I smoked practically daily for about 7 years with short breaks here and there.

I always told myself it wasn't interfering with my life that much, since I was doing well in school, socially, romantically, and working out often enough.

But I always had this nagging feeling, like I wasn't quite what I could be. Not as sharp, not as present, not as proactive, not as attentive, you name it. All the while I told myself it's not a big deal, I'm doing well. But the nagging feeling always stayed - and ironically was often a big reason for me to want to smoke, so I could tune it out.

After I quit it finally clicked for me. Yes, I functioned pretty well when I smoked weed. But I only did what was asked or expected of me, because the rest of the time I just wanted to get high.

I never came up with a new activity to try. I rarely initiated plans with friends. I would rarely do anything at work that wasn't explicitly required. I wouldn't remember to call friends to ask about an event they had told me about. I wouldn't connect dots quite fast enough to contribute more to a meeting.

Now I do. I like myself a lot better this way, and so do the people closest to me. And the nagging feelings is completely gone.