I quit 39 days ago.

[Doreensfree]

Well done your doing great

[dvs51]

23 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

That's exactly what I did when ayt work and started getting antsy .. go for a stroll, even if just within our small office area or outside in the parking area for a couple of mins.; just enough time for the intense crave to pass (they don't last that long normally).

I've done the strolls around the parking lot as well. One of the things that was a "don't quit" excuse was "what will I do at work without my smoke breaks?" And then I thought, "Why do I need to smoke? Can't I just go outside for ten minutes and not smoke?"

23 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Yup; our junkie brains are our worst enemy at times in our early quit days but you know what? Those same brains can be retrained to become our greatest protectors once we've been clean for a longer period of time  

I agree. Mine is still, obviously, in training, but I think you're right. It's the biggest weapon smoking has against us but it can be turned into the biggest weapon we have against it.

3 hours ago, Doreensfree said:

Well done your doing great

Thanks! So far, so good!

[Reciprocity]

@dvs51 said: I agree. Mine is still, obviously, in training, but I think you're right. It's the biggest weapon smoking has against us but it can be turned into the biggest weapon we have against it.

 

Keep training that brain of yours! Right now, the battle is to ignore what ever junkie thoughts your presented with. Fight like hell to avoid allowing those thoughts to take you down. I learned to hate that wooing of nicotine memory that lies to us by whispering that just one will fix everything when in fact it would destroy everything you've gained since beginning your quit. That's why NOPE is so critical at this early point to every quitter. The deeper you can bury those memories of smoking and that junkie thinking, the sooner you can take back your life & live it as it was meant to be lived. It just takes time, repetition & commitment!

 

 

[dvs51]

@Reciprocity I have so far been pretty good at recognizing that the idea of "just one" is a fallacy. I know that "just one" would actually be "just the first of many" and lead right back to where I was. Once that happens, I'm back at square one, resenting the cigarettes but smoking them anyway and trying once more to muster the nerve to let go of them. Those first few days and weeks were hard, and the concept of starting from scratch is not one that appeals to me. 

[DenaliBlues]

@dvs51 your comments are great and show that you are building a really solid quit!

 

I, too, used smoking as a kind of punctuation in my daily rhythms… breaks at work, pauses in between projects, to mark the start of the day, the end of a meal, etc. Smoking was the organizing principle of my life, the structure I followed.

 

At first, many moments felt strangely hollow without smoking. I felt like a jellyfish… squishy and adrift in a sea of cravings, like I had lost all my solidity. So I filled those moments with tiny tasks. I constantly would read articles and play games on this forum. Wall/countertop push-ups played a huge role in my quit, too.

 

I stayed busy/active because the desire to smoke was very strong in those interstitial moments. I was very vulnerable. So I had to very intentionally rewire my relationship with time, and with pauses/transitions. It became kind of a creative exercise to do something different that wasn’t about lighting up. 

 

That change gradually became more natural. That feeling of being adrift or “missing something” subsided. Every time you choose not to smoke, your quit gets stronger and stronger and stronger!

 

Recalling the struggle times is part of what keeps me on the quitting path today. Repeat the agony of withdrawal again? NOPE, no thanks! I share your views on that point, @dvs51. Withdrawal totally sucked for me. I was a hot mess. So I am NOT going through that misery ever again! 

[Reciprocity]

@dvs51 I was pretty sure you knew the drill but just wanted to reinforce the ideas, only because it can be a difficult time in early days.  Hope I didn't come across as preachy . Sounds like you're headed in the right direction with a clear vision of whaere you want to be and how to get there - carry on.

[dvs51]

@DenaliBlues EXACTLY! I used cigarettes as a marker of time constantly, and even sometimes used it to literally tell time (It should take me about six minutes to smoke this, so I'll know it's 2:30 when I put it out). You have described it perfectly, especially the jellyfish thing. I'll try the wall pushups. So far my go-to distractions are: 

- creative outlets (writing, playing guitar, drawing)

- video games (mostly puzzle-type mobile games)

- walking

- calling a friend or relative - not to talk about that, but just to chat for a few minutes

- watching tv

- coming here

- and, unfortunately, sometimes eating, though I'm already working to curb that.

