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When I first started smoking, it was hugely beneficial. I grew up in a high-stress environment, and while art and philosophy helped me cope on an intellectual l
by grasshopperpurp 8y ago
When I first started smoking, it was hugely beneficial. I grew up in a high-stress environment, and while art and philosophy helped me cope on an intellectual level, it wasn't until I started smoking that I believed in a physical way many of the things I understood intellectually. When I had to quit for a couple months, it was very difficult, though, because I was still very much a work in progress. I recently quit again (temporarily) for a little over a month, and it's been much, much easier. I was worried that I might be psychologically dependent, because I smoked pretty much every day, and while I felt great, and am generally very happy, I was concerned that sense of well-being would go away when I quit again. Thankfully, I don't really miss it overall, and I feel great - just like when I was smoking regularly (same but different). I do miss it at specific times for specific activities, though.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- cheeko1234 8y agoI've been trying to quit for months but having a really hard time. It helps me with my anxiety and negative ruminations but now I feel too dependent on it.
- GW150914 8y agoMy advice, unasked for, is threefold. First, accept that st first it’s going to be a little messy. Your sleep might get wonky, you might feel a bit depressed or “blank” and you might even have hot flashes. It will pass, and little tokes here and there don’t so much help as reset the clock. Second, your appetite might take a hit, but it’s important to eat well. Finally, keep yourself occupied with something low-effort that you enjoy, preferably something that makes you smile. If you find yourself ruminating don’t dive deep into it, just quietly say “no” and move on. When you slide back into rumination, same thing, no big production, just “no” and think about something else. Accept that this will take time, and you won’t feel really normal for a while, but you will feel OK again.
- cheeko1234 8y agoThank you.
- grasshopperpurp 8y agoEveryone is different, and I can only speak to my experience, but here's what worked for me: I meditated on the differences I felt when high and not. Getting beyond the physical sensations, which are very nice, the biggest difference was that I was able to relax my mind and enjoy things when high. When I was high, I was not eating an apple and worrying about my daily/weekly/big-picture stresses. I was just eating an apple. I already knew that this was preferable on an intellectual level, but getting high allowed me to feel it - to know that it was actually like. The first time I quit, I had not practiced enough to enact this in my non-high state. Even though I knew I wanted it, I let my thoughts hurt me. This last time, I had practiced/meditated enough to naturally be in the state of just enjoying an apple (btw - I don't just eat apples all day). Enjoying nature, taking walks, and my interests/passions also help a lot. I don't know if that will be helpful to you, but I hope it is :^)
- cheeko1234 8y agoThank you.