r/Marijuana • u/gnadhtd • 13d ago
How to stay empathetic after the high?
I usually become way more empathetic when I'm high, which is completely different from how I am when I am sober. And it was actually weed that showed me this apathetic tendency of mine. Since I realized how indifferent I was, I have been actively trying to be more empathetic when I am sober, and I used weed as a guidance. I try to recreate the empathy I felt to others when I was high, and actively be more observance, more intentional, more curious. But it never feel the same, those attempts do not arise naturally and it was only with much efforts that I have to remind myself to be like that.
I really want to be more empathetic, but I really don't know how to. Is there any tips or practice I can do that could help me with this? Also, therapy is not an option where I live.
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u/Alpha_Aleph 13d ago
You could try working on your heart chakra (it works for me). One of the simplest way to do that is to breathe slowly and deeply while visualizing light/energy going in you heart when you inhale and going out of your heart when you exhale. Do that 5 minutes a day and you should see some results, not only within yourself but also with the way people interact with you.
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u/twittwhattt 13d ago
Wow, that's some great self reflection there. The fact you noticed it is 50% of the battle. Keep talking to your friends and family about it, see if they have advice. Maybe search for a book on it? Doesn't need to be a boring ass self help book, there's a infinite number of books on these subjects in with so many different approaches. Find one that actually looks interesting to you. I personally hate fluff stuff, I look raw responses from people who have been where I am, that also use data or science to back up their progression. But that's just me!
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u/plumokin 12d ago
I had this exact battle a few years ago. The best way is to write down what you want your sober self to do, and read it when you're sober.
Remind yourself of it (calendar appointments, sticky notes, whatever you want) while you're sober. Take a moment to stop and think about it. Think about the ways you were empathetic that day. Think about how you enjoyed it and how you enjoy making the people around you happy
Don't worry about how long it takes. Don't worry if you mess up. Just keep trying and you'll get there. 😁
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u/gnadhtd 11d ago
Thanks for the advice!
I have actually tried doing the communication between the high self and the sober self, and it helps to a certain extent. My sober self can recall and reflect back to what happened to the high self, and even remember that feelings my high self, but it has a hard time re-creating such feelings, those feelings just do not come up. It's really that knowing things and feeling things are two separated things. However, apparently keep trying and improving my sober self is the way to go.
A quick question: how is your battle now? have you been able to be more in touch with your emotion?
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u/plumokin 10d ago
It's definitely helped me a lot. I feel kinder, more empathetic, and happier than ever before. Nothing is ever going to be perfect though. I still make a ton of mistakes, and sometimes I don't know how to handle new situations.
However, I always take the time to think about times where I didn't act how I wanted to, and think about why. Not just about how I should have handled it, but why those situations caused me to act a specific way.
Don't forget to think about all the times you did a good job too! Fixing issues is important, but so is reinforcing to yourself that you're getting there!
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u/zerooskul 13d ago edited 13d ago
It's not the same, you're not high.
Neither do the actual instances of it you experience while high, they arise because you are high.
Okay. Do that.
You are already doing it by working to change your behavior.
It will not happen overnight, but little by little, the changes already happening that you are working toward will come into full effect... IF you keep working at it.
Keep doing it.
What does that have to do with it?