[CorpOverreach]

I usually break from coffee when going on vacation, so coming back to work afterwards and not having coffee isn't so much of a problem.

The thing though is... I _like_ coffee. The caffeine is maybe 20% of the experience for me. I enjoy the routine I have with coffee: Weigh the beans, run them through the grinder, prep my drip filter, carefully pour the hot water in, listen to the drips while taking in the wonderful aroma... and then finally, when I take that first sip of the morning, feeling the warmth of the drink in my chest.

Everything in that process is soothing for me, and serves as mental preparation for the day to come. It's the marker for the start of my workday, separating work from home. It's the mental replacement for the commute I no longer have.

I don't _need_ those things, and I could totally do my job without any of them, but I'd be losing the happiness I get from the experience.

[darkerside]

You probably won't like hearing this, but that's very similar to the incredible feeling of removing the plastic on a new pack of cigarettes, tapping one out, lighting it up, taking a nice big inhale and feeling the buzz work its magic.

[sweuder]

Just because both have an enjoyable ritual aspect does not mean that they are equivalent vices or even remotely comparable.

Humans ritualize all sorts of activities, positive and negative.

[aaaaaaaaata]

It's also similar to opening a pack of premium herbs from a dispensary, grinding it, packing it into a bowl or a vaporizer, etc

[garren]

Completely agree. I love the taste of coffee, I love the smell of roasted beans, but I really appreciate the ritual. I can function fine without coffee, but the morning just isn’t started until I have fresh grounds and a pot started. Caffeinated or decaffeinated, coffee is great. I’ve tried substitutes like tea and chicory, doesn’t work.

[mod]

I like those same types of things when I bake bread. You might give that a shot, if you haven't, and two of those activities sounds better than one.

Bread aroma vs coffee aroma...maybe up for debate, but I'll take the bread.

[randomluck040]

Why settle for one if you can have both? I think the smell of freshly baked bread is from another world but the satisfaction during consumption for me is on the coffee side of things.

[wink]

Kinda the same here. I usually have one (not very strong) cup in the morning, and sometimes one in the afternoon. If I take a break I don't notice anything. I've not tried not having coffee for a week in a while, but I've been on this low amount for a few years.

[zeagle]

This is why I started to grind 2/3-3/4 decaf mixed in with regular beans. Part of my morning routine and commute but I don't want to over caffeinate.

[garren]

I do the same. Decaf gets a bad rap - if you like (or crave) the taste of coffee but don’t want the jitters, go decaf.

[senectus1]

the other great time to kick the habit is when you're sick... if you don't have a choice about being sick you might as well throw withdrawal effects at the same time, medicate and sleep it away and start fresh when you recover.