Benefits of being off weed

I am 2 days away from Day 100 without smoking weed. It has been a journey. I have learned so much about myself in these 14 weeks; gratitude goes out to all who inspired me and continue to walk this path of self-discovery!

I was walking around a lake yesterday, thinking about how I used to always get stoned before any ‘nature time’. I had formerly thought that pot gave me a stronger connection to the surroundings, but now I realize that was not true. As I breathed in the fresh autumn air, I was filled with feelings of deep empowerment: “I am small in this world, but I control my own destiny.”

Previously (for the better part of 2 decades) my moods were under the control of dried plant parts in a baggie (pathetic!). I am taking charge here. Deciding to make a positive self-transformation is no small task: there are tears, panic, anxiety and pain. Working through these takes self-discipline. I have had to dig deep, beneath layers of immaturity and escapism, to my core. I have been forced to reach out and admit my own vulnerability. It has been worth it. I have a stronger sense of optimism about my life than has ever existed previously.

To all who are struggling with withdrawals, cravings, and depression, this goes out to you. I have been to the edge, looked over, and quested into the abyss of self-doubt. I send a message back to you: it gets better, it gets lighter, and the dark night will finally pass.

See you in the sunshine of clarity!

Thank you for starting this thread. Last night, after reading through it, I realized again all the benefits of quitting.

I smoked daily, from morning till night for the last 10 years solid. I did quit last year and stayed off it for about 5 months, but took that faitfull hit and sunk right back into it.

Anyways, this thread is amazing and I experienced all of these things before when I quit smoking, unfortunately the relapse of puffing made me forget it all. I am looking forward to everything that comes with quitting and since I did it once, I know I can do it again. This time I will NOT allow myself to slip up and smoke again. Thanks again for the awesome thread and knowledge to all that contributed.

Well one thing about quitting and starting back up, now you know like alot of us learned that we can't have one toke. It then leads to the 24/7 pot smoking again. I smoked daily for the last 29 years, but have been pot free for over 23 months, and I know one hit off a joint can not happen, I am an addict to the marijuana. So TiredOfWeed, welcome to the group, stay with us,we will encourage you, while you encourage others too. Good luck, hope I talk to you again, take care. Love and peace to all, Tina

I think that one of the reasons those of us who quit successfully still check in and post at this forum is that we want to extend a hand to others. I am now at Day 110 without weed, and feeling better than ever. I must admit that I can’t respond to every person who needs help, as I have a busy life with job, child, partner, etc . . .

Part of quitting that keeps getting better for me is the social aspect. It’s ironic, as I thought that weed was helping me bond with others. I now have the confidence to get out and meet new people. New courses are much less intimidating without the haze on the brain!

The intention of this thread is to be an archive of all things positive related to quitting. It is especially for those who are just quitting (so they have something to look forward to) or those of us who need to be reminded of all the gains we’ve made.

It’s quite bizarre passing through the different phases of quitting. Withdrawal seems like a distant blurry memory. Craving it is not even a big one any more. After about 10 weeks without it starts to seem like “life as usual”, but with a regained sharpness of mind that was dulled for so long.

So glad to hear all success stories, and offer solace to those who are suffering.

Peace

hi every1 and welcome to tiredofweed,
its good to hear your sucess stories from wakinglife and flowerchild, 4 wks today for me and ive had ups and downs'

ive not noticed much diference to my attitude but my close family keep saying im like a new person, still got a long journey ahead of me tho.

ive been getting spells of happyness sometimes only for 5 mins but it still feels good because for the past 7 years it was like a fake happyness that i got when i got some good weed,
i hope to look back over this if im ever close to a relapse cos i never want to fall into that trap again, its been a tough month and dont want to have to do this twice.
good luck to every1 else doing this and well done to people taking the 1st step

ive not noticed much diference to my attitude but my close family keep saying im like a new person, still got a long journey ahead of me tho.

