By Vanessa Herrera
If there’s one thing everyone knows about me, it is that I LOVE coffee. I drink it on my way to class, while chatting with friends, in meetings and even in my sleep. My Snapchat is filled with intricate designs on my lattes that baristas effortlessly whip up. My cup of happiness is not just for the energy boost, but rather for the taste and pleasure it brings me. So it came as quite a surprise to everyone when I announced I was giving up coffee for 40 days.
You might be wondering what possessed me to take such difficult step. The reason is because of Lent, a religious observance event. During this time, one can pledge to do a certain good deed or sacrifice something for 40 days. My close friends, knowing the coffee lover I am, convinced me to give up my life source. To be supportive, some of my non-religious friends joined in and sacrificed something they love as well. It then became more than just for a religious cause; it was also to prove to myself I could do it.
The first week went by with ease. I wasn’t tempted to buy a cup or even felt the need to drink coffee. But I wasn’t prepared for the second week, which proved to be the hardest. It was a week full of exams and papers, and I quickly found myself missing my power source. Every whiff of coffee reminded me of the sweet taste that once woke me up. I tried drinking tea but it just wasn’t the same. I was constantly reminded of my inability to drink coffee – tempting me to give up on the goal I had set for myself.
By the fourth week, I came to terms with my self-imposed constraints and no longer felt saddened by being unable to drink coffee. Maybe it’s knowing that coffee will soon be waiting for me that is pushing me through. Whatever it is, I’m honestly proud of myself for not giving up. Yes, it’s only for a short period of time, but coffee was a major part of my routine and habits can’t be undone in a day.
Am I going to stop being a coffee lover? Maybe not. I would be lying if I said I would never touch coffee again. However, in these past few weeks, I have saved so much money and discovered the amount of self-control I really have. All it takes is a will and you’ll find yourself achieving your dreams.
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Image Sources:
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