Leaderboard

You guys!!! Thanks a lot for remembering my very special day! I have to admit I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for the quit smoking forums and I know I am not really giving back much for the last 1 or two years. Honestly thinking about smoking doesn’t help me much and I have been thinking about quitting the forum for good as well. I think I am not going to do that soon just to keep in touch with the beautiful people here. Anyway, short message for newbies: there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel. Just keep on hanging on!

I’m now on day 18 of the quit. I had my last cigarette at 5:00 am on October 14, 2019. I had just turned 46 a few weeks earlier and I realized that I had been smoking for 30 years- a sobering thought. So on a Monday morning a couple a weeks after my birthday, I was heading to work and I saw one cigarette left in my pack. I lit that final one up and decided not to buy another pack. So, a little back story- I started smoking at 16 and it became a pack a day habit until the birth of my daughter in 2008. Went on Chantix and was able to knock out the worst of the physical symptoms, but I would still have one or two at the bar. After a year or so, the one or two at the bar became a couple in the car while driving to work, one on the way home, one or two on a solo trip to the store. I became a regular closet smoker- never smoking in front of my wife and kids but smoking as much as I could when I was not around them. My kids (who are 11 and 9) still have no idea; they knew I used to, but I have been able to keep my current smoking a secret from them. I want to come clean to my family eventually, but first I want to achieve a good length of quit- maybe a year. Because I wasn’t smoking heavily, the quit hasn’t been that bad so far. The major issue I’m having is the metal fog at work in the mornings. The bulk of my smoking would be before work and I’m sure that my body is missing the jolt of adrenaline first thing in the morning. I have been avoiding going to bars, I’ve taken off two of the last three weeks of my weekly pool league, and I had left later in the morning for work so that I only have time for the drive and not any extra time to be tempted to go buy a pack. I have only been seriously tempted once- a few nights ago I was drinking at home and I was tempted to go to my local bar and get a drink and find someone outside to bum a smoke from. I quickly resisted the urge by remembering that I promised myself that I was stronger than this. I realize this is something that if I don’t do it now, I may be looking back in the future when it’s too late regretting not taking this step.

I just wanted to post after the day I had yesterday. I woke up after having the worst sleep with dreams/nightmares. And honestly the day just went down from there. I pretty much cried over anything yesterday. On my way to work, at work in my office, on the way home, I lost all of my emotions at my daughter's school in the principals office (he must think I am a nut case) and then cried when my husband got home and I told him about my day. I don't know if it was related to my quit (day 3) but holy cow was I mess yesterday. Has anyone else experienced this during the first few days of their quit or is it not related and I am just losing my mind? I already feel better today, woke up and of course I want a smoke, but I come on here now and read with my morning coffee instead of smoking. I hope it was just an off day yesterday, but seriously I was an emotional mess yesterday and I have not experienced emotions like that in a very long time. But I also have to say I am so PROUD of myself, the thoughts of stopping to get a pack were strong during my crying and sadness, but I did not give in to them - or (and this is amazes me) give them much attention. I want this quit - I am tired of all the effort I put into getting time to smoke in a day.

I will not take a puff today.

I am overwhelmed by your responses. Thankyou so much. It will take me some time to work out this website but I have a feeling that it will help me in maintaining my quit. Will be in touch thanks again

NOPE

Congratulations on your 3 years Hope2Nope!

Happy Halloween!

Nope! Happy Halloween

G’day NOPE for me

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever & Happy Halloween!

Hi H2N Many Congratulations well done.

Hi Heather, I'm glad you're past your bad day. Like Jordan, I was more irritated at everything than sad. Does your work know you quit? Sometimes it helps to tell the people you're always around that you've quit so they'll cut you some slack. I'm glad you came and posted about it. Writing it down helps get it off your chest. And you help others who are going through the same thing along the way

Thank you so much everyone for your support - I am happy to know I am not alone in the CRAZY town I experienced yesterday. I think this quote from Sazerac is part of my journey - as soon as I read it - it hit home On a deeper level, smoking hid many issues, instead of honestly dealing with these we often just went for a smoke in our avoidance. These may surface and with your new freedom, your new trust in yourself, and with your new self awareness you will have the tools to examine and deal with anything that pops up. I think I smoked a lot to avoid things at work and at home. I hope I do not have too many of these crying days though or my work is going to think I am going nuts.

NOPE!

I told my husband I would not be making any major decisions for a while either. I was in such a fog!! couldn't remember stuff!! Yep they call it HELL WEEK for a reason!!

Yes Heather!. You are still in hell week. The first week you can expect your emotions to be all over the place. Just know it gets better each day. Be proud of yourself. Stay strong.

NOPE!!

Congratulations on your 3 years

Nope, I don't smoke anymore!!!!

Hi H2N!! Congratulations on 3 years of smobriety!!

Congratulations on three years of freedom Hope2Nope.

NOPE...HAPPY...

NOPE...

There's no more hoping, you're straight up NOPING! Congratulations my friend on your third year smoke free Any plans for celebrating this awesome achievement?

NOPE - Not One Puff Ever. Life is much better leaving the poison of nicotine addiction behind you. Please pledge to not smoke. You will be glad you did.