I'm always looking for more ways to not smoke! I will add wall push-ups to my arsenal... it sounds like a good distraction AND it's good for me!

 

@Reciprocity I did not for a second think you sounded preachy. Everyone here is here looking for help or looking to help others. I've gotten some great advice from several people since I signed up and not once have I thought anyone was talking down to me, demanding that I see or do things their way, or judging me in any way. I'm so grateful to have people to talk to who have been through what I'm going through, and I have felt nothing but encouraged by everyone here, including you. We're all good!

But I'll make you a deal. If, at any point, I think you're being too preachy, I'll just say "BANANA BANANA BANANA!" and you'll know to knock it off. Deal? 

 

 

[Doreensfree]

Love it ! … well banana Ive not heard that in all my years here , cracking up

I remember going so far  along , then suddenly wanted to look after myself more 

Doing wall pushups is a great way to pass the time 

I learned Chi Gong ..still do it today , it’s a good way to calm things down and chill 

I have high hopes for you @dvs51..

You have the right attitude … keep it going

[Reciprocity]

48 minutes ago, dvs51 said:

 

@Reciprocity I did not for a second think you sounded preachy. Everyone here is here looking for help or looking to help others. I've gotten some great advice from several people since I signed up and not once have I thought anyone was talking down to me, demanding that I see or do things their way, or judging me in any way. I'm so grateful to have people to talk to who have been through what I'm going through, and I have felt nothing but encouraged by everyone here, including you. We're all good!

But I'll make you a deal. If, at any point, I think you're being too preachy, I'll just say "BANANA BANANA BANANA!" and you'll know to knock it off. Deal? 

 

 

[dvs51]

@Doreensfree "BANANA  BANANA BANANA" was our "safe word" when I was taking Improv classes a few years back. If someone took the scene somewhere that made you uncomfortable, you were supposed to shout "banana" three times and the scene would end, no questions asked. I never used it or heard it used but it was a nice safety net to have just in case. I don't know if safe words, or that one specifically, are a universal thing with imrpov or if that was just my teacher's way of keeping things on track. 

 

I appreciate your confidence in me! This isn't my first quit, but I intend for it to be my last. 

[Nat]

Today is day one. Threw out my cigs . I have my ways and was going to put it off for another month but got covid last week and the coughing is uncontrollable so might was well get over covid and clean my body of smoked

[Doreensfree]

Hello and welcome , 

smoking can only make your Covid cough worse ..

Check out all the information on our Main 

Discussion Board , it has loads of great tips to help you along 

When your ready post on the introduction thread to say hi , you will get a proper welcome there

[johnny5]

Welcome @Nat  You are doing a great thing in quitting smoking.  It is great to have you here.

[QuittingGirl]

Hi @Nat  Welcome to Quittrain! We are very glad you have found our site, and you will find a ton of support here, from member advice to so much information on the dangers of smoking, and how to quit successfully.  Quitting smoking is a journey that we all know is not an easy one, but it's definitely doable and so worth it in the end. We have quitters here from newbies, such as yourself,  all the way up to 20+ years and everything in between.  

Our best advice for you in the beginning is to come on this site every day, if you can, and do the daily Nope pledge because it will keep you focused.  If you ever find yourself where you feel you are going to give in and smoke, there is an SOS section.  Since our members are from all over the world, there is usually someone around most of the time.  To help you get your mind off of smoking there is a Games section too.  The most popular game is Chicks and Sticks, go and check it out, it's a load of fun!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask either one of us, and we look forward to seeing you here again soon.
 

[dvs51]

1 hour ago, Nat said:

Today is day one. Threw out my cigs . I have my ways and was going to put it off for another month but got covid last week and the coughing is uncontrollable so might was well get over covid and clean my body of smoked

Whatever the reason, the important thing is that you threw them out. You've got a tough road ahead of you but you'll find support here! Good luck with your Covid and good luck with your quit!

[Reciprocity]

Best thing you could possibly do @Nat!!!!!

 

Hope your Covid moves along quickly and you get back to normal fast. You'll be so much healthier & happier as a non-smoker so resist all temtation to light up again. Trusts us ... it's well worth it in the end! You're trading a short time of adversity for a lifetime of better health, wealth & self respect