Been reflecting on the last 3 weeks and the process of quitting.
I was genuinely worried that quitting would be the end of my life as I knew it, that I would spend all my time trying not to smoke and missing smoking. In truth, I was terrified.
Now, only 3 weeks into it, I am amazed that life is pretty normal. Of course I have my moments and at this early stage there are new situations that I have to adjust to without smoking, but I'm not dead, not a basket-case (any more than usual ;)), and in spite of a few stumbles, I'm still off them and feeling pretty positive.
My chest is clearer, I can climb all stairs to the attic without a problem now, I don't have the cough that EVERYONE associated with me, I sleep better, my skin is clearer and my eyes brighter....the list goes on and this is only the very first two weeks!
Don't get me wrong, I'm still a bit worried about staying off, especially post-Champix, and I have moments where I just think 'feck it', but it has been much easier and much more beneficial than I ever thought possilbe.
Just my thoughts, today. Tomorrow I may feel differently....but for now I'm delighted with myself so I'll enjoy it. I hope you guys have good days like today too!:D:D
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I have felt exactly the same way. I agree the thought of doing this without the Champix is quite scary so I have decided that I am going to come of it gradually. I have now cut down to 1mg as I forgot a few in the mornings and I was fine so I have just kept to the evening one. Felt that my craves grew a little stronger but not strong enough to give in. I am probably about a week ahead of you.
OH tried the same but his crave was a bit worse so has gone back to the 2mg for now (he did smoke for longer).
Excellent post. Well done. I remember having that feeling too that somehow I wouldn't be 'me' without cigarettes and nothing would ever be enjoyable without cigarettes. It's just a mind game those little white sticks play on you.
In reality - as you discover after a few weeks - you are 'me' but a better 'me' because you don't have to run your life around when to have the next cigarette.
I did it the Champix way too. I found I just came off them gradually - in fact, I came off about a month before the end of the course. Physically you will be over the craving then - it's just the psychological barrier of doing without them and cigarettes - but when you've got that far you'll be OK - provide you don't take even a puff!
Great post! I think you hit on (at least) one of the key points in saying that people fear that their life is going to somehow change and that they will no longer be themselves. It raises all sorts of questions and fears about what to do and how to spend time instead of smoking, having to find an alternative to one's current lifestyle, and loathing having to 'play act' for a while until the new way of living feels more natural. While you're occupying time to prevent yourself from smoking, your head may be chanting 'I want a cig, I want a cig, I want a cig...'
The fact is, for a certain amount of time the new way of life will be different and feel different. What is important is to ACCEPT that things will be different for a while, but that the new lifestyle WILL become the norm at some point. The process is gradual, and can be hard to bear at first, but with perserverence, the scales will tip in the direction of being a ex-smoker to such a degree that you will probably wonder what the fuss was all about.
It is not difficult to be a ex-smoker, but it is difficult to become one. Once you are there, life is so much easier.
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