day. That's $1,825-$4,380 per year 😱 Not to mention all the time it takes to go run out and track down coffee while traveling, or to grab supplies to make it at home. Instead, I can use this time and money for healthier drinks like green juices and smoothies.

• Better sleep. I’ve always slept pretty well, but I’ve been more rested since quitting caffeine.

If you’re considering quitting caffeine, welcome to the club! I’m glad you’re here. Just know that the first week will feel like a garbage fire, but just allow yourself time for more afternoon naps when possible. Get your coffee alternatives (such as herbal tea, ginger tea, or turmeric lattes!) ready for when your cravings strike, and promise yourself to at least make it a month without caffeine. Then, see how you feel.

I’ve made a ton of healthy changes over the past few years. Every time I’ve gotten rid of something like alcohol that I had never pictured removing from my life, I’ve seen a cascade of benefits flow into my life.

Part of our jobs as writers/creators/entrepreneurs include taking care of ourselves. I’d be curious to hear if you’ve given up something like caffeine or alcohol and how that has affected you in the comments.

More posts of mine I think you’ll love…

✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: 3 Tips for a Productive Sunday Reset for Writers

✍️ Desk of Amy Suto: I'm in Remission! Here's How I Healed. [Essay]

✨ 2 Things I’ve Loved This Week…

Each week, I highlight 2 of my favorite picks in the categories of travel gadgets, clean beauty, fashion, and more. Here is this week’s list:

1. Shoes: Blundstone Boots. When we were in Edinburgh last week, everybody and their mother was wearing a pair of Blundstone boots. I have the lace-up kind that has great ankle support, and they’re not only perfect for hiking, but they also are nice enough to wear out to dinner — perfect for nomads. They’re also waterproof, which is essential for rainy places like Edinburgh.

2. Drink: Peppermint Tea. I used to have pretty bad hormonal acne, but one of the many changes I made that helped me get clear skin was incorporating peppermint tea. It improves your skin by encouraging cell turnover and reducing sebum production. A combination of peppermint tea with a very minimal skincare routine (micellar water for cleansing, and a simple moisturizer and Korean sunscreen) allowed me to go makeup-free and have the clearest skin of my life. Just make sure to get an organic peppermint tea and stay away from bad brands that have glyphosate in them or other pesticides. Loose leaf is best!

✍️ 1 Journal Prompt

1. Mood Changers. Write about a day in the life of you and your changing moods. Is there anything that is affecting you positively or negatively that you could maybe remove or re-examine?

Feel free to share anything that came up for you in the comments:

💻 New Blog Posts on AmySuto.com

• Working Remotely in Edinburgh, UK (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)

• Working Remotely in Krakow, Poland (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)

• Working Remotely in Istanbul, Turkey (Digital Nomad Travel Guide)

📸 Photo of the Week: Peru #Throwback

A little over a year ago, I embarked on the 4-day, 26-mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — which inspired one of the stories in my new detective book The Nomad Detective: Volume I!

Follow me on Substack Notes and Instagram for more!

Sending creativity and good writing vibes your way,

-Amy

p.s. I create my newsletter voiceovers and my podcast episodes using the tool Wondercraft AI, a text-to-speech tool that speaks in YOUR voice. 🎙 Use my code SUTO50 or this link* to get started on Wondercraft! (paid/affiliate link)