Day 5 needing motivation

[nsd_user663_6426]

I'm proud of myself for getting to Day 5 but I'm finding that I'm starting to lose the get up and go...not the get up and go to stop smoking but motivation to fill in the gaps when I used to smoke (if you get what I mean).

I suppose I'm getting bored and to be honest there's only so much cleaning you can do. Ho hum. That "empty" feeling is growing and I'm not sure how to stop it...does it eventually go as it's driving me crazy. Good luck to all you other quitters. Lisa X

[nsd_user663_6426]

Also....has anyone felt like changing other parts of their life after giving up.

For me it sometimes feels like I've been stuck in such a rut work wise but the fags have helped keep me in that rut (I hope you get what I mean).

I was made redundant not long ago...but was offered a short term contract to replace the permanent contract I had (Yes the good old NHS's excuse for getting rid of expensive employees that have worked for them for ages, replace them with whippersnappers but keep the old staff as they do way more work than the young uns but it looks good on paper that they're been got rid of in the long term).

Well I had to take the short term contract offer as it was deemed "suitable alternative employment" so I couldn't get my redundancy payment, but since quitting the fags I just want to say "blow that contract up yer hole"! and lose my redundancy anyway. I've become complacent in that job and in truth don't really like it anymore, the management is c**p. I'm not going to do anything rash....but just wondered whether anyone else felt like making other changes after giving up fags?

[nsd_user663_35351]

Hi Lisa,

You should be proud of yourself.

I've read