DenaliBlues

9. Wear something else

Nessie’s a myth

Nope…

GREAT list!! You’re so right about the freedom…

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Really glad to have you back with us today, @darcy!! I love that you destroyed your pack and are re-starting your quit. Reading and re-reading is a great strategy in the early hours and days of your quit. I did that, too. What else will you do to support and distract yourself? You might try making a list of things you can do instead of smoking when the cravings strike. I know it sounds corny to make a list, but it helps to be prepared (things to do with your hands, things to do with your mouth, mindless tasks, exercise snacks, physical comforts). Otherwise, Addict Mind will go blank and tell you that nothing but smoking will suffice. When things get crunchy, remember... Cravings really suck, but they will pass. A craving is a commercial, not a command. The feeling of "Other people can quit but I cannot" is a withdrawal symptom, NOT an accurate assessment of your ability. During the early stages of withdrawal, our addicted brains tell us all kinds of crazy s--t that isn't true. During that time, trust what you read here on the board, don't trust Addict Mind. It's not your friend. Keep us posted - let us know what's on your list and how you're feeling!

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NOPE

Absolutely agree with what @Linda and @intoxicated yoda said, don’t beat yourself up. It’s a process. Stand up, dust yourself off, ask yourself what you can learn from what happened, and try again. You belong on the Train!

Yes, I have found quitting to be oddly counterintuitive. Am I giving up nicotine? Giving up bondage? Yes and yes. But most of all, what I am casting off is the self condemnation, the feelings of constant failure, the never-ending torment of lovinghating smoking. Being free of all that junk is priceless. Give yourself the gift of enough time without smoking to feel the glimmer of THAT freedom. Right now, the initial chemical withdrawal is clouding your calculus of whether you can do this and whether it’s worth it. You can and it is. Hang in there till you get to the other side of the first DTs and can feel it for yourself.

Oooo, I’ve been there too, @darcy… stir crazy, brain foggy, feeling like a peeled carrot emotionally, wanting desperately to smoke. It gets better, I promise. If you feel in danger of buying smokes, stay home and avoid known triggers till you feel stronger, but sone kind of exercising really can help burn off the wobbles. Distract yourself any way you can. You are totally doing the right thing to post here… keep it up! You’re almost thru the worst part!

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NOPE

Congrats, and thanks for the encouragement!

So happy for you, and your office mate too!

Way to go, @darcy! That’s so great!

NOPE

^^ Oh yes, this happened to me, too! Total tapioca brain for a while. It passed. It’s great that you are approaching your 24-hr mark, @darcy. One hour at a time… those are hard won hours to be proud of, and they really can add up surprisingly fast. I got through many anxious and ambivalent early hours by reading a lot of the posts here (like you are), staying busy with small uncomplicated tasks, sipping ice cold diet root beer, and doing countertop pushups. Lots and lots of pushups. Each person’s strategy is different. Let us know what’s working for you? It will surely help someone else! (Plus posting often helps to strengthen your quit.)

Glad to have you with us, @darcy! Let us know how you’re approaching your quit and how you’re feeling. You can do this!

NOPE!

Me, too!

NOPE

An inspirational quit! Well done!