Books and other vices

So I was sick last week and was told to give up coffee for the medication to work.

“Okay, no problem, just please make me better!” was my response.

Little did I know how much coffee I was consuming daily.

I love coffee, I discovered it during my research aspect of my undergraduate dissertation. I never drank hot drinks before, it just felt weird.

Only after my partner counted how many cups he saw me drink on my day off did I notice I might have a little problem.

My idea of heaven is to have a really good book in my lap, a good jazz album in the background and a cup of coffee that never ran out next to me.
The smell of a new book and the aroma of coffee just go together!

That was until I had my first coffee-hangover.

I am 25 years old and have been to all of my close friends 21st/30th birthday parties in Ireland, so I have had alcohol-hangovers before. Ones where I feel like I can not walk, but keep going. I have given up alcohol for a little bit, as the price of it made me cry!

My first coffee-hangover was on a different scale.
Here are a few things that a doctor won’t tell you will happen if you give up your habit of 7-cups-o-joe cold turkey;

1. You will have a headache, non stop for the full seven days.
2. Lights are brighter, it will sting your eyes.
3. You are going to be so irritable until you wake up naturally.
4. After 3 days, you have this energy reserve you never knew was there.
5. A banana or an apple in the morning will wake you up to the same extend.
6. You feel like your have more time in the morning and will be more relaxed, more focused.
7. You don’t need coffee to function, it can be a treat but only occasionally.

In public libraries, and most that I know of, hot drinks are a huge no no and we have to ask patrons to please take them out side or throw them away.

They can ruin books and tables if split and the smell could make other patrons (like me) carve its contents. I love books too much, I can never give them up.

I had my first coffee today after a week, when I had all the 7 steps, and now I have a headache.

If I was given a choice between having no coffee again or never reading again, books all the way!