Quit Stuff

[presentjoy]

Quit smoking
Quit moderate drinking
Quit caffeine back

That was back in May or whenever it was. I'm not big on dates or counting days or anything.

I feel so much better. No caffeine, while hard because of withdrawal headache that lasted a couple days, I sleep better and feel more even. There's no morning jolt and afternoon crash.

I'm biking and I have more lung capacity.
Moods are very different. I feel more, which feels harder, but it's clearer, and like there's opportunity to work with that, rather than drown it all in nicotine and alcohol.

It felt drastic, to be sure, but we were in major crisis, and so tried to drop the less healthy coping strategies.
Feeling proud of this.

 

[ashdawn8287]

I am so proud of you presentjoy! I can feel your happiness and sense of accomplishments. You are doing good by taking back control and taking back what has been taking. I am here cheering you on!

Seems like we do a lot of the same stuff. Hit me up if you ever want to talk about progression and your healing journey.

Flyaway is a good friend with the same attitude and motivation. :)

 

[presentjoy]

Thanks ashdawn, I do want to connect with more people to talk about progress and such. I feel like I've been slogging it out for 10 years in the mental health system, but like I'm starting this new chapter, with new knowledge and self-advocacy skills.

Thanks for your encouragement :)

 

[ashdawn8287]

I feel the exact same way. Educating yourself with this latest things are great. As well as diagnostic issues, motivations of the healthcare system, I think you get my drift. I have been all around the healthcare system for 12 years. Taking control of it yourself is important.

With healing (besides books) I find the best things to do for yourself are free. Nonprofit organizations are great because they are not money motivated and really do have your best interests at heart.

Flyaway and I are doing this trauma of abuse workbook. I got mine for free at the ywca. She had to pay for hers and order it online. She should be getting hers soon. We are going to go through it together. You are welcomed to join. Its a step by step workbook for sexual abuse/assault created by 2 women doctors who created there own therapy techniques for sexual abuse/assault. I don't know if you were sexual abused or what but it teaches you how to develop different skills, that's honestly important to any women.

I joined a free group at the ywca. This is the book they use. My psychiatrist said it is a very powerful and spiritual journey that he has never seen before.

Once I get to the book ill post the titke and authors and if you are interested.

 

[KrispyKreme]

Wow PresentJoy!

You sound AMAZING :)!

I am so proud of you and so so happy for you! Keep it up!!!!!

You give me so much hope :) I hope I can reach where you are one day.

Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[Philippa]

Cutting out all those things really does make a huge difference. I did the same years ago, though I have taken up smoking weed on occasion now, and have been taking a break from not having coffee or cigarettes or alcohol in moderation now...but I think when you have created such a routine of being clean of these substances it can make your system even stronger if or when you do decide to indulge now and then.

Keep up the good work though. I know the feeling you spoke of, and it is really such a wonderful feeling. I think it is also very self-loving and caring for your body.

 

[mamachick]

Great job

 

[Flyaway]

You're AMAZING Presentjoy! that is a HUGE achievement in such a short amount of time!!!

Have you got onto herbal teas yet? ...they help your body feel sooo good! Peppermint in the morn, any number of flavours during the day (I looove my 'PUKKA' brand), camomile before bed, rosehip during that time of the month...

Keep it up! :)

 

[presentjoy]

Shucks everyone, thanks :)

Because we were in crisis, it honestly felt like the same as if suddenly our kidneys failed and we had to stop eating something kind of toxic. It felt like, wow, if we don't stop these things, we will keep spiralling. I can be kind of grateful for that, even though I wouldn't wish to go through the crisis of April and May and June again.


Yes! Pukka has this wonderful Relax tea that I really like, it's got marshmallow root in it. And then there's this other organic indian spice tea that is caffeine free, it's licorice root. I don't like that anise flavour much but this tea is fantastic, it's spicy and i put a little almond milk in it, and it reminds me of chai. Also Trader joe's has a roiboos red Chai that is totally caffeine free. I did buy decaf recently, which has a bit of caffeine but not much. I plan to stop that again. I think it was better when I drank tea, it's much less acidic. I can't get it together to cold-brew decaf coffee.

Thank you all for your support <3

 

[Flyaway]

Lol! You're onto it- brilliant! I love the licorice root too :happy:

 

[Powder]

Wow, that is a lot to take control of, as well as adding exercise. I bet you feel stronger now. Thank you for the inspiration. I keep getting stronger and taking two steps forward and one big step back. Gotta just keep going and trying to get strong again. Thanks!

 

[presentjoy]

I have my moments lately of wanting to smoke. So far have been able to resist it. It's not easy, when it feels like the floor is racing away from me and I start to feel like I need to do something to get back. There are soooo many alternatives to going and buying a pack of cigarettes that will just make me feel worse anyway. Just wanted to say that it's still hard.

Muse, it really helped to set a mindset to how much those things were destabilizing. Like, I'm taking medication which the addictions were counteracting, adding to anxiety and activation. So trying to constantly seek the calm, relaxing, non-stimulating activities made those behaviours illogical.

I don't know if that makes sense.

I'm trying to hang onto it because right now is really really hard.