Five days.

That’s how long my caffeine withdrawals lasted.

You’re probably saying “WTF?”

Well, I tried a little experiment. I’ve talked before about my New Years resolution to cut back on the coffee. WAAY back. “Everything in moderation” I said. Well, that helped some. But not enough.

I don’t like the person I am sometimes, and I blame it on lots of things – stress, depression, medicine, lack of sleep, too much sleep, lack of sex – the list goes on and on.

(astute readers will notice I did not say “too much sex” in that list, because I’m pretty sure there is no such thing)

And my blood pressure! Dang, it’s all over the map. This in spite of generally eating healthy and exercising. Gee, blood pressure might be related to being a grumpy asshole much of the time, ya think?

So here was my experiment – I quit drinking coffee. (insert ‘Airplane!’ quote of your choice here). Go ahead, laugh – I am. Now.

OMG people, let me tell you – it is not well documented by doctors, but caffeine withdrawal sucks, and not in a good way. I’m here to testify. It all happens and more. (Roseanne Roseanna Danna? Yup.)

But after five days, I’m feeling much, much better. Almost human. And? I haven’t died! I didn’t fall asleep at my desk! (well, almost, it was touch and go for a couple days there).

All I have to do now is try and repair the damage done with my family, especially over the past week, but perhaps over the last ten or fifteen years. I had no idea what a jerk I had been, until I’m looking at it now, without coffee-colored glasses. I’m still an ass, but maybe I can manage my inner asshole a little better now. I hope so. My kids, my wife, everyone – they deserve much better than I have been giving, for a long time now.

So, pushing ahead, and onward, I suppose. Just felt like sharing.