I quit coffee three weeks ago so I could feel better. This is not a letter about being middle-aged although this feels like a pretty middle-aged kind of thing. Sometimes I just want to keep being middle-aged out of it all. But anyway we make these kinds of shifts all the time. The irresponsible shit you pulled at 16 doesn’t fly when you’re 25. Then you used to go out dancing all night when you were 25 and now you’re in your thirties and you’re like, “No thank you, sir, I have to get up for work in the morning.” And sometimes when you’re nearly 52, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, after years of just living it up in a caffeinated state, just having a goddamn party every morning with a fresh cup of Joe, you discover if you drink coffee it makes you feel like garbage all day. So now you are person who doesn’t drink coffee.
I try to take a week off from caffeine once a month. The first day or two isn't great, but it keeps me from being too miserably addicted to coffee. I read somewhere that a week without caffeine helps reset your brain/body chemistry. It might be nonsense, but it works for me, and it makes me appreciate coffee more (vs. seeing it as a necessity). I have yet to ever convince anyone else to try this, though, so my data is extremely limited!
Yes, creative work is still work so yes, sometimes it does feel like it. Right now I'm focusing on marketing my book and it really feels like work! Been decaffeinated a long time. Half my life...and I'm so glad. If I ever want to power through teaching a lot of classes at a conference, I get some decaf coffee and I go all day and long into the evening. Decaf. It's true.
I so enjoyed reading this piece especially since I was about to have a cup of coffee after not having it in about two months. I’m fighting the urge to drink a cup. I give up coffee every now and then and when I decide to have a cup, I look at it as a treat and not a necessity. Thank you for the motivation. 😊
I love this. Thank you. Implementing the solution can be wearing, for sure. Wise to remember all the luck involved. Don’t know you personally, Jami, but so appreciate this newsletter —and your wonderful books! Write on.
Hey Jami! Thanks so much for these as always. I had a question for you - how do you think about taking breaks from your work? I so appreciate all the work you do to help us sprint and build great habits, but it can be necessary to give yourself some space from your writing or travel (or work) or just take a holiday — and it can be scary to break those habits or lose momentum or get lazy when you've been on a roll! Curious if you plan breaks and stick to them, or listen to your needs in a more intuitive way, and when you know you're ready to attack the work with fresh eyes.
I try to take a week off from caffeine once a month. The first day or two isn't great, but it keeps me from being too miserably addicted to coffee. I read somewhere that a week without caffeine helps reset your brain/body chemistry. It might be nonsense, but it works for me, and it makes me appreciate coffee more (vs. seeing it as a necessity). I have yet to ever convince anyone else to try this, though, so my data is extremely limited!
always grateful to be in the race but today this sentiment equally has all the feels:
“Let’s put it this way: solving the problem is fun, implementing the solution is (often) not.“
#stillslogging
Yes indeed! We all are lucky to get your messages and live a creative. Thanks. Jami.
Yes, creative work is still work so yes, sometimes it does feel like it. Right now I'm focusing on marketing my book and it really feels like work! Been decaffeinated a long time. Half my life...and I'm so glad. If I ever want to power through teaching a lot of classes at a conference, I get some decaf coffee and I go all day and long into the evening. Decaf. It's true.
Loved your newsletter, as always.
Somehow you always write what I need to read. Thank you.
I so enjoyed reading this piece especially since I was about to have a cup of coffee after not having it in about two months. I’m fighting the urge to drink a cup. I give up coffee every now and then and when I decide to have a cup, I look at it as a treat and not a necessity. Thank you for the motivation. 😊
Just want to say how much i like your images here, as well as the written word. The mural is fantastic. So evocative and interesting
Cheers to life transitions! We can count on them:-)
I love this. Thank you. Implementing the solution can be wearing, for sure. Wise to remember all the luck involved. Don’t know you personally, Jami, but so appreciate this newsletter —and your wonderful books! Write on.
Thanks for the pep talk and the reminder to appreciate what we do have.
Hey Jami! Thanks so much for these as always. I had a question for you - how do you think about taking breaks from your work? I so appreciate all the work you do to help us sprint and build great habits, but it can be necessary to give yourself some space from your writing or travel (or work) or just take a holiday — and it can be scary to break those habits or lose momentum or get lazy when you've been on a roll! Curious if you plan breaks and stick to them, or listen to your needs in a more intuitive way, and when you know you're ready to attack the work with fresh eyes.
I'm always grateful to live a creative writing life. I couldn't imagine it any other way.