Reciprocity

Yes! Quitting nicotine is a marathon; not a sprint! Meaning that you have to keep your original goal in your mind long term. Never forget why you quit! It's as important today as it was day 1. It will continue to be as important months from now.

That's what we mean when we say "stay on guard", even when you feel you've got the addiction beat. Don't ever let the addiction seduce you into your old vaping ways. Trust me, your addiction will continue to try and fool you for some time. If you remain committed, you'll be fine. 

We are all nicotine addicts for life but, that becomes a non-issue once we bury our addiction by refusing to smoke/vape for a long period of time.

Becomming a comfortable non-smoker/vaper is different for eveyone. You may be very comfortable in a short period of time but, remin on guard because that addiction is still there and will rear u an bite you in the a*s when you're most vulnerable so always be on guard!

Typically it take a year to declare yourself comepletely free because there are triggers you'll come across at different times of the year. Memories of when you used to vape will haunt you during those times; Christmas gatherings, when seasons change a nd you'll remember vaping at hose times of the year etc.

Just keep your commitment strong and you'll make it. As quitters will always tell you ... it only gets easier the longer you remain quit

That's right @Dejvis93; one day at a time; one craving at a time is how we all did it. It seems a real slog at times but the eventual prize you are fighting for is very well worth the early struggles. I get the difficulty you're finding trying to balance quit symptoms & craves while going through a busy/stressful time at work ... it ain't easy at times but no one said it was gonna be. Keep pushing forward! There's no going back now 

Don't worry @Dejvis93, everything you're experiencing is normal. Quitting is like a roller coaster for anyone. Some days you're up the the next you're down again. It just is part of the quitting territory. It WILL smooth out with more time quit. Stay focussed on the positives you're seeing. Soon there'll be more up days than down days.

(I didn't even read Johnny 5's post until after i posted; great minds think alike  Just goes to show we all go through similar things as we quit!)

Rock on brother!

Keep at it! You'll get there but be aware, this nicotine addiction thing can be really tricky at times. You'll be sailing along feeling pretty good about things then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, a monster crave will hit you when you least expect it. Just be aware of that and ready to deal with it when it does happen. It's often when something else not even related to vaping happens in your life. Suddenly, your mind goes straight to what it thinks is it's comfort place (vaping).

Carry on sir!

Congrats @Dejvis93! 3 Days is a fantastic start. I like that you're seeing the positives of quitting alread (better taste & smell). Think about all the $$ you're saving as well. That's a plus too.

Keep forging ahead my friend and don't let anything get in the way of your mission to quit!

I can see you're very focused on this quit. That's a GOOD THING! Slow and steady is how it's done. Remain committed to your quit and always remember; there's no such thing as just one puff.

One day at a time my friend. The progression is much slower than any of us would like to see it but there are magical things happening within you even now.

3 full days without nicotine and your body is free of it. That's a start, getting that crap out of your body. It doesn't mean you won't crave it any longer but it is the first step in truly healing. The rest, the longer part of quitting, is adjusting to not connecting having a smoke or vape to almost everything you do during the day; retraining your brain so it no longer demands that vape after eating, while driving, as a reward for finishing a task ... you get the idea. That's all just repetition, over and over, day after day. It really does get easier as time passes providing you just don't smoke/vape. You don't see that now but you will if you hang in there long enough- that I can promise you!

Fabulous achievement @Dejvis93!

I love how you are focused on exercising and your morning runs. Exercise is a great way to take your mind off vaping. I also understand your difficulty in focusing at work. That;s what we call "brain fog" and it's very common amoung new quitters. It will not last for too long but yes, it make getting things done tough at times.

Another thing you said: "24 hours will be a reason to selebrate and then, another day! but today, I focus on now and today." That's exactly what you need to do, focus on one day at a time; sometimes even one hour at a time just to make it through a particularly tough craving. Looking too far down the road can be overwhelming so just take things a bit at a time like you're doing.

If you fond yourself at a loss for something to take your mind off things, there's a 'Games" page here on the site. Check it out sometime if you're looking for something to do.

Again; big congrats on Successfully Completing Day #1!! 

That's a good one. Explains a lot of how suddenly our lives seem a little empty just after quitting 

Just do your own thing Darcy. Why worry about others and how you stack up to them or their experience as a quitter. We are all different. We all quit differently but in the end, it is our own choice as to how we quit and become free or whether we bow to our addiction and begin feeding it again. Why should you not be entitled to enjoy the benefits of being smoke free? Just do it your way because .... your way will be PERFECT for you

Your quit is still relatively young. Be patient. It will continue to get better and easier as time goes by. That doesn't stop at some point. It's a continual process. Give it time, lots of time. You'll see ...............

That's how we all do it I think QueenB - persistence wins the day 

Those early days are trying for sure but you CAN get through them. Since smoking is no longer an option, you just need to find another way through those difficult moments.They are tough for sure but they will not always be with you. Better days are in your future  

I bet your friend will not forget that encounter - lol

Good for you in facing that and winning! Shows your commitment is strong and you are on solid ground.

And you're right. Being around a group of others with the same commitment as you and who have experienced the same stuff as you are now going through is a powerful tool. That will become even more important down the road as many around you may start taking it for granted that your quit is done and in the past when in reality, you will still have work to do in crafting your new smoke free life. I would definitely post up in the 1 year pledge. You know there are different seasonal triggers that come up with the changing of the seasons. Those can present new challenges you haven't had to deal with yet. That's what makes the 1 year celebration (the Lido party) such a big deal. Doesn't mean you are completely done building your life long quit but it does mean you have likely seen all the triggers you will need to deal with.

You are doing the right thing Vivianne! Avoiding friends that would give you a cig would be pushing it at this early stage. You can and will face that situation later once your quit is stronger and you are making it that way daily now by adhering to NOPE! Trust in the process and stick with NOPE. You will never regret it, that's for sure!

Post as often as you want to and pics are worth 1,000 words so throw those in as well when ever you feel like it.

My mother is turning 99 in Nov. she smoked for a good chunk of her teens through to probably 30ish? She has admitted to me that a few times the thought of; "I should be having a cigarette now!" I think she's just more surprised that it still happens occasionally after all these years. She says it almost jokingly so I know it's not a strong craving to smoke or anything but just some vague, smokey image in her head that still rears up on occasion because despite the almost 60 years she's been quit, she's still a nicotine addict and always will be. 

Although we can never become no longer addicted to nicotine, the beauty of quitting is that we can and do get out of perpetual withdrawal cycle, which is where we live each and every day that we are smokers. With time invested in our quits, it becomes effortless to remain quit. All that's required is mindfulness that we are still nicotine addicts and must act accordingly N.O.P.E. Putting that awful addiction into a deep sleep gives us a second chance at living life the way it was meant to be lived - free, healthy and a little richer in the wallet  

Glad to hear there's at least some progress in your medical issues and that your brain fog is getting better. All that stuff takes time but at least when you have a clearer idea of what's going on you can make a plan to deal with things and move forward. The circumstances of the death of both your wives is just bizarre. Both passing at the same age and on children's birthdays - wow! Just know this Richard, there's never anything any of us can do to help if a smoker does not fully commit to quitting - it's frustrating I know but it's just the way this addiction works against us. Hold true to your own quit now no matter what Richard. You owe that to yourself and your kids. They have suffered great loss too and will need their Dad to lean on.

Congrats on 7 days (Hell week Done)! It's a crazy journey in the beginning. Your whole world (and mind) was turned upside down and shaken into a jumble but from that jumble, you will build a new life. A nonsmoking life that will be richer and healthier than you can imagine. It will all be more than worth the temporary struggles. You are on track now and moving forward. Don't give up an inch of that hard fought for ground. It WILL get easier all the time. Wear that pride on your sleeve because others need to know what a great thing you have done for yourself  

Here's the post I was referring to:

I smoked roughly 25 cigs a day which consumed approx. 7 minutes each one. That's 3 hours a day just smoking. Whether it's work breaks or personal time - you've got more of it now. You need to find productive ways to fill that void and you will. It seemed to just happen naturally to me - no plan and no strategy. It just got filled with other, healthier things.

There's a post around here somewhere called "Filling The Pages"; or something like that and it speaks to this issue exactly  

Ouuuu ..... I'll have the blue one please 

First job I ever had was on a line, assembling TV's At first I was they person bolting the transformer onto the TV chassis then graduated to filling in spots on the line for bathroom breaks.That was a long time ago and to this day I remember spinning those 4 nuts onto 4 bolts as the line moved on relentlessly. Yeah, I know exactly what you're saying about time to think. Direct those thoughts toward the benefits you'll be enjoying from quitting. Better health, more $$ to spend on things you want, not smelling like a stale ashtray, feeling proud of yourself for knowing what you can do in quitting the smokes. The list goes on an on. 

I have a similar story as well with my father. Smoked right through the funeral and for years afterward. My dad was openly advocating for all his kids to stop smoking years before he died but none of us did of course. I know he's be proud that both myself and my brother did eventually quit.

Even though you didn't quit while your dad was here to see it, it will still be a very special part of quitting to you .... knowing how proud your loving dad would be  

Thanks for letting us know what's going on in your life Hellkat. We do worry when we don't hear from people that we feel a connection with. Sorry to hear your work is jerking you around, or at least was. Hopefully that has been resolved to your benefit now. Glad you are still quit as well. You have a lot on your plate so it's amazing that you have been able to do such a great job with your quit at the same time - coming up 2 months now on Monday   Now there's something to celebrate!

Yes, I also have thought of you often since you told your story to us Richard. Hope you are doing OK. We are here should you need some support.