I love the taste of coffee and the rituals (getting it from a coffee shop or brewing it yourself) but coffee 1) makes me anxious 2) really messes with my body. I transitioned to Matcha a few years ago which allowed me to keep the ritual with a less aggressive caffeine boost.
You're not the first person who's told me they've switched from coffee to matcha! I love the idea because you still get the ritual. How do you prepare/drink your matcha? Any tips or brand recs?
I have a more free-wheeling relationship with caffeine when I’m traveling. Since I’ll probably be staying up late, and drinking caffeine is fun and sexy, I’ll have two, three coffees in a day. Then I come home and have WITHDRAWALS because — for my best sleep/least anxiety — I should really just have one coffee in the morning, MAYBE one more in the afternoon, but nothing after 2/3pm. It’s always sad to reset 🥲☕️
I never thought about the travel vs. regular routine breakdown but I definitely drink more coffee when I'm traveling — less because I'm doing journalism, as you are, and more because travel makes me feel like I can break all my rules.
I feel the same way, this is such a good call out! I recently noticed that I've had to take caffeine detoxes during weeks after I return from vacation.
I just wrote an entire piece about my decision to cut back on caffeine and buy a Nespresso so I can make decaf and half-caf coffee and it has brought me SO much joy
Aja, I'm glad you got to reset this weekend and that you got to start The Wedding People! And Aliza, what a throwback with that Ashlee Simpson album! I specifically remember my mom in the car saying "no, not again, we cannot listen to this album again" as me and my cousins tried to sing along for the zillionth time 😂
I’m a decaf coffee girl! All the flavor none of the jitters. Just make sure it’s a high quality brand that doesn’t add weird stuff in the extraction process.
Echoing Brenna—switching to high-quality decaf (using the Swiss water process) has been great for me! I drink Counter Culture Coffee’s organic Slow Motion, which is widely available.
I do, mostly because I started having weird heart palpitations last year (don't worry, I'm fine) and figured it might be a good idea to dial down on the caffeine 🤣
I also quit coffee caffeine! I switched to only having some caffeine from tea (all varieties: matcha, chai, everything), and many days not having any caffeine. It does help that right now I have a more flexible schedule and don't have to get up crazy early after staying up late, so not sure how long this will last, but it has helped my anxiety and with not feeling jittery so so much! Some coffee shops have really good decaf lattes, too
I feel like I’ve been on a caffeine journey ever since they started to provide free coffee during finals week in college! I had to stop because it made me ravenously hungry/messed with my stomach. I switched to green tea and matcha but during my recent pregnancy I had to stop all together because it made me anxious. I’m now off of caffeine completely, and maybe for good? We’ll see. A wise woman introduced me to Nettle Lattes which are super nutrient dense and still scratches the itch of the taste treat/ritual of a matcha!
After years of drinking coffee regularly, one day I realized it made me very anxious (like in 2018). Switched to matcha for a bit, but now I’m normally pretty caffeine free and love it! Definitely had some withdrawals when I was quitting & realized I didn’t ever want to be hooked on it again. I do have some on occasion, mostly when traveling or if very tired and have to work a long day. But it’s just a boost instead of a baseline need. But i was sitting here wondering why i was feeling anxious today & forgot i had a matcha-you reminded me haha!
I love the taste of coffee and the rituals (getting it from a coffee shop or brewing it yourself) but coffee 1) makes me anxious 2) really messes with my body. I transitioned to Matcha a few years ago which allowed me to keep the ritual with a less aggressive caffeine boost.
You're not the first person who's told me they've switched from coffee to matcha! I love the idea because you still get the ritual. How do you prepare/drink your matcha? Any tips or brand recs?
I'm obsessed with that Liz Moore interview! Her perspective on what "success" looks like as an author is so healthy and refreshing.
Right? I hope she starts a Substack.
I have a more free-wheeling relationship with caffeine when I’m traveling. Since I’ll probably be staying up late, and drinking caffeine is fun and sexy, I’ll have two, three coffees in a day. Then I come home and have WITHDRAWALS because — for my best sleep/least anxiety — I should really just have one coffee in the morning, MAYBE one more in the afternoon, but nothing after 2/3pm. It’s always sad to reset 🥲☕️
I never thought about the travel vs. regular routine breakdown but I definitely drink more coffee when I'm traveling — less because I'm doing journalism, as you are, and more because travel makes me feel like I can break all my rules.