Four weeks, congratulations! Believe what your family is telling you, it is hard to see it for ourselves, but they notice and build on what they tell you! You too can be a success story. I know the month has been tough for you...been there done that. But let me reassure, everyday will get better. I know what you mean about not wanting to go through a first month again. Take that as a lesson and a reason not to get high again. You DON'T want to go back and have to relive those 30 days. I hope you stay on the site and let others help and support you, this place is free therapy, for the mind and soul. Wishing you the best, good luck staying pot free. Talk to you later, take care. Love and peace, Tina

Hey fresh start,

Just wanted to say congrats on being 4wks free- that's awesome! My friends and family also notice a big difference in me- sometimes we need outsiders to tell us how we appear to the world.

Like you, I hope to look back at my posts if I ever dare consider smoking again.

Be proud!

Here are some of the benefits I feel now that I have been clean for almost 4 months, after about 35 years of daily smoking, in random order:
1. I look better. My skin has a healthier glow and more resilience, and the dark circles under my eyes are lighter.
2. I am finally reading all those books that I bought but never read. In the last 4 months I've read 6 books, which is more that I read in the last few years.
3. I'm better at controlling other aspects of my health: I cook healthier meals, I exercise more.
4. I am not always behind at work and trying to catch up and making excuses. The quality of my work is better.
5. I have much more energy. I used to be tired all the time. I would want to go back to bed two hours after waking up. I had high hopes for what I wanted to do every day, but ended up wasting the day in front of the computer, the TV, or in bed. Now I regularly go to movies, read a book in a cafe, meet up with friends.
6. I am more present for my family and friends.
7. I feel smarter. I can carry on an intelligent conversation with other people instead of stumbling over my words and feeling like I sound like an idiot.
8. I don't have to stress every day about wanting to stop smoking weed.
9. I've been able to buy some things I've wanted with the money I've saved, like new clothes, expensive lotions, and a massage.
10. I don't feel like everything I have to do is a struggle.
11. I am not depressed anymore. That surprised me because I considered weed my anti-depressant, but it turns out it was my depressant.
12. I am less stressed out. I would have stewed and stressed over things that I just accept now.
13. I don't have to worry about hiding the smell from whoever might come to the door, my coworkers, my family, the police, the public.
14. I can dream again. After I got over the scary vivid dreams, I started having normal dreams again which can be pretty entertaining.
15. I don't feel like I'm a loser anymore.

It seems the longer I stop, the more benefits I notice. I'll add to this list as the new benefits come up.

Why bother giving up? all those reasons don't add up, if you can't get no greens get a bit of brown down you, sure there must be some of that up in London, bet your getting really violent, you must of hurt a few people in that month, I gave up for 3 days had a bad road rage incident and very violent tendancies so got back on the greens, i hate people that take coke you haven't mentioned that, did you only smoke of an evening or are you an allday bloke?

To smokemagner.....

Why talk about something you don't know bout mate?
It's clear the furthest you've come is 3 days without so you have no idea what it's like to be clean of weed propa and feel the benefits, until you do why don't you keep your stoner hazed up opinions to yourself, in stead of tryin to drag people who have made a choice on their own back into where you are, maybe I smell a wee bit of jealousy goin on..... you know what they say bout misery and company don't ya mate?
What is that b*llocks about about the violence??????where did you suck that one out of? acually i probs don't wanna know....It is typical(as I used to do it myself) to think what you do about spliff, you ain't nuthin special, trust me....Why do you hate people that take coke, sounds pretty judgemental to me, is that what you are? also a huge generalisation, which only shows a lack of intelligence...perhaps you need to figure out why you got those violent tendencies in the first place, it's obvious that stopping weed didn't cause them, simply smoking stopped them from happening cos you were to baked and lazy to act on them.....what does it matter if a person smokes in the eveningsor all day....sorry mate I'm sure you used to arguing your case with people who have good intentions but have not smoked weed before, it won't work here mate, take a good look around all of us here have been smoking loads for years, so I reckon we might just know a little bout what we're talkin of.... I personally smoked for 14 years of my life most of that all day everyday..........so come on tell me something I don't know bout spliff, I've been clean for almost a month now and see the benefits first hand, until you can do the same(and 3 days ain't gonna cut it) then in my opinion your comments are pretty much made up........
Anyways mate, maybe, just maybe one day you will have a moment of clarity, actually scrap that I think you already have.....why is it that you decided to quit for the 3 days in the first place???????? also how did you find this place and bother reading???? just cos you didn't make it doesn't mean you have to get angry wif those that have......
But let me tell you this as well, if you do fancy givin it another go sometime
I'll be the first to say welcome and give you any advice/support/encouragement or just listen if you want....
Good luck mate

Sarita,

You've composed a list that helps remind me of why I quit! It is great to read about how widespread the benefits of quitting can be. I look back on the early days of struggle, and realise now that I had to work through the tough times to get into a better frame of mind.

