So right after Ash Wednesday kicked off Lent on February 18, 2026, I decided to dive into one of the sneakiest addictions out there—caffeine. For 20+ years, coffee and yerba mate were my daily ritual, my "can't function without it" fuel. But a month ago, I quit cold (well, tapered hard), and now I'm sharing the raw truth: life without the crutch is clearer, calmer, and way more real. If Lent is about fasting to draw closer to God, this was my unexpected sacrifice—and it's hitting different. Main Benefits I've Felt (One Month In): Steady, natural energy—no more crashes or afternoon slumps.Best sleep of my life—deeper, more restorative, no wired wake-ups.Anxiety dropped massively (from like 50% of my day to 5%)—caffeine was quietly amping my racing thoughts.Clearer mind, less fog, sharper focus without the artificial hype.Reset hunger cues, no wild cravings, and a true sense of baseline me—not stimulated, just present.How I Did It – Practical Tips to Quit: Taper smart: Started by switching to yerba mate (still caffeine but tricked my brain off coffee).Reduce gradually: Cut portions day by day—from big cups (3–6/day, ~500mg total) down to 2, then 1, then instant, half-spoons, quarters, until decaf.Swap rituals: Herbal teas, warm lemon water, or just sipping nothing—break the "need a cup to start" habit.Push through withdrawal: Expect headaches/fog for 3–9 days; hydrate, move, pray through it.Reframe it: Treat caffeine as a tool (maybe occasional for hikes or writing), not a daily crutch.Spiritual Tie-In: Lent reminds us "from dust you came, to dust you return"—Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert, relying fully on the Father. Giving up food (or stimulants) creates emptiness, humility, and sensitivity to God. Caffeine blocked my rest and amped my busyness; quitting it slowed me down, helped me surrender anxiety through breath and release, and let me feel who I really am without the buzz. It's fasting for awareness—less dependence on stuff, more on the true Source. If this resonates, especially if you're addicted and thinking "no way I could quit," that's exactly where I was. Try it this Lent—even a week shows you something. You're stronger than the habit. Drop a comment: What's your crutch? Let's journey light together. Day 3 drops tomorrow—stay tuned. Peace. -JA
