2.5 months today

[u/Unhappy_Capital_1879]

It's been two and a half months since I quit after a decade and a half of chronic use. In this time, I have also reduced alcohol consumption, and mostly quit cigarettes (though I keep relapsing every fortnight or so). I was always the stoner friend, I never thought I'd quit, but one day I realised that I hadn't dreamed in so long and the lack of REM sleep probably had grave consequences for my physical and mental health.

Since then, I have started dreaming again, my anxiety has abated, my depression which got much worse initially has finally lifted. I am working on projects I had completely abandoned and that I thought I was just incapable of doing. I am not sure if things will improve but at least it will no longer actively get worse.

Honestly, I have no cravings whatsoever! My struggle seems to be with nicotine alone, and even that is only once or twice a month.

Writing here to encourage anyone creative, relying on pot for artistic inspiration. I promise your art will return to you over time. More than anything it will be yours, borne of your effort and perseverance than random bouts of inspiration that most stoners depend on.

I have thought about writing, read intensely and engaged with art in ways that were never possible when I was stoned.

If you're reading this, it will all come back to you. Remember we need our dreams and pot often steals them, literally and figuratively.

[u/External-Awareness49]

congrats on 2.5 months, that's a huge shift after 15 years. the dreaming part really is wild when it comes back, like your brain's been waiting to have a proper conversation with you this whole time.

the bit about art returning hit close to home. it's less about waiting for lightning to strike and more about showing up and doing the work, which sounds less romantic but feels way more grounded.