@Captain24 Mm it's tough when the people around us just can't understand where we're at. And sometimes unfortunately when people don't understand, they sometimes react poorly, or just try to be all 'business as usual', which can be very painful for us. Like I've had to accept that my parents will never be able to be mental health supports for me, cos they just don't understand, and at times they will make it about their own emotions rather than being able to sit with me and mine. Big difference being that I don't live with them though, which certainly complicates things. But hopefully your mum will be able to work her stuff out, and you can always ask/tell her what being supportive would look and feel like for you. Even just stuff like "It's okay if you don't know what to say, sometimes a hug goes a long way" or like, "It would really mean a lot to me if you could ask me how I'm going or remind me from time to time that you do care".
Oh yeah it absolutely gets easier! Takes like a month I think for the nicotine to work it's way out of the system? Don't quote me on that lol. And also finding other things to turn to when stressed or having really bad cravings - chewing gum, chewing ice cubes (stimulates pain receptors, which releases dopamine), fidget toys, having a sweet drink to sip on - really helps. It's akin to the concept of urge surfing for dealing with self-harm urges; eventually the craving will pass, it's just about occupying your brain in the meantime. Nowadays I can be around people smoking and never even think about wanting one. And the smell! Ugh it's worse to my nose now than it was before I ever started smoking! It's a huge deterrent in itself.
When I tell you I was bad, I mean picking durries off the ground kinda bad. If I can quit, you can too 😎😉
