24 Hour No Nicotine/No Smoking Club - Part 9
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Southern U.S.
Posts: 1,030
Happy sober Sunday, everyone. Today is day 2 no cigarettes for me. Yesterday I downloaded the app Smoke Free and am finding it really motivational so far. My biggest triggers are emotional. I am so, so tired of stinky nasty cigarettes!
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Southern U.S.
Posts: 1,030
Congratulations Feenix and Martina! What changes have you noticed so far as non smokers?
I made it to day 3! I tried to quit multiple times last summer and the farthest I ever got was 12 days. I feel more optimistic this time around, however, because I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired of it. I want to be a nonsmoker, and the quit is never going to be easy, but we have to go through being uncomfortable to get to the freedom on the other side.
Quitting is scary for me. I am 42 years old and tried my first cigarette when I was 14. I have been smoking all of my adult life, mostly as a closet smoker. I don't smoke in the car or at work--it's something I do (did) in the morning before I left the house, in the evenings, etc. I am trying to embrace the reality that cigarettes do not actually do anything for me, even though I've given them a lot of power psychologically and have come to believe that they help me think or organize my head or feel better or process hurt, etc. What they really do is keep me stuck and contribute to procrastination and demotivation.
It's scary to quit though because of fear of the unknown. How do I live as a nonsmoker? At the same time, I realize that eventually being a nonsmoker will feel normal and I will probably be appalled at all the time and money I spent in cigs.
I made it to day 3! I tried to quit multiple times last summer and the farthest I ever got was 12 days. I feel more optimistic this time around, however, because I am so sick and tired of being sick and tired of it. I want to be a nonsmoker, and the quit is never going to be easy, but we have to go through being uncomfortable to get to the freedom on the other side.
Quitting is scary for me. I am 42 years old and tried my first cigarette when I was 14. I have been smoking all of my adult life, mostly as a closet smoker. I don't smoke in the car or at work--it's something I do (did) in the morning before I left the house, in the evenings, etc. I am trying to embrace the reality that cigarettes do not actually do anything for me, even though I've given them a lot of power psychologically and have come to believe that they help me think or organize my head or feel better or process hurt, etc. What they really do is keep me stuck and contribute to procrastination and demotivation.
It's scary to quit though because of fear of the unknown. How do I live as a nonsmoker? At the same time, I realize that eventually being a nonsmoker will feel normal and I will probably be appalled at all the time and money I spent in cigs.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,978
kadiee "What they really do is keep me stuck and contribute to procrastination and demotivation."
Absolutely! I wasted so much time thinking about my next smoke, leaving whatever I was doing to smoke, buying smokes. It constantly breaks your attention. I can sit through and pay attention to marathon business meetings now. Before I would start to think about my next smoke as soon as I would sit down. I love being smoke free.
Great job on day 3.
Absolutely! I wasted so much time thinking about my next smoke, leaving whatever I was doing to smoke, buying smokes. It constantly breaks your attention. I can sit through and pay attention to marathon business meetings now. Before I would start to think about my next smoke as soon as I would sit down. I love being smoke free.
Great job on day 3.
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,809
This thread is motivating me. I haven't put the smokes down yet, but I will. Reading Alan Carr's "The Easy Way to Quit Smoking." He says not to quit until you are done reading, or when you are far enough through it that you really want to. I just started it. I'm looking forced to the freedom.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Southern U.S.
Posts: 1,030
Congratulations Rusty! That is wonderful.
Today is day 4. I almost can't believe I'm not smoking. Last summer when I tried to quit, I used periods when I was out of town to start. That gave me a change of venue and some days built up before I returned. This time around I am home, and 4 days is a record for me not smoking at home. So I am really hopeful that this time sticks.
I had some really strong cravings yesterday. They feel like surges of anger and anxiety. When the cravings come I try to play the tape through to the end like when I was early in quitting drinking. The tape ends with me feeling defeated, disappointed, and feeling stinky and weighted down and anxious. No thank you!
Yesterday I heard my AV say, well maybe if you get to a week you could try to smoke in moderation. Um, no. I don't do anything in moderation. What I have a hard time understanding is how I can still want to smoke when I hate it so much. Over the years, I have tried to quit (or thought about quitting) countless times. And always for the same reasons. I have written it all out and cut up cigarettes for a day 1 so many times. So, if I know that I have wanted to quit off and on for going on 20 years, then why have I continued to smoke? Why do I want a cigarette right now even though I know I wouldn't enjoy it and be mad at myself about it? Rationally, it makes no sense.
Wishing everyone a sober, smoke-free day.
Today is day 4. I almost can't believe I'm not smoking. Last summer when I tried to quit, I used periods when I was out of town to start. That gave me a change of venue and some days built up before I returned. This time around I am home, and 4 days is a record for me not smoking at home. So I am really hopeful that this time sticks.
I had some really strong cravings yesterday. They feel like surges of anger and anxiety. When the cravings come I try to play the tape through to the end like when I was early in quitting drinking. The tape ends with me feeling defeated, disappointed, and feeling stinky and weighted down and anxious. No thank you!
Yesterday I heard my AV say, well maybe if you get to a week you could try to smoke in moderation. Um, no. I don't do anything in moderation. What I have a hard time understanding is how I can still want to smoke when I hate it so much. Over the years, I have tried to quit (or thought about quitting) countless times. And always for the same reasons. I have written it all out and cut up cigarettes for a day 1 so many times. So, if I know that I have wanted to quit off and on for going on 20 years, then why have I continued to smoke? Why do I want a cigarette right now even though I know I wouldn't enjoy it and be mad at myself about it? Rationally, it makes no sense.
Wishing everyone a sober, smoke-free day.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Southern U.S.
Posts: 1,030
gettingsmarterStill hanging in there on day 4. I teach so have a lot of free time in the summer. Need to keep busy and stay out of the house. Went to the gym earlier and now off to school to get some work done.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,303
Hi all I am on day 10 and feel like the worst is over.
Days 4, 5 and 6 were when I had the biggest cravings but I am through it and looking forward to a week away on holiday not smoking
I'm hoping to still be able to post as I have SR on my phone but if not see you in a week
Days 4, 5 and 6 were when I had the biggest cravings but I am through it and looking forward to a week away on holiday not smoking
I'm hoping to still be able to post as I have SR on my phone but if not see you in a week
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