A Coffee Drinker is Born

When I went to college, I arbitrarily decided to stop drinking caffeinated drink. I didn’t do this for any particular reason other than curiosity. Like most teenagers, I would regularly consume sodas and, very rarely, coffee, and I was curious how much of my energy needs were actually being met by caffeine.

Not being heavily addicted to caffeine, I found the switch to be easy and the effects noticeable but not overly dramatic. I had little difficulty waking up in the morning even after less than adequate nights of sleep. I didn’t even seem to take issue with my early-morning weight training class during my first semester. Instead of sodas, I elected to drink juices and alternative beverages like Sobe. All in all, it was an interesting but predictable experience.

After coming to my new job, however, my paradigm has shifted. With a free and abundant supply of coffee at my disposal, I have found a new appreciation for the drink. If my energy should lapse during the day, all I need to do is get another cup to perk it back up. It’s a wonderful effect, and I can see how some people quickly become addicted to it.

Hopefully I won’t become a chronic coffee-holic as a result of this new trend. I’d hate to be the sort of person who needs coffee to function after first waking up in the morning. Still, I don’t see myself quitting any time in the near future, as I value my work performance a great deal more than an addiction that would be marginally aversive to my health at worst. Now, when they say, “Coffee?”, I’ll be saying, “Yes, please.”