I feel the same way, this is such a good call out! I recently noticed that I've had to take caffeine detoxes during weeks after I return from vacation.
😂😂 at fun and sexy caffeine 😂 why does it feel that way tho?
I just wrote an entire piece about my decision to cut back on caffeine and buy a Nespresso so I can make decaf and half-caf coffee and it has brought me SO much joy
I loved that post, Cameron! Such a good strategy.
Aja, I'm glad you got to reset this weekend and that you got to start The Wedding People! And Aliza, what a throwback with that Ashlee Simpson album! I specifically remember my mom in the car saying "no, not again, we cannot listen to this album again" as me and my cousins tried to sing along for the zillionth time 😂
Hah! I love that, I’m sure my parents could relate…
I can still smell the herbal essences I used to use every morning as a teen! I wonder if they still make it...
They do but the bottle is all different (cough wrong) 😔
I’m a decaf coffee girl! All the flavor none of the jitters. Just make sure it’s a high quality brand that doesn’t add weird stuff in the extraction process.
Echoing Brenna—switching to high-quality decaf (using the Swiss water process) has been great for me! I drink Counter Culture Coffee’s organic Slow Motion, which is widely available.
Oh you've got this dialed in. Googling Swiss water process...
I do, mostly because I started having weird heart palpitations last year (don't worry, I'm fine) and figured it might be a good idea to dial down on the caffeine 🤣
I'm moving in your direction, Brenna! What's your fave brand?
My friend brews coffee so he makes me decaf. He actually started selling it! It’s called Misa Coffee. 😊
Cool! Will check it out!
I just picked-up The God of the Woods this weekend + can hardly wait to start!!
It's sooo good. Let me know what you think when you finish!
I also quit coffee caffeine! I switched to only having some caffeine from tea (all varieties: matcha, chai, everything), and many days not having any caffeine. It does help that right now I have a more flexible schedule and don't have to get up crazy early after staying up late, so not sure how long this will last, but it has helped my anxiety and with not feeling jittery so so much! Some coffee shops have really good decaf lattes, too
I am so impressed that you have many no-caffeine days. I aspire to that!!
The Shuffle Mamas are my new favorite IG account to follow now..thank you for sharing!
Soooo inspiring and fun, right!?
I'm reading The Wedding People too!
Just finished last night. Let me know what you think when you're done!
Quitting regular caffeine is awesome! I also noticed a huge anxiety decrease. 😬
This is motivating, thanks Brandon :)
Love sweet and spicy tea! It is amazing and even comes in a caffeine free version.
YES! Love meeting another S&S tea lover!
I feel like I’ve been on a caffeine journey ever since they started to provide free coffee during finals week in college! I had to stop because it made me ravenously hungry/messed with my stomach. I switched to green tea and matcha but during my recent pregnancy I had to stop all together because it made me anxious. I’m now off of caffeine completely, and maybe for good? We’ll see. A wise woman introduced me to Nettle Lattes which are super nutrient dense and still scratches the itch of the taste treat/ritual of a matcha!
Hahaha. My caffeine journey probably started around the same time... Nettle lattes sound SO good. Do you make them at home?
Yes I just started making them! Will make them for you soon!
Would love that!
After years of drinking coffee regularly, one day I realized it made me very anxious (like in 2018). Switched to matcha for a bit, but now I’m normally pretty caffeine free and love it! Definitely had some withdrawals when I was quitting & realized I didn’t ever want to be hooked on it again. I do have some on occasion, mostly when traveling or if very tired and have to work a long day. But it’s just a boost instead of a baseline need. But i was sitting here wondering why i was feeling anxious today & forgot i had a matcha-you reminded me haha!
Oh my gosh, too funny! It's kinda wild how sensitive to caffeine you can become too when you haven't been drinking it...
I love those pasta bowls and am surprised to see one of my favorite local shops featured here! Do one of you have a Northampton, MA connection?
I stumbled across these bowls on Pinterest actually — but am now obsessed with PINCH. We'll have to do a road-trip!