Hi Serenity. Everything in my life also told me I can't. But a whole life in the past, and a whole life in the future is an awful lot of time to stack up on your shoulders right now. The present moment is stark enough without the numb sheath of weed.

So as they say, "one day at a time." Over and over.

I know, it's tough. Especially when we compare similar days like today when we enjoyed weed in the past. All of a sudden we feel robbed of our pleasure. Or at least robbed of our lack of more pain .
But even smoking weed is only a perpetuation of suffering. It stacks up the un-dealt-with responsibilities of owning our drama; smoking hurts us physically, emotionally, interpersonally, financially, socially, energetically.

For me to remind myself this helps me stay away from it. Perhaps you could also begin a diary to remind yourself every day of why you quit, what your goals are (set very specific baby-step and long-rang goals). Gather around you a support group of in-person sober people. Stay away from situations and people where you'd normally smoke.
Find alternative ways to use your energy.

A cantankerous man once said, "If you put half as much energy into the solution as you put into the problem, you'll be okay."

Here was a key for me:

1.Choose the most awful, embarassing, degrading moment of what happens when you smoke.

2. Everytime the addictive voice speaks up about how "great" it would feel, and that you "can control it."

3. Stop and play that embarrassing tape, to the end.

Repeat from Step 2.

The idea that it's great and fun to be a stoner is a lie. Do you see any forums about people trying to become drug addicts? Addiction puts you under a spell, but you can break it.

Fill your head and time with positive energy. Go to the MA site, go to meetings, read inspirational literature. Do things to help you get and stay clean. Energy produces results.

You can do it. I was a big, long-term stoner and I've been clean over a year. I've never been happier or more confident or had so much fun. Being straight has freed up my energy to do so many wonderful things. I would never, ever go back to that horrible, sickening lifestyle. That's MY truth.

Hi Serenity! I am also 3 days sober and I agree it is very stressful!! I have smoked pot for over 30 years on a daily basis (minus when I was pregnant). My biggest problem is sleeping.....first night I didn't sleep at all and last night not much better! The days are ok cause I keep myself busy but it's the evenings when I sit and watch TV or try to relax. I constantly think of smoking. And then I dread bedtime.

With that being said I am determined to beat this!! It's gonna be hard but I know I can do it and so can you!!!! Just take it a moment at a time and a day at a time.

I joined a Yoga class and I've been excercising 3x a week. Excercising really helps! Go for walks too!! Keeping your mind busy is what makes it bearable!

I've learned alot about myself in the last year and I want to be 100% healthy, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Pot does not make that possible!! I'm not making any promises, all I can say is that I'm taking it one day at a time.

I'm here for you if you want to talk anytime!
You're stronger than you think!!

Thank you all so much for your advice. It really helps. Yesterday was 5 days today I'm struggling. Trying to stay positive. I'm finding a huge amount of awareness for my triggers- the number one trigger right now unfortunately is my ma. I love her dearly and I used to consider her one of my best friends- I still do sometimes- but i'm really really really angry with her. She was the only sober one in my life my entire life. She was the only one I thought I could depend on. She's a drunk now- we can all sit and debate the definition of drunk- its easier to call it that then to go into the explanation every time. She's been depressed for a couple of years now- she started dating this dude- my ex stepfather (meaning her ex husband) and she's madly in love with him- thing is he's married now with a child. She left him a while back and now she's back with him. She used to wail every night- and for those who don't know what I mean by wail - I mean cry out loud very very loudly. Thing is she drank the entire time. I told her so many times that drinking was like a pause or rewind button- you don't ever move forward mentally while drugging yourself- the growth stops or it moves backwards. I have tried EVERY way of being there for her. But it isn't even the pain she's going through that gets to me- its the utter delusion- she's miserable every day- and actually says out loud that the only thing that will make her better is if this dude leaves his wife for her. Btw- not gonna happen. I don't judge her- I've dated married men, I'm not proud of it- but I never claimed to be a saint. Its the delusion that pisses me off so much. She wont even acknowledge the possibility that maybe, just maybe- she's seeing this whole situation wrong- maybe she could find happiness if she just accepts that she loves this man and that she's not gonna be able to be with him right now. But she drinks daily, she refuses to accept that, AND she gets mean when I push the issue. She was really snobby and nasty when I was a child and I didn't like her much. Then she found God and everything was great for a while- she still had issues- but we all do- and she always had a kind word for me, a positive response when I was upset. Now- she's the very definition of negative- she's back to how she was when I was a kid and I'm furious- and I've tried so hard to shut up b/c of 2 reasons (1) she is nasty as hell to me if I bring it up and it hurts worse that way AND (2) She's going through so much that I don't want to kick her when she's down. But I feel so betrayed. She watched mine and my brother's life be ruined by alcohol and she decides that its not worth it to get help. She flat out told me the other night that the only way she would stop drinking is if this dude left his wife for her. Once again- never going to happen. She wont quit for me and my brother- but she'll quit for that- what a slap in the face. Worst part- she sees ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with it!!! I told her that i'm not staying quiet anymore and I'm not gonna sit there and watch her drink- no matter how bad it makes her feel when I don't hang out with her. Me and her used to have fun together. I miss her. Her drinking makes me feel hopeless and unimportant.

Suppose this might be a topic for Codependency group- but I know I'm not the only one who has triggers. What makes me hopeful is that I know now what needs to be done- as much as it breaks my heart. Next time I won't put myself in the position of feeling triggered