7, I Mean Seven!

(81)inPhotography Lovers

No, it's not my Hive birthday, that was in March and I did not write a post about it. Today I'd like to write abut something else, another 7 years anniversary and quite an important one for me.

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Shame one me as I only remembered it due to someone speaking about it, but that doesn't mean it's less important, so I thought why not take some shots as there are not many of this kind and share it with the Photography Lovers community, along with my story.

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Yes, it is related to coffee as it's now 7 years now, since I quit drinking coffee. It was on the 6th of September, when I made a post about my intentions and there were a few follow-up posts, here: 1, 2. (God, looking back, how much the chain has evolved since then. We didn't even have communities back then, they came to life after we forked.)

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It's been seven years since then and I could not be more proud of my achievement. At first no one believed I can do it. I can't really blame them as I was drinking strong espresso 24/7 for years and wherever I went, my first thought was coffee, then the rest, so I can't really blame them.

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As I said in my follow-up posts back then, it was really tough, I think it made me understand what withdrawal syndrome means and it's not funny at all, I can tell you that. You need a lot of strength to not quit.

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It was one of the biggest lessons of my life and would not change it for anything. After 7 years I can tell you, I'd not drink coffee now, even if you would pay me.

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Some of my family members are drinking coffee and I got to a point where today, the smell of freshly brewed coffee is bothering me. I mean not that I can't tolerate it, but I'd be better without it, don't like it anymore.

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Last week I made a drawing using instant coffee. While I was mixing the granulated coffee with water, could not ignore the smell, a lovely smell I must admit, that came towards me from the mixing bawl. It reminded me of the early years of my coffee drinking period, when I was drinking instant coffee and even though I did not taste it this time, could almost feel the flavor in my mouth.

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The reason I remembered my anniversary today is, because I just sold this coffee set. Lavazza is my most favorite brand and I had this coffee set for decades, but have never used it. Not because I value it too much, but because this is original Italian, among the first editions and as they drink their espresso, the cups are really small. That's how it should be and it should be enough, but the addict I was, I was drinking three times more each time and had a bigger mug for this purpose.

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Before shipping the set to the buyer, I thought I'd make a photo shoot with it, to have as memory as it's dear to me.

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The coffee beans I used here are from 7 years ago, when I put aside some before quitting, to make some photos for my post. I still have them today and will keep them for the future. For guests i have ground coffee, so no worries :)

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Now I have to say goodbye to this lovely and precious coffee set, pack it and ship it to Poland, to someone I hope it's going to appreciate it as much as I do. It's a bit of a heartache, but if I don't use it, at least I'll let someone else do.

I hope you like the photos I took specially for this post :)

After 7 years, I still consider myself an addict and firmly believe that one coffee would be enough to get back to my old habits.

Fun fact: it's funny how many times people are shocked to know I don't drink coffee. The question is always the same, don't you like coffee? To which my answer is also always the same, I love it. Then comes the usual, Then why don't you drink it? It's simple, because I'm an addict.

Another funny thing is, when people are trying to justify their coffee addiction, using low blood pressure. I also have low blood pressure, sometimes it drops below 100/60 and still can live without coffee. I don't tell anyone as it's obvious they are using the excuse as I have and would not be happy to know they could live without coffee as well. My doctor suggested drinking coffee, so for me it wasn't really an excuse, but too much is never good and if I could not control my intake, I ended up abusing it. Till one point.

If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:

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  • avdesing profile picture(76)

    You know what? I don't drink coffee because I don't like it, only once or twice every fortnight when I meet up with my friend here. Argentinians drink mate, which contains magnesium, and as I have a magnesium deficiency, it's very good for me and I love it. I also have low blood pressure, just like you, but I don't drink coffee, I never got used to it.

    It must be very difficult to break an addiction, and I congratulate you. Withdrawal is terrible; you must have a lot of willpower. Well done on selling that valuable coffee, and for its quality too.

    Seven years is a great achievement!

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    • erikah profile picture(81)

      Thank you @avdesing. I can tell you, I've never felt these withdrawal symptoms and it's not nice at all. You are literally sick, but if you want results, you need to resist.

      Mate is good, if you can get it at a reasonable price.

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      • avdesing profile picture(76)

        Well, since it's imported, yerba mate is expensive for me, but it's what I like. I don't drink alcohol or anything else... let's say that mate is my only vice, ha ha ha

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    • davideownzall profile picture(70)

      fun fact: i never drank cofee in my whole life, i just don't like it, but all my colleagues are addicted, they cant work without drinking one

      lavazza, ah super famous name here

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      • erikah profile picture(81)

        Lol, Lavazza comes from Italy 🇮🇹 and I love it. It's still the best and will remain the best for me. Too bad I can't drink it anymore.

        I think 80% of the adults are addicted to coffee and they think they can't exist without it 🤔

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      • kadr-pokaze profile picture(61)

        I think I've had a similar problem for several weeks now. I drink a lot of coffee and start to realize that I'm exaggerating. Photos very nice and interesting story. Best regards!

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        • erikah profile picture(81)

          Thank you @kadr-pokaze. If you realize you crossed the line, you're on the right track. Still time to cut back or stop.

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          • kadr-pokaze profile picture(61)

            I think it's high time to cut back now. I think I'll try replacing at least some of my coffee with Yerba Mate.

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            • erikah profile picture(81)

              That is a good decision. Do it and good luck!

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              • kadr-pokaze profile picture(61)

                Thank you and have a nice day!

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                • erikah profile picture(81)

                  Thank you, you too!

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          • bpcvoter1 profile picture(-13)(1)

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          • tamaralovelace profile picture(69)

            Congratulations to you! That is a wonderful anniversary to celebrate. You are a strong woman indeed...caffein is hard to get off of, I hear. I still drink it, so don't know first hand.

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            • erikah profile picture(81)

              Thank you Tamara! It needs strength indeed, lots of it as i was sick for 2 days, but it gets easier in time. If you succeed, it makes you stronger.

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            • gretelarmfeg profile picture(69)

              Seven years, that's an achievement! It really shows how much dedication and self-discipline it took to quit coffee, especially after being such a devoted fan for years.

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              • erikah profile picture(81)

                Yes, it takes some strength to do it, but it is not impossible. I'm still a fan, but not in the usual way :)

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                • gretelarmfeg profile picture(69)

                  Exactly, your story proves it’s possible. Oh, you’re still a fan, just in a different way.🤗

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              • jacey.boldart profile picture(72)

                When I was growing up, my parents drank coffee every morning. It always smelled SO good! They didn't allow us to drink it because of the caffeine, but also, who needs 5 children hopped up on caffeine?? Challenge enough just in numbers.

                I remember though, the first time or two I took a sip of that heavenly smelling stuff, I was SO surprised at how bitter it was.... Yuck ! 😄

                Except for a very few times, I did not drink coffee till I was 40'ish. The only reason I did before that would have been some situation where there was something going on outdoors and it was the only warm thing around. Then all the flavored coffee houses started showing up and there was one cafe across from where I worked that among other things had great muffins cooked daily. First it started with a vanilla coffee, then something else and something else. Later, where I worked had free coffee going all day, just walk over and fill up and start a new pot if you poured the last. They knew how to keep their workers going! So slowly, I too started drinking a cup or two most days. I still drink it, but not every day. I do like it though.

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                • kachy2022 profile picture(70)

                  Congratulations on achieving your "no more coffee goal." It's not an easy decision, but you had to when you realized you were abusing it.

                  It's not easy to break free from an habit, you did! Congratulations 🎊

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                  • erikah profile picture(81)

                    This was not a habit, this was addiction.

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                    • kachy2022 profile picture(70)

                      Yeah, you won over your addiction. Not easy at all.

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                  • wealthgrammy profile picture(56)

                    Wow reading this felt really personal and inspiring because seven years without coffee is not just a small achievement it’s something huge especially when you were the kind of person who lived on strong espresso all day every day I know how hard habits like that are to break and it takes a lot of willpower and self control to push through the withdrawals and the cravings so I really respect that you stayed consistent with your decision even when people around you probably doubted you

                    I can relate in my own way because I’ve tried cutting back on certain things too and the first few days or weeks always feel impossible but then as time passes you realize you are stronger than you thought and you can survive without it I think what really stood out to me in your story was how you said the smell of coffee actually bothers you now that shows how far you’ve come because it’s not just quitting it’s your whole body and mind adjusting to a new normal and seeing coffee in a completely different light

                    The part about selling your Lavazza set really touched me because it’s like closing a chapter in your life while also keeping the memories through the photos you took it’s bittersweet because it was something dear to you but at the same time letting someone else appreciate it gives the set a new story and it’s symbolic in a way like saying goodbye to the old habit while moving forward free from it I also love that you kept the beans from seven years ago it’s almost like a time capsule of your journey

                    What also hit me is how people always question you when you say you don’t drink coffee anymore I think it shows how normalized addiction can be in our daily lives where people can’t imagine living without certain things I liked how you answered them honestly by saying it’s not that you don’t love coffee it’s that you do and that’s why you don’t drink it anymore that kind of honesty takes strength and I think it might even make others reflect on their own habits

                    Seven years is no small number it shows growth resilience and discipline and the way you shared it with photography makes the story even richer because it’s not just words but something visual and memorable thank you for sharing this because it reminds me that breaking free from something we depend on too much is always possible even if it feels impossible at the start

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                    • erikah profile picture(81)

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                    • jazlove profile picture(59)

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                      • erikah profile picture(81)

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                        Did you use AI to comment?

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                        • erikah profile picture(81)

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                          So you edited your comment, replaced it and now everything is fine?

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                          • jazlove profile picture(59)

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                            • erikah profile picture(81)

                              It wasn't a mistake, it was a conscious decision.

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