I've been bouncing back and forth about how much I want and or need to moderate, but something that shifted things completely for me is changing my relationship to weed by changing the activities I do while high.
Although I smoked before the pandemic, that's when I became a regular user, and so my stoned activities generally consisted of watching youtube in bed and snacking. I also had some greening out moments during the pandemic and in general became less comfortable being high out in the world/around other people. My feelings of 'I don't like how much I smoke' have been wrapped up the feelings of shame of spending too much time bedrotting or watching stupid shit online.
Along with experimenting with different (more moderate thc, higher cbd) strains, I've little by little started to diversify the activities I do while high which has made me feel a lot better about my usage. Going for walks, doing small errands like getting groceries, doing creative things like drawing, writing, or baking, all make me unashamed of the time I've spent stoned, and the more time I spend high in public, the more comfortable I get- it's almost therapeutic, because I can practice letting go of my fear of how I'm perceived by others- my brain says "they can definitely tell you're high" and i reply "so what?"
This may seem obvious to some, but I struggle with black and white thinking, so this has felt like revelation for me :-)
Cannabis helps me tend to my shame in a way that hasn’t been accessible prior. I resonate that offers compassionate support to feel and look at things with an expansive heart and creativity rather than binary thinking.
I am also considering how cannabis with isolation and stacked habits does exacerbate some of my stuckness; and when used with outside time, chores and hobbies how it can help me to even make it out the front door (sensory overload, anxiety, some agoraphobia), or do the thing (chore) or allow myself to enjoy the thing (hobby, time in shared space).
It requires such an inner journey of discernment and self-understanding to try for a boundaried and honest relationship to cannabis.
Love this ❤️ Same
This resonates with me. Overall, I’ve cut down a lot and do not use cannabis daily anymore (which has felt possible because my health has improved a bit and my pain is less consistent/intense). Sometimes I am low energy and only have the capacity to watch YouTube when I smoke. I’m ok with that as long as it’s not the only way I engage with cannabis.
My favorite ways to use cannabis involve connecting with my creative flow. For me that often means singing or zen tangling. I am also working to find that deep connection and access to my creative flow outside of cannabis use, but so far this is my best doorway into it.
My most consistent use of cannabis these days is to mitigate my insomnia with the use of gummies. I don’t ever feel high from that, just (sometimes) am able to get sleepy and fall asleep. Sometimes not though haha
This is such a great perspective and one I can totally relate to. If I veg out, eat a bunch, and watch crap online when I'm high the time slips away and feels completely wasted.
But if I garden, do chores, cook, or write, I feel sooo much better.
I totally get in to shame spirals (a product of my youth, including strict upbringing and an eating disorder) and sometimes tie weed to shame. But you've made me think about the fact that the weed itself isn't shameful, it's what I DO when I'm on it that can feel that way.
I been using it before attending yoga classes and makes each class feel amazing. Only used to eat and watch YouTube but now I basically exercise, stretch and meditate habitually with it. As a result I’ve hit a year of consistency which has obvious amazing benefits (just search benefits of yoga). Weed deffo made the journey fun and easier. Eventually I’ll reduce amount use by first cutting the smoking to edibles then reduce edibles. If I get to a place where I use weed on the rare occasion in downtime then that’ll be great
Great POV, cheers mate. I love going out for groceries when I'm stoned! Gives me inspiration for recipes.
I’m really working on changing my relationship with weed right now and this is exactly what I’m trying to do. I have a tendency to end up doomscrolling on reels and social media when I’m high and I’m trying to avoid that. It seems like it gets me spiraling even more than usual. I think weed is also definitely more enjoyable when paired with another activity (like the ones you mentioned) rather than mindless phone use
damn this hits too close to home. i feel like i do nothing but smoke, then watch youtube in bed. before work, after work, on my days off. very occasionally i do go on a walk or clean my kitchen or something. it’s nice to see you taking those diversified activities as a win rather than judging yourself (like i do…). i admire your mindset!
I'm on medical but I still want to keep my usage healthy as possible.
I make sure to do something useful every time I vape. Either a work out, cleaning or other random chores. Sitting around on it wastes a lot of the potential cannabis can have for enhancing physical activity.