etd

Thanks for all the fierce words of encouragement. I'm at 22 hours without nicotine! I don't feel great but I don't feel as bad as I anticipated. I'm just allowing myself to rest, drink a lot of water and juice and eat what I want for the first 72 hours. I read a lot of old threads last night and watched some why quit videos so I am feeling ready for the fight.

It's the witching hour- relaxation smoke after work before picking up the kids. NOPE. Going to take deep breaths instead

thanks for the support and the encouragement. I am 14 hours in! no nrt, lots of fruit juice and healthy snacks and I did drink my coffee on the couch this am rather than sit on my front porch. The porch is a HUGE trigger for me and I am going to stay away for a bit. which is fine b/c it is getting humid down here. I figure once i have some time under my belt, I can enjoy my southern porch in a different, healthy way :) I also took a lunch break- which I rarely do and went home and let my dog out. and I forgot about the SOS board. I will definitely use it and reach out when I get a craving. Hope y'all have a great day!!

I'm all in- closing my eyes and jumping in. NOPE

I am starting to analyze why I am having such a hard time quitting cold turkey (I have tried NRT. It does work for me and honestly, I just want all the nicotine out of my system. I don't do well with moderation of any kind!). I think I am terrified of the anxiety that can be part of the withdrawal process. I am already an anxious person with a stressful situation at work right now that will be over (fingers crossed) in a few weeks, so I fear a HUGE spike in my symptoms. I don't have a lot of free time for exercise but I can try and get a run in with the jogger stroller after work or do some yoga in the am before the kids get up. I read through a bunch of old posts and I like the advice that was given on how to survive the first 72 hours. Any other advice on how to control the anxiety, especially if you already have an anxiety disorder (I am on an SSRI b/c I have depression, too- so that helps a bit. I guess that scares me as well b/c I know that nicotine is great for dopamine spikes and depression can be a withdrawal symptom). How did you all get over the fear and just do it?

Well, y'all, I made the pledge but then I smoked. I am totally powerless. I am going to try again tomorrow. My kids are with my ex overnight so I am going to get up and go for a long run to start the day off on the right foot, make the NOPE pledge again, drink lots of water, cry (if I need to), post here, read my list of reasons to quit over and over again if I have to and stay away from triggers. I have to really watch my cognitions, too and just tell myself over and over again "I am not a smoker, I am no longer a smoker. I do not smoke".

Amazing. I so needed this today. Thank you. I am grateful for you story and your strength and your experience.

NOPE

Thanks, guys. Well, I picked today as my quit date weeks ago and i used the lozenges and then i smoked a few. i am DONE with NRT. I am going told turkey and going to try again tomorrow by posting in the NOPE section. I have been researching quit methods for months now but i guess i was never really ready. i have a huge blackboard in my kitchen and i wrote out all the reasons i want to quit on one side and then my triggers. I used to be a huge runner and just started again and today i signed up for a race for extra motivation. i plan on watching the videos and posting daily because i want to take this seriously. i have two small children and they deserve to have me around and i deserve to be free. i am sober from alcohol and have admitted powerless over nicotine but haven't used my higher power to help guide the process more as i keep taking my will back. i am going to try to use more of that recovery program as well. Thanks again for all your support and I'll check in again tomorrow.

Thanks, everyone!! Is it easier to quit cold turkey? That's how my mom did it after twenty years. I've found NRT to not be very helpful.

Good morning, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Erin and I have smoked on and off since I was 18. The longest period of anstinence I had is 10 years but started again due to increased marital stress and divorce. I have never had difficulty quitting the habit until this time around. It has been 8 months now and I am up to ~1 pack per day. I have been trying to quit for the past 2 months with no success. I tried the patch, mindfulness and lozenges and while this has decreased the amount I smoke per day, I can't let it all go. I am ready to let it go for good but have very little real life support. I am hoping to use this forum for support and daily reminders for why I want to quit and the benefits of quitting, in addition to supporting and celebrating others milestones. Thanks for being here and I hope to get to know many of you and support each other along the way. -Erin