I totally hear you about the depression: I honestly feel like I was making myself depressed by smoking weed, because I sure don't feel depressed now. I have noticed improvements in all areas of my life.

Loving reading about how well people are doing after the initial withdrawals (first few weeks) have passed!

Peace

hi all thanks for everyones support its far more than i expected and it helps alot.
your right flowerchild its like free therapy, it helps put things into perspective
sarita your list of benefits is great im benefiting from alot more than i thought, i can walk down the road without feeling like an idiot and a social outcast, and feel alot more confident talking to people, its mad how when your high u think weed is an anti depresant but it was the cause of most of my depresion 2

smokemagners yes i smoked all day everyday for about 5 years and i realised u have to really want to quit or its a waste of time, yes i had alot of anger but now i realise i think i was angry at myself for getting into that position, u cant wake up 1 day and automaticly stop its hard work and u need to go through the bad to get to the good, i feel 10 times better now ive quit than i did when i was smoking and i now realise how nieve i was to think weed was the answer to my problems.
good luck everyone i am actualy beggining to enjoy this journey knowing thers more good to come out of it, take care

smokemagners wrote:Why bother giving up? all those reasons don't add up, if you can't get no greens get a bit of brown down you, sure there must be some of that up in London, bet your getting really violent, you must of hurt a few people in that month, I gave up for 3 days had a bad road rage incident and very violent tendancies so got back on the greens, i hate people that take coke you haven't mentioned that, did you only smoke of an evening or are you an allday bloke?

Why bother giving up? Because we want to live our lives without depending on marijuana. Getting really violent, I don't think so, just a little pissed at people like you. You gave it up for 3 days and had to go back on the green, hmmmm sounds like someone has a habit and or an addiction! Your welcome to stay on this site, but I don't think your going to have the dialogue that you want. 9 out of 10 people here are going to think your views on pot don't belong here. I came from a site in Aug., that had alot of pro pot people. Let me give you instructions on how to get there. Just google in "Marijuana the most commonly used drug". Go there and have discussions about smoking pot and how good it is. This forum is to help those who decided to quit. Good luck, goodbye, Tina

oh thats nice innit, air a few views and i got a load of septics ganging up on me. There is nothing wrong with weed, and once youu've smoked it for long enough, you can't force yourself to give up. abstinance is something that just happens many of my ex smoker mates say that they just got bored with it, they don't miss it, if i can't smoke weed i'll chainsmoke fags which is disgusting, also when you haven't had a drug for a week or so and then take it, the effects are like the first again, it's like aiming a catapault at your head and pulling it further back every day, the longer you leave it the more it's going to take your head of.

Alright smokemagners, I ain't no septic get me?
Anyways that term is derogatory so keep it to yourself mate....
Abstinence doesn't just happen bruv, we gotta work f*ckkin hard at it so don't undermine mine and others hard work with your b*llock yeah...
Why do you think you can't force yourself to give it up? sounds like alot of people who first post on here and hey look, we did mate, so till you can talk from experience, just don't talk....
The reason you get so much sh*t from people here is because you undermine us and do no help to those trying to quit spliff, which is really the purpose of this site innit.......
Fing is matey and you don't have to believe me when I say this, if I had found this site before I realised how f*cked up I was gettin from puff, I would have written the same kinda stuff as you, so I don't think you're a d*ck or nuthin.......
Why do you insist on posting here though, is it because by questioning others views you are really trying to reinforce your own?
Look mate, I know loads of people who aren't bored of puff, but who still want to quit, why? because they realise it is messin them up...
please consider what I'm sayin without letting your own emotions and feelings get in the way....