How I Quit Drinking Coffee and the Benefits I’ve Experienced
Today marks 30 days since I quit coffee.
This past month has felt like a real test.
I didn’t even start drinking coffee until my early twenties—around 22 or 23.
But once I did, it quickly became a habit.
For years I was drinking at least three cups a day, sometimes more.
Recently I’ve been paying closer attention to my energy.
Relying on coffee started to feel like riding a roller coaster—ups and downs I couldn’t fully control.
That’s what made me curious.
I wanted to find out how cutting out coffee would change my energy, my mood, and how well I got things done.
I know many people ease off slowly, swapping cups of coffee for tea or other drinks with less caffeine.
But for me, this is how I chose to start my journey with How I Quit Drinking Coffee.
1. I Admitted It Was a Habit, Not a Need
For years I told myself coffee was harmless.
Everyone drinks it.
It’s just a normal part of life.
But deep down, I knew I was hooked.
When I skipped a cup, I felt cranky and tired.
That was my first clue—I wasn’t drinking coffee for enjoyment anymore.
I was drinking it because I thought I needed it.
Once I admitted that, I could see it clearly.
Coffee had become a habit, not a real need.
2. I Started with a Clear Goal
I didn’t quit just because I thought it would be fun.
I had a reason.
I wanted steady energy instead of highs and crashes.
I wanted to see if my body could handle days without that constant boost.
Setting that clear goal gave me a “why.”
On the hard days, I reminded myself of it.
Without that reason, I probably would have gone right back to my old habits.
3. I Chose Cold Turkey Instead of Cutting Back
Some people cut back slowly.
They swap one cup for tea or half-decaf.
That works for many, but I knew myself.
If I tried that, I’d keep finding excuses to drink more.
So I quit cold turkey.
No coffee at all.
It was rough at first.
The headaches, the tiredness, and the irritability all showed up.
But going all in helped me break the cycle faster.
4. I Drank More Water
One of the first things I noticed was dehydration.
Coffee had been giving me energy, but it also made me lose water.
Without it, I had to pay more attention to how much I was drinking.
So I kept a big water bottle with me at all times.
Every time I felt the urge for coffee, I took a drink instead.
It didn’t give me a caffeine buzz, but it helped me stay alert and refreshed.
Water became my replacement habit.
5. I Found Morning Alternatives
The hardest part was the morning.
Coffee wasn’t just about caffeine—it was part of my ritual.
I missed the smell, the warmth, and the comfort of holding a mug.
So I found alternatives.
Sometimes I drank herbal tea.
Other times I had warm lemon water.
Even just the act of sitting with a hot drink helped me feel like I wasn’t missing out.
Replacing the ritual was just as important as quitting the caffeine.
6. I Rested More in the First Week
The first week without coffee hit me hard.
My body was tired, and I wanted to nap more than usual.
At first, I fought it.
I thought I had to push through.
But then I realized my body was just resetting.
It needed more rest because it wasn’t running on caffeine anymore.
So I let myself nap when I needed it.
That extra rest helped me adjust faster.
7. I Accepted the Withdrawal Symptoms
The headaches came.
The irritability came.
The cravings came.
I knew they would, so I didn’t panic.
Instead of giving in, I told myself, “This is temporary.”
And it was.
After about a week, the worst of the symptoms faded.
After two weeks, I started to feel normal again.
That reminder kept me from quitting on my goal.
8. I Paid Attention to My Energy
Once the withdrawals passed, I started noticing something new.
My energy was more steady.
I didn’t crash in the afternoons.
I didn’t feel wired and restless at night.
It wasn’t the same “burst” that coffee gave me.
But it was smoother, more natural energy.
I felt like my body was running on its own instead of leaning on a crutch.
That steady energy was one of the biggest rewards.
