Third times a charm

[JoJo]

Hi all,

Today is the day. My quit day. I've been here before but it's been a while. My best quit was for 7 years. I was so healthy and happy without that ball and chain. I want that back.

I did not want to get out of bed this morning. Luckily my hubby took the dog out. I usually take her out to do her business while I smoke my first cig of the day. I've been up for 3 hours now, mostly on this site. 

I had a weird, vivid chantix dream last night. In the dream it was my quit day. There was a very big problem (stolen truck, late for work, etc) I really wanted a smoke. Then I turned to my daughter and said "having a cigarette is not going to fix this" Thank you for Joel's videos that I watched yesterday!

I have an addiction to smoking and vaping. I think quitting vaping will be the hardest for me. In my previous quits I only smoked cigs, no vape. Lately I only smoke a few cigarettes a day outside, but I puff on a vape almost all day. In the house, in the car, in public... places I would not smoke cigs. 

I think I'll go back to bed now. Thanks for being here to support. I'll check in later.

JoJo

 

[Doreensfree]

We are here to help you along your journey 

I don’t know about vaping 

NOPE for  smoking and vaping 

It will work for both 

[QuittingGirl]

Hi @JoJo  Welcome! I was on Chantix the first time I quit and at that time it was a wonder drug for me. I did get the vivid dreams but they didn't bother me.  The side effect that really got to me was the nausea which I had in the very beginning of taking it.  Do you get the nausea?  Unfortunately I went back to smoking after 6 years but I didn't know about this site back then.  I truly believe if I was on here, I wouldn't have started smoking again.  This 2nd and last time,  I started with the weaning method and then when that didn't work, I just went cold turkey.  Chantix will help you a lot but you still have to come on here every day and do the daily NOPE pledge.  I really believe that is what has gotten me though this for the past 3 years, it keeps me focused.  We are all here to support you which will really help!  You can do this!  Stay strong!!

[JoJo]

2 hours ago, QuittingGirl said:

Hi @JoJo  Welcome! I was on Chantix the first time I quit and at that time it was a wonder drug for me. I did get the vivid dreams but they didn't bother me.  The side effect that really got to me was the nausea which I had in the very beginning of taking it.  Do you get the nausea?  Unfortunately I went back to smoking after 6 years but I didn't know about this site back then.  I truly believe if I was on here, I wouldn't have started smoking again.  This 2nd and last time,  I started with the weaning method and then when that didn't work, I just went cold turkey.  Chantix will help you a lot but you still have to come on here every day and do the daily NOPE pledge.  I really believe that is what has gotten me though this for the past 3 years, it keeps me focused.  We are all here to support you which will really help!  You can do this!  Stay strong!!

Thank you, QuittingGirl, and congratulations on your successful quit!! Chantix gives me a little nausea but not too bad. The last time that I quit using Chantix I got pretty bad gas. I just bumped up to the full strength today and I'm really hoping to avoid that. 

[JoJo]

Day 2. So many triggers!!! Automatically reaching for my vape and then I remember I quit. Deep breaths...

[Minnie Mouse]

Yes, those darn associations/habits we ingrained in our daily life.  It takes at least 3 weeks to build new "go to's".  The void quitting leaves need to be replaced with something else.  What worthwhile thing(s) do you want to do with your extra time you will have now in your life or in the foreseeable future?  Let's face it, we spent a lot of valuable time or should I say wasted time with smoking/vaping.  Now is a good time to begin and cultivate new choices or maybe return to one left behind?   

 

I'm probably getting ahead of you ... whatever it takes for those 5-10-15 minutes to get through triggers for now works ... meditation, positive self-talk, mantras, focused breathing, yoga, walking, jogging, et al.  You've quit before so you know the process.   Never another Day One.  Make each day a Day Won.  You've got this!

Edited Wednesday at 10:14 PM by Minnie Mouse

[Reciprocity]

Stay the course @JoJo! One day at a time and each day starts with a commitment to yourself - I WON'T smoke today!! Then; keep that commitment. It's easier to do for just one day than looking too far ahead. 

[DenaliBlues]

Welcome aboard @JoJo! I, too, lost a 7-year quit and picked up again for more than a decade. But I found my forever quit this time, thanks in large part to this forum. 

 

The early days are tough, but if you stick with your quit IT GETS EASIER! Stay busy and learn everything you can about addiction. Don’t give in to the “stinkin thinkin” that you can’t quit… because you absolutely can. You’re not alone, we’re here for you. Sweet freedom is yours for the taking! 

[JoJo]

15 hours ago, Minnie Mouse said:

Yes, those darn associations/habits we ingrained in our daily life.  It takes at least 3 weeks to build new "go to's".  The void quitting leaves need to be replaced with something else.  What worthwhile thing(s) do you want to do with your extra time you will have now in your life or in the foreseeable future?  Let's face it, we spent a lot of valuable time or should I say wasted time with smoking/vaping.  Now is a good time to begin and cultivate new choices or maybe return to one left behind?   

 

I'm probably getting ahead of you ... whatever it takes for those 5-10-15 minutes to get through triggers for now works ... meditation, positive self-talk, mantras, focused breathing, yoga, walking, jogging, et al.  You've quit before so you know the process.   Never another Day One.  Make each day a Day Won.  You've got this!

Thanks Minnie. Yes, you certainly gave me something to think about! I will eventually find productive, healthy things to do to fill my time. For now, I will focus on the four D's to get through my triggers and I'll try not to eat us out of house and home lol! Day 3 - NOPE!

[JoJo]

11 hours ago, Reciprocity said:

Stay the course @JoJo! One day at a time and each day starts with a commitment to yourself - I WON'T smoke today!! Then; keep that commitment. It's easier to do for just one day than looking too far ahead. 

Thank you so much. I will not smoke today!!! Day 3

[JoJo]

10 hours ago, DenaliBlues said:

Welcome aboard @JoJo! I, too, lost a 7-year quit and picked up again for more than a decade. But I found my forever quit this time, thanks in large part to this forum. 

 

The early days are tough, but if you stick with your quit IT GETS EASIER! Stay busy and learn everything you can about addiction. Don’t give in to the “stinkin thinkin” that you can’t quit… because you absolutely can. You’re not alone, we’re here for you. Sweet freedom is yours for the taking! 

Aww, thanks. Good for you for finding your forever quit! It really stinks to loose a 7 year quit, but like you, I have learned my lesson of NOPE. I want that freedom again!!

[JoJo]

Checking in, day 3, hell day. I've been up for 1 hour and of course I was triggered right away. Delay, Deep breaths, Drink water, Distract... Got my coffee and jumped on this site. I feel uncomfortable but also like I can totally do this! One day at a time towards freedom. 

Thank you for the support.

 

JoJo

[Doreensfree]

Hi Jojo

I had to change my routine of early coffee 

it went hand in hand with a smoke 

I changed to fresh juice instead of,

changing your daily routine pattern can help 

Even changed my shower routine that helped too

Carnt smoke in the shower lol

[JoJo]

4 minutes ago, Doreensfree said:

Hi Jojo

I had to change my routine of early coffee 

it went hand in hand with a smoke 

I changed to fresh juice instead of,

changing your daily routine pattern can help 

Even changed my shower routine that helped too

Carnt smoke in the shower lol

Yes, I need to change up routines. So true about the shower lol! Same goes for sleeping. I've been doing a lot of that.

[QuittingGirl]

@JoJo you did get rid of all of your vaping and smoking paraphenalia?  You can't have any of that around, otherwise you will be very tempted.  I see you put up a ticker, that's great! Just listen to all the great advice and you will do really well.

[JoJo]

35 minutes ago, QuittingGirl said:

@JoJo you did get rid of all of your vaping and smoking paraphenalia?  You can't have any of that around, otherwise you will be very tempted.  I see you put up a ticker, that's great! Just listen to all the great advice and you will do really well.

Yep! The night before my quit day I dumped all my cigarettes and vapes into a bucket of water  B'bye! Good riddance!

I got a ticker but it looks like the wording is blurry. Maybe if I do it from my phone instead of this old desktop it will look better..

Is that your dog? It's very cute! I have a mini Aussie named Jazzy. 

[JoJo]

Hi All! Day 4 check-in. Doing ok. First thing in the morning, after meals and those weird "down time" moments are the hardest. I hear that nicodemon telling me that it sure would be nice to have a smoke, that it would be satisfying.. It would, but I won't. I would sure like to, but I won't. It would be easier to give in but that's ok, I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

I sure appreciate you all and having this space to vent my feelings, Thank you.

[Reciprocity]

32 minutes ago, JoJo said:

Hi All! Day 4 check-in. Doing ok. First thing in the morning, after meals and those weird "down time" moments are the hardest. I hear that nicodemon telling me that it sure would be nice to have a smoke, that it would be satisfying.. It would, but I won't. I would sure like to, but I won't. It would be easier to give in but that's ok, I CAN DO HARD THINGS!

I sure appreciate you all and having this space to vent my feelings, Thank you.

This all sounds very familiar. That's the daily fight in those early days but as you say; you can do hard things and it WILL be worth it!

Won't it be amazing when suddenly you realize that you woke up and didn't even think about wanting to have a smoke? That day will come! Stay the course

[DenaliBlues]

Woo hoo… you made it to Day 4!!

 

We used to organize our whole lives around smoking, it set the rhythm of our lives. So it’s natural to feel a little adrift at moments when we used to smoke. It gets better. You are 100% right that you can do this. Cravings are not commands, just obnoxious commercials for junk you don’t wanna buy. Good riddance, and stay strong!