Some habits seem harmless at first but gradually take control of our lives. For me, it was Diet Coke. Note, I said was. What started as a calorie-free beverage in 1982 when the iconic silver can first hit the shelves evolved into a full-blown addiction over the next four decades.
Diet Coke’s meteoric rise is well-documented. It was a top-secret project by Coca-Cola, designed to capture the growing market of health-conscious consumers. Little did they know, the smooth, aspartame-sweetened taste would become a cultural phenomenon, overtaking TaB and Diet Pepsi.
The very ingredients that made Diet Coke so irresistible also made it incredibly addictive for me. For years, I convinced myself it was just a habit, not an addiction. But the telltale signs were there – the inability to start my day without it, the need to always have a stash on hand, and the annoying withdrawal symptoms if I went too long without a can or two or 10.
On May 31, 2023, after 41 years of excessive daily consumption, I decided enough was enough. I was done being controlled by chemicals in a can. Cold turkey was the only way – no more gradual tapering, only to start up again a few hours, days or weeks later. It was time to break free.
The first few days were rough, with headaches and cravings, but not as rough as I imagined it would be. I powered through with unsweetened iced tea, lemon-mint infused water, and sheer determination. I poured myself into family activities: my son’s law school graduation party, a 5-day staycation with my husband full of great meals and day trips around the Twin Cities, and lots of library books.
Each day, my resolve grew stronger. As the weeks passed, the cravings lessened.
One year later, I can say with certainty that I am no longer a Diet Coke drinker. The habit that once controlled me no longer does.
What are your seemingly harmless habits? Are they gripping you? Take a step back and ask yourself – is this really serving me? You have the power to break free, to reclaim control of your life. It won’t be easy, but liberation is worth the effort because we are not defined by our habits but by our ability to change them.
Links Du Jour:
Making Healthier Choices – A Guide to Giving Up Soda – Banner Health
The extraordinary history of how Diet Coke came to be – 1982 The Coca-Cola Company
Sweating, shaking and a week-long migraine – what I went through to quit Diet Coke – The Guardian
I was powerless over Diet Coke – The New York Times
Two Minutes Du Jour 
One response to “Kicking the Habit: Life Without Diet Coke”
[…] I’ve added new components (like starting yoga five years ago), eliminated others (like quitting Diet Coke), and started new chapters (like retiring from teaching at Metro State). Some of the changes are […]
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