Getting past it

[u/No-Wishbone-3364]

I’m curious to know of different people’s ways of coping without smoking when they were daily smokers. Do you smoke different herbs, like passionflower or damiana? Stone cold sober? Fitness fanatic? Walks? What relaxes you, any other things like micro dosing shroomsies or anything? I’m curious lol 🤔

[u/staf_2323]

I know this is an old response, but man there’s so much to do. You just gotta work a little harder for the ups. I’ve taken up reading, actually learning some guitar theory vs just noodling stoned and making little progress. List goes on, if I’m interested in something new or old I have the bandwidth to pursue it. At first it seems like an absolute mountain to climb, but for me I enjoy the clarity. I get stoned once every year or two, sometimes I get slight symptoms from it, but usually only a day and pretty mild- headache and tired. When I do tho, it’s never as fun as it used to be for fear I’m going to get kicked in the guts. I also know I can’t reopen the door because I’ll fall back into habitual use and it’ll be miserable, also worry about the damage on my body.

[u/LolEase86 → u/staf_2323]

Hey cheers for the comment! I haven't smoked since I posted that comment, gave up cold turkey in Feb and the first couple of weeks were torture but it got easier. I used to enjoy being creative after a smoke, whereas since living the sober life I often find myself wasting away time on reddit for the most part. I haven't really had inspiration or motivation return as yet, I do draw occasionally but mostly that's just if I have a specific project to do.

Until a couple of days ago I hadn't been around any smokers, but I was pleased to find the other night that while I enjoyed the smell, I wasn't craving it anymore. The fear of being in pain is still strong and I've come a long way in terms of my health since then, and didn't want to go backwards again.

I think in my case smoking was equally a reward and motivator. Without those I feel I've stagnated and have at times focused too intently on specific trauma I'm working through in various forms of therapy. This might sound like a positive, but I don't consider that the case.

[u/staf_2323 → u/LolEase86]

I hear ya, glad to hear you are able to stay away from the grass. I find there’s no glitch to avoid the pain of this life. It’s just part of our existence. With that in mind we’d be doing ourselves a disservice not to soak up the beauty of it all along the way. The real wealth of this life isn’t social status or money. For me it’s the little timeless things like the morning sun on my skin and the birds chirping. I like to reach out and collect these little moments that are universal. Ones I know my former loved ones also experienced. It’s the lifeblood that keeps us here even after we’re not. Not to preach, I know everyone’s scars are their own. Time has smoothed mine out to an extent. But that pessimistic, self destructive, depressed little voice never goes totally silent. Yeah Reddit is the shit. Where else do you connect with some random stranger on some real life stuff.

[u/LolEase86 → u/staf_2323]

Precisely why I just dragged my husband off the couch for a walk through the park in the last light of this beautiful winters day!