New here. Just started

[bjean]

OK, I've just jumped on the bandwagon.  I have thought about quitting for YEARS....and started actually planning the event weeks ago, but just couldn't seem to get started.  For some reason, on my drive home from work Monday, I thought....this is it.  I did smoke 2 cigarettes that night before bed.  On Tuesday, I had nothing until time for bed and smoked one.  That was the last one.  So....do I establish my quit date as August 29 (when I had my last one) or August 30, which was my first day without any cigarettes.

 

I'm really kind of scared.......afraid of failing.  I feel a tightness in my chest that just lets me know that I have no choice but to succeed, but it's really hard after I get home from work and there's nothing to do with my hands while I'm at the computer.  Add to that, there's a 3-day weekend coming up and abstaining at home may be much more difficult than work.  The thing about the chest congestion, though, is that it actually seems worse rather than better.  Is that normal?  Does it get worse before it gets better?  I'm not using any NRT because I don't want to swap one addiction for another.  I just want to be DONE WITH IT!

[NADA]

Welcome bjean.  Feeling scared or anxious is really normal in the beginning.  Also having new symptoms the first couple of months of your quit can be common too (i.e. tightness in the chest, coughing, irritability, insomnia, etc.).  Those are all temporary......I repeat: temporary.  The rewards of better health will come, and you'll be amazed when they do.  Remember that there is no such thing as "just one".  You must now live by the NOPE philosophy: Not One Puff Ever.  You can even go to the Daily Nope section on this forum and commit to not smoking just for that one day.  The commitment is both to yourself and your fellow members here.  It really is helpful the first several months.

 

You've given yourself the best gift possible.  Focus on the good that will result from this decision instead of dwelling on the negative deceptions peddled by your addiction (such as worrying about a three day weekend).  There will never be a perfect time - except right now.

 

I don't think anyone would object if you choose 8/29 as your quit date as long as you don't put another in your mouth and light it.  You can go to the "QT Tickers" tab above and create a ticker to count your elapsed time, smokes avoided, and money saved.  

 

You can do this!   

[bjean]

BKP...having a little trouble here.  I went to the tab to create a ticker, but it won't let me change the number of cigarettes that I smoked per day or the price per pack.  Any hints....or should I just wait and see if it will let me do it later?  Thank you for the encouragement.  I'm going to need it!!!!

[NADA]

bjean

 

I just went in and didn't have a problem.  

 

In the box where it asks how many you smoked each day it is pre-loaded with the number 20.  Click in front of the zero and hit backspace to clear that number.  Then just type in your actual #.  You may need to click on the "arrow down" box below that to change the cost from British pounds to US dollars.  Hope that helps.  Let me know.

[bjean]

Hurray!  It worked!

 

[PeaceTrain]

bjean, congratulations on your decision to quit and welcome to the quit train! With all we know about smoking and the devastation it causes, it's simply delusional to continue down that destructive path. The more you learn about this addiction, the stronger your quit will be. At least that's how it has been for me. Read all the newbie stuff, watch the Joel Spitzer videos if that helps. It did for me and it also helps to keep busy. Too much idle time wasn't good for me especially in the beginning. I found that redirecting my thoughts also really helped. When I'd find myself thinking about smoking, I'd purposely focus on something else. Anything! Walking and any activity you can comfortably and safely manage is also really helpful especially in early days. It won't be long before you start noticing the benefits of not smoking. Reach out for help, if you need it. You'll soon be helping others which strengthens your own quit as well.

 

All the best

PeaceTrain

 

I'm not wishing you good luck because luck has nothing to do with this process. All you have to do is NOT smoke.

[Nancy]

OK, I've just jumped on the bandwagon.  I have thought about quitting for YEARS....and started actually planning the event weeks ago, but just couldn't seem to get started.  For some reason, on my drive home from work Monday, I thought....this is it.  I did smoke 2 cigarettes that night before bed.  On Tuesday, I had nothing until time for bed and smoked one.  That was the last one.  So....do I establish my quit date as August 29 (when I had my last one) or August 30, which was my first day without any cigarettes.

 

I'm really kind of scared.......afraid of failing.  I feel a tightness in my chest that just lets me know that I have no choice but to succeed, but it's really hard after I get home from work and there's nothing to do with my hands while I'm at the computer.  Add to that, there's a 3-day weekend coming up and abstaining at home may be much more difficult than work.  The thing about the chest congestion, though, is that it actually seems worse rather than better.  Is that normal?  Does it get worse before it gets better?  I'm not using any NRT because I don't want to swap one addiction for another.  I just want to be DONE WITH IT!

Welcome, bjean!!!  Everything you are going through is normal, and part of the healing process.  We have all been where you are now, and if we can do it, you can, too.  Quitting is a roller coaster, physically and emotionally....but it will not kill you.  Smoking will.

 

You can do this!!

[Boo]

Welcome aboard Bjean and congratulations on making the decision to set yourself free from cigarettes.

I'm really kind of scared.......afraid of failing.  

