Good Night Coke

Growing up, I wasn't allowed to drink much soda, and on "special occasions" my drink of choice was always Sprite. It wasn't until college that I needed caffeine to stay awake to write my genius papers, and it was around that time that I learned that Coke has caffeine and Diet Coke has no calories. (I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but maybe it's charming?)

So around my junior year of college, I started to drink a fair amount of Diet Coke, and I've continued to do so on-and-off until recently. It's an acquired taste, but once you've acquired it, damn, you totally crave it and the caffeine withdrawal results in a nasty headache. I would go a few weeks without it, and then find myself heading to teach in the afternoon and needing a pick-me-up. And since I've never tried coffee and probably never will, Diet Coke was my main option. (Or, Coke Zero, which is what they have in China).

Since I've come back to the States and moved back in with my parents, I haven't had any situations that have really required alertness. I also have access to things like potable tap water and real juice and seltzer, which satisfies my need for carbonation. So I haven't had any soda since I've returned and I feel good about it. What I like most about my non-caffeinated lifestyle is that when I feel tired, I feel tired. I'm generally afraid of sleep, so I always combated that feeling with more caffeine, but since getting back I just have to accept what my body is telling me: "I'm run down and I want you to go to bed." It's nice to feel connected with my body and what it wants. That's not to say I'll never drink soda in the future - I've made some very grand statements in the past about Never Drinking Soda Ever Again - but I'm enjoying this little chapter of my life right now and I figured I should record it.