Hello comrades and welcome to the fourth improvement megathread of October! 
Some discussion ideas:
- How was your week?
+ Do you have some plans for next week?
Poster caption
Win honor for the socialist motherland
为社会主义祖国争光
Wei shehui zhuyi zuguo zhengguang
Yes, I mean strictly no caffeine. I very much like coffee and tea; it’s practically a hobby of mine. I pretty well understand the effect that caffeine has on my body… and I think most people underestimate the negative side effects.
I believe caffeine makes me more anxious and stressed out as a baseline. I thought it was a natural reaction to the anxiety and stress in my life, but I am surprised just how much better I cope with life when I haven’t had caffeine.
My sleep is deeper, more restorative, and regular. My eyes look less tired and my skin looks healthier. I don’t have brain fog. My energy and focus is more consistent throughout the day. I don’t feel as tired after work.
I wasn’t drinking an abnormally large amount; 2 cups per day, probably 300-400 mg, inside the “safe” daily allowance.
The weirdest observation is that my emotions came back. I think for a long time I’ve had a more flat affect and found it harder to laugh. I thought I was just depressed, but that didn’t seem right. I’m fine on the inside, but it’s like I couldn’t connect that to an emotive state.
It will be hard to cut the psychological attachment to coffee and tea, but I’m already finding alternatives like juice and herbal teas.
Since this is the bear site I will add one edgy comment, that caffeine is a perfect drug for turning us into soulless worker drones. Going off caffeine feels like a tiny rebellion.