No Sleep, Bed at 4AM and a Decaf Espresso Before an 8AM Class

"Good morning sir, what can I get for you to drink?"

"A shot of espresso, decaf, please."

"Decaf? Are you sure? It's so early."

"Yes, decaf, please."

For many of us, and by "us" I mean the college student with too much going on, the overworked business person grateful to still have a job, the hungover looking for a quick sobriety pairing with the greasy Denny's breakfast and the downright sleep-depreived, coffee is our friend. Our best friend even. We are in love with the simple Espresso and his cousins the Macchiato and Americano. We simply adore the java house staple Cappuccino and the wholesome Latte, and we cannot forget the chocolatier's favorite Mocha. This family of early morning friends are faithful and dependable in their cause to give some shine to our rise and a bit of pep in our steps far before the sun finds its way through our busy streets and sidewalks. It is the wunderkid of all-nighters and every three months new reasons are discovered as to why it's natural ingredients can be so very good for you. Still, with all that in mind I choose to abstain from her like a woman who is right for me, for all the wrong reasons.

Some say it takes anywhere from 21 to 30 days to break a habit. I've found that I have very few bad habits, save for my ability to procrastinate like none other in worth while projects that often require more time to do them than the actual work I was originally supposed to do. (This blog would be one of them) Yet, as the new year approached I was looking for a resolution of sorts to better myself in some way. Looking back on the year, I was rather content with it so I didn't see much to change, but I figured I would find something to challenge myself with, so, I selected 11 vices to live without, independently, for the next eleven months. The month of February, I went without coffee and energy drinks; two utter staples of my existence this past year.

As I write this, it is obvious that I survived, yet, at the same time it was a legitimately surprising challenge. The first of the month was a groggy morning filled with incoherent thoughts but a sense of stubbornness prevailed. This stubbornness held me strong throughout the first week, the second and well into the third. Whether by tenacity or bullheaded nature I survived the last part of the month with minimal difficultly as I found the key to getting through my day was not found in my caffeinated lovers, but in a decent amount of sleep and a balanced diet. Go figure.

This is the point wherein parlaying this revelation to my mom to which she replied, "Now, imagine that...".

So, this month (March) I have been reunited with my late-night friends once again while departing from normality once more in my pursuit of vegetarianism. So far it's been a bit of a challenge, but a worthwhile endeavor thus far. I'll have an update for you next week.