The Chains that Bind Us

Like this little bunny (photo by Russell Lindsay) I have been an innocent little creature, trapped in a situation that has been pulling me in all directions.

Addiction to caffeine.

Red bulls, Rockstars, Diet Coke (my favorite), the occasional Diet Dr. Pepper (it's sweeter and has an after-taste that's delightful), Starbucks, the better quality and less commercialized Coffee Bean, diner coffee sweetened with honey. Oh, my. This list is getting ridiculous!

So as of yesterday, November 17th at 12:47pm I changed my status update on Facebook to say "Is considering doing what Chris has decided to do and give up Diet Coke... considering." About 10 minutes before I had poured the last of my now room temperature soda down my throat and chunked the can in the recycling bin around the corner from my cubicle.

Had I known that the last gulp of DC was really going to be my last, I would have relished in the moment a little more.

But now that I think of it, cold turkey has always worked best for me in these situations. If I think too long on something or worry about, okay, when is that last XYZ going to take place, then I can figure out a way to procrastinate.

I gave up caffeine all-together when I was a senior in high school. I didn't have but maybe 10 or so caffeine enhanced drinks in approximately 8 years. But then I overheard someone say, "oh, caffeine isn't really that bad for you." Then another person said, "well, I just have one soda a day, that's not going to do any harm." And yet one more devil on my shoulder said, "Caffeine is actually good for you. It makes you aware and stimulates your brain." So I succumbed. I slowly stepped back into that pond of fake sugar and hyperactive liquid.

But before I knew it I was doing the freestyle stroke across the waters of caffeine bliss.

And now no more.

I've been trying to cut out the fake sugars anyway. But it doesn't help to have three or sometimes four sodas a day. So I'm breaking the chains and letting go of the soda. I'm going to cut back the caffeine, instead relying on some satisfying iced tea or hot green tea.

We'll see how this goes. I'm pretty sure I can do it.

I'll keep you updated though...