Wow I am almost at the 1 month quit experience! And it is.. eh yeah.. eventful to say the least. My first week was an awesome high, my second week was a mix of coughs, colds, and mixed feelings.. Then the germany trip, week 3, that has set me back.. the ads and the availability got into my head, the romancing started again.. emotions flared up and I have been trapped inside my head. I couldn't stop crying two days ago.. I almost convinced myself this quiting thing was not something I was strong enough for (-yes *ding ding ding* all the red flags there) I had to force myself to pledge... but it got easier and I can actually socialize again and tell everyone I am sti here, on the train... The only by-product now is that I have been so tense that my muscles are hurting like mad.. so I need to go and get a massage... which my autistic brain hates! (Like dentists and hairdressers.. or shopping in general.... )

NOPE -- Not Today!!!!!!!!!!!!

That front produced some stout winds but no tornadoes here in East Tennessee. The temperature has already dropped 31 degrees here today and it looks like we'll get below freezing tonight.

I'm glad you're not quitting the forum, we would miss you, xoxo

Welcome - You are ahead of me by a couple of weeks, but I am with you on the closet smoking thing. My family knows and are behind me in my quit, but I was not an open smoker at work or in some social situations. In some ways it makes it a bit easier, because once I get to work the cravings are not as bad - since I often spent my work day smoke free (but in withdrawal) by the end of the day I was dying to get out of work and then I would smoke one after another in the car. I have a 45 min commute and this was my favourite smoking time. I even drove slower to get more smoking time in. This week I am driving as fast as I can to work - I treat myself to a Starbucks which keeps my hands busy. It is nice not to have to worry about stinking anymore. I used to spray my clothes and hair with frebreeze every time I got out of my car and the breath and - well we closet smokers know the routine. But I am determined to beat this addiction once and for all. I had a bad day yesterday and thought I was losing my mind, and it wasn't even smoking thoughts it was just anything - made me cry. But the wonderful people tell me it is part of the process and part of the journey. When I think about smoking a lot I come here and read or post or both. Until I feel that inner strength build back up. I never thought it would really work but it does and I am THANKFUL Congrats again and take it one day at a time.

Happy Halloween To All!!!!

Great job Hope2Nope, congrats on 3 good years!!!

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Job Hope2Nope! Congratulations!

NOPE

Yay!!! Party time!!! Well done Hope2Nope!!!

Hi old man coffee, welcome to our train of quitters The mental fog is one of the worse quit symptoms. Most of us had to deal with it too. Try sucking on something sweet or drinking juice. I was hooked on soft peppermint puffs my whole first year I too stayed close to home my first month quitting and only ventured out when my never smoker husband could go with me because I didn't trust myself to not stop and buy a pack. Missing a few games of pool is a small price to pay for kicking this addiction after all 18 days is fantastic so be super proud of yourself. We have a great group here so I hope you stick around and check out all our many forums. Lots to do to educate yourself as well as keep your mind off smoking

Welcome aboard Old man Coffee! Congratulations on your 18 day quit!!! Well done!

I am just nodding my head through all the posts. It will get better! And, I won't lie, it will feel like it's getting worse at times (it doesn't, but addiction will tell you it is) Soak up all the cheers, words and tips here and you will feel stronger and not so alone. I am just ahead of ya, in a few weeks you will be on my spot, and if I can do it you can too!!! Stick to the forum, stay in the now!! You are doing an awesome job!

Congratulations on your quit Old Man Coffee ! and welcome to our merry little band of nicotine free creatures. You are right, you ARE stronger than nicotine addiction but, you need to stand by your commitment to NOPE (Not One Puff Ever). Learning about and understanding nicotine addiction will help you immeasurably in building a successful quit. You may find this thread helpful 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum To Quit Smoking and here is a thread about The Great Smoke Free Mental Fog Let us know any other issues you are experiencing, not only will there be commiseration and information but, your experience will serve to help others in the same situation. The burden of nicotine addiction and the burden of 'hiding' it from your family will be lifted. You are choosing Freedom now. You quit smoking !

No, you're not crazy and yes, almost all of us went through some variations of the same, and yes, yes, it is temporary, and saner days are on the horizon. You are the middle of some of the very hardest days where everything is new, but it's a great sign that you are still able to be proud of your tremendous accomplishment. Irritability was unfortunately my specialty, so you are probably easier to be around than some. How exciting that day 3 is behind you and most of the nicotine is out of your system, which means you are officially on the the road to healing now. Come here to yell, vent, cry, laugh, or whatever it takes to keep moving forward, and remember that while things will begin to improve soon, this is not always a linear process so you just have to ride out the twists and turns along the way.

Definitely not going crazy ....what your experiencing is normal .... Your body has been fed poisons for years ...it has to adjust ,which it will in time ...every day is a step nearer . My sleeping pattern was all over the place ..coming here 24 hrs a day some days . I also had a punching pillow .I beat the crap out of it ... We say take it one day at a time...because every day is different... Our brains are out worst enemies sometimes ... Come here to scream and vent ....most of us have been there ...

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Awww So sorry to hear about your day. But look, its a new day and you haven't smoke!!!!! Keep going my friend!! You can do it!!!

Welcome! Congrats on your quit that is OUTSTANDING!!

Nope!!!

Congrats, Hope2Nope! Hope you celebrate this awesome achievement and KTQ!

Congratulations, @Hope2Nope on your Three Years of Freedom ! and thank you for sharing your quit with us.