 

Very few quitters started their journey without some doubt and hesitation creeping in.  That's perfectly normal.  The thing is, there is nothing to fear.  Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are relatively minor and short-lived.  Those nagging thoughts about smoking are only thoughts.  Thoughts only have as much power as we give them.  Cigarettes are inanimate objects incapable of acting alone.  You have all the power.

 

And to top it all off: this process is dead simple.  Commit to never sticking anything in your mouth and lighting on fire.  That's it!  A repetitive one-step process to freedom and improved quality of life.

 

I just want to be DONE WITH IT!

 

You already are.  Congratulations!

[jimmy]

welcome aboard bjean  congrats on your new life as a nonsmoker   take it 1 day at a time .

you can do this 

[bakon]

Jimmy is our bully.

Good job don't forget rewards. Something small like a book or magazine, ice cream. Something to reward yourself for the hard work. After a week make it something worth the weeks worth of smoke money.

[bakon]

Two posts for some reason

 

So I will use this one for NOPE. Say it a hundred times before lunch 200 after.

[bjean]

OK, guys.  Thanks for all the good wishes, good feels and support.  I'm still having some cravings, but a lot of this is psychological.  It's just TIME to smoke.  I hit the expressway for my drive home, reach for the pack.  Finished dinner...reach for the pack.  I read Allen Carr's book a while ago and need to get it out again and go through it.  I recently read another book by a woman, but can't recall the name.  She's all about facing this head-on, so I'm taking some of her advice....some of Allen Carr's.  Most of the websites tell you to get rid of all cigarette packs, lighters and ashtrays.  She says NO.  She says you have to face those things and get past the triggers that they cause.  OK, whatever.  Doing that.  Kept the open pack, but put a rubber band around it so that I can't mindlessly pull one out and light it.

 

I haven't had to do an SOS yet.  BUT, it has only been 72 hours since my last cigarette.  I know that Allen Carr says to think of yourself as a non-smoker....even while you're still winding down the process.  By the way, I didn't really wind down.  I was FULL BLOWN on Sunday....probably less than a pack, but still puffing big time.  Monday I only had 8.  Tuesday 1.  Wednesday.....ZERO.  I think that pretty much qualifies as cold turkey. But I'm still at a point where I'm a little afraid to envision a life without ever having a cigarette again.......although I know......one puff and I'll be back to it again and it will be harder than ever to stop.  I feel the pull right now because it's time for bed (past time, actually), but I wouldn't call it a "craving".  Thankfully one of my co-workers is a former smoker and she is really pumped that I'm quitting and has provided some real encouragement.  I was a little scared when I signed up for this forum because a lot of the dates looked really, really old.  I'm glad you guys are here!!!!!

 

[bakon]

You got to get in right mind set. You go a minute at a time first day,hour at a time next couple days. If you make it to day 3 the hardest part is over. Doesn't mean shit if your head ain't right.

So what do I mean..you are past the When of the quit. You are in it and it gets easier with ever urge you slay. They get easier, seriously the brain gets stronger and the urges weaker. But you have to recognize one thing....

 

You got to want to not smoke and then do everything to meet that want. Set your mind to your a non-smoker. Set it to I don't smoke. Or set it to I have quit. See where these put your head, outside of the smoke

 

I don't care it you keep a pack or a lighter but why? Never heard of a non smoker needing them, so if you want the clutter, fine But they are not giving you any strength or helping they are the enemy don't live with the enemy .

 

Now how to stay in that mind is to say you are not missing out. You are getting out. Out of the stink and cough and crap.

 

 

Back to the missing out you are afraid of....what you are missing is that chill, that relax after a puff, well I got news. We all have that chill after quiting. It's with us 24 hours a day. That chill you got after a puff is our normal feeling. But ours is real. Yours was an itch that was scratched by nicotine and would come back as another itch once nic was gone.

Our chill is constant. No itch.

You will get there. Remember your where most smokers wished they were. Enjoy that. Push on. Keep marching. Get your helmet on, head straight and sing NOPE.

[Reciprocity]

Hi bjean and welcome to this bunch of quitters :) Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for yourself and yes, it's hard work BUT it's very possible as I can attest to myself. I'm not that far ahead  of you really and I too quit cold turkey (no NRT or what not) just so I could get the nicotine out of me asap. You've received great info from the others already and it's all very true. Focus one minute at a time, 1 hour at a time or one day at a time at first. Take smoking off the table completely.. This does gradually get better with time. The first while is very hard work but soooo worth it in the end!! Keep at it bjean :) I've been away the past week and still am with almost no computer access but I'll look forward to watching your progress when I get back to normal next week.

[Doreensfree]

Hi and welcome bjean..

You have been given some great advice...

I can only add,that the more knowledge you have,the more strength you will have,to fight this monster..

Don't over think ..our minds are our worst enemies...

Nice and steady ..1 day at a time...worry about tomorrow...tomorrow...

What you are achieving is life changing..and so rewarding in every sense...

Keep reminding yourself ,of how amazing you are...

Looking forward to getting to know you better..

Congrats for finding this wonderful place..xx