I am literally drinking mine black right now. It took me two mornings to surrender after dumbly putting a tablespoon of half and half into it for a week.. look, you’re working so damn hard, just DO BLACK COFFEE, you’re in resistance to winning this - just give it your everything and you will thank yourself in April.
Caffeine pills are one option. Watch the dosage: one cup of coffee provides about 100 mg caffeine, but one caffeine pill is 200 mg, so it’s like instantly slamming two cups of coffee. I’d start with half a pill and see how you feel.
I would also suggest trying cold-brew coffee — it is much less bitter. Even people who hate regular black coffee often enjoy black cold-brew.
You can easily make cold-brew coffee yourself if you have a French press/cafetière. The day/night before you’ll want coffee, put the regular amount of ground coffee and water into your French press, but use cold or room-temp water. Stir. Put the lid on, but don’t push the plunger. Let it sit on the counter for 8-24 hours (the timing is very forgiving). Push the plunger down. Pour over ice and drink. You can also warm it up to drink it hot. (If you don’t have a French press, you can use a jar and a mesh strainer.)
You’re drinking the wrong black coffee. Look in the grocery, most stock mild roast coffees as well as the harsher dark roasts. Look for breakfast coffees, Arabian coffees. Coffee from different locations taste dramatically different. Still get your caffeine. Enjoy the search (a new distraction?)
I was the same exact way and I finally just did the black coffee. Didn’t give myself a choice. If I wanted caffeine or coffee this was it 😅 and told myself if I wanted one how I like it I can wait until my window but then I usually don’t feel the need for coffee once I push through. Keep trying!!
Caffeine pills or just buck up and drink black coffee—might be a good symbol of your commitment. I used to hate black coffee but switched to it for a healthy change. I love it now and only add stuff on rare occasions.