DenaliBlues

NOPE

Fortune teller

Trade

17

14

You’re doing Great! I love your determination and positive attitude. They’ll carry you far.

NOPE

8

Fair warning, I’m gonna be blunt here. Not to criticize, but to support the part of you that clearly wants to quit - or else you wouldn’t be here. Nicotine addiction will justify itself in order to maintain its grip on your life. Beware of the web of lies addiction can weave to keep you trapped. As a smoker, I spun out a lot of rationalizations about how smoking was natural, spiritual, mind-clearing, something my soul would be bereft without. In hindsight, it turns out that was 100% crap. Just my excuses to keep smoking. I wasn’t drawn to a higher plane… I was a junkie hooked on nicotine the same as any junkie hooked on heroin. Every person’s journey is their own, and everyone has to come into reckoning with their addiction in their own way. So whatever works for you is great. But at the end of the day, the only way to stop smoking is… to actually stop smoking.

Such doubts are the addicted part of your brain putting up a fuss about not getting its nicotine fix. This part of your brain will tell you all kinds of stories… that smoking isn’t too bad, that quitting is too hard, that smoking is so gratifying, that just a little puff wouldn’t hurt. All lies! Don’t fall for them. Stay strong, stay busy, protect your precious quit. Throw away the smokes…soak them in water or pee to destroy them. You can do this.

Way to go @Dejvis93! You are doing great! I love your commitment to breaking free of nicotine… determination is the most important part of a successful quit. Sleep disturbances, brain fog and the jitters are all a natural part of detoxing. Staying hydrated and exercising are great ways to cope, so you’re being smart. But be sure to diversify the toolkit of things you do to manage the cravings… have things to do with your hands (I used fidget spinners and silly putty), make lists of little chores/tasks to do to stay occupied (fix a drawer, take out the trash, pull a weed), do a few pushups or jumping jacks. And read all you can about addiction here on the forum. Even if you already know the info, it’s important to reinforce the idea of quitting over and over again, because the brain in withdrawal will try to trick you into vaping again. Stay strong! It definitely gets easier.

7

5

Didgeridoo player

Craft

NOPE! Smoking stinks.

Dapple Sun

5

Congrats on day one! You should feel really proud of what you are achieving. It’s tough at first, but the longer you stick with your quit, the easier it gets. Day two of your new freedom awaits!

NOPE!

Glad to hear that you still want to quit @tocevoD. It is wonderfully liberating to step off the crazy merry-go-round of craving, caving and self-loathing. You CAN stop the madness! At first, quitting feels like you’re being deprived of something and will be miserable forever - but that’s just your addict compulsion kicking up a fuss. None of it is true. Don’t let it win. Don’t buy those smokes. Stay busy with other things, stay strong, stay positive, and keep your quit!