In my short 19 years of life here on this planet, I have come to a broad awakening of how incredible the sweet nectar of the gods (I call it coffee) really is. Watching my favorite TV series "Gilmore Girls" hasn't helped me in my coffee addiction, but they do ring some truth in living the coffee lover's lifestyle.
Here are my 10 steps to how you too can embark on the coffee lover's life.
1. Allow coffee to be more than just an occasional drink.
You have to realize that coffee is incredible, and your life will never be complete without it. So drink up! Drink it in the morning, afternoon and evening. Coffee is your lifestyle now so you better get used to it, which shouldn't be too difficult considering you chose this path.
2. Desperation isn't cute unless it's for coffee.
It's true, you will get desperate for your new favorite drink increasingly more often, but that's fine. Don't panic, it is totally something to expect. Just don't get too scary in your desperation. Sometimes, I do seriously joke about needing caffeine pumped in my veins through an IV, but think about it — it could be extremely useful in certain situations.
3. Make sure your budget accommodates your lifestyle.
Buying coffee can be expensive, especially if you want to buy better beans than Folgers. Therefore, you must make sure your budget can cover your needs. Or you can just make it work like me and end up spending all your tips and "extra" cash on coffee. Whoops.
4. Understand that not everyone likes coffee.
I don't understand how this could ever be true, but it sadly is. The idea is absurd to me that there are people out there who really just don't like it. I question their sanity.
5. You will have withdrawal days.
I'm sure you have heard of people going through withdrawals from their caffeine addiction. This will happen when (if) they quit "cold turkey" or haven't drank their morning cup on time. Well, it is the hard truth that at some point in your coffee-addicted lifestyle you will go through withdrawal, and it is not fun. Especially once you hit "headache stage."
6. Enjoy every form of the coffee bean.
From drip coffee to espresso to chocolate-covered coffee beans, don't ever forget all the wonderful ways in which coffee is prepared. Chocolate covered coffee beans are one of the most inspired inventions for every coffee and chocolate lover to enjoy. If you are one of those people, enjoy them! Coffee in espresso form is by far my favorite with its rich flavor mixed with hot, foamy milk and lightly sweetened with a simple coffee syrup.
7. Broaden your horizons.
Yes, black coffee is sometimes all you need, but go get yourself an incredible latte from time to time! Make it different, and try new combinations of coffee, syrups and chocolate. Barista's usually love making new concoctions, so mix it up a bit. A couple of my favorites are an Irish cream and raspberry latte and an English toffee hazelnut latte. They are incredible flavors. Go out and find something worth drinking and rejuvenate your coffee loving soul in experiencing something new.
8. Outsiders think you need help with your addiction.
Maybe this is true, but that's not what the coffee has been telling me. Don't listen to them, they are just bitter because they aren't a coffee lover like we are. Not yet.
9. Recognize that you will build up a tolerance.
Sadly, you will eventually drink so much coffee that your immunity towards its effects will get larger, and the normal "buzz" will no longer affect you the way it did when you were still a juvenile drinker. However, this does mean that you don't have to drink decaf at night. You can still drink fully caffeinated coffee, but I would not advise that if it is in espresso form.
10. Coffee is always worth the wait.
Whether you're waiting for drip coffee to brew in your pot, sitting in line at your local coffee shop or waiting for your pour over to filter, coffee will always be worth the wait. You will realize this very quickly after you take that first sniff of your freshly brewed cup, smile, sip a little and feel the warmth of the rich, velvety coffee spread throughout your body, making your heart fill with joy once more.
Welcome to the Coffee Lover's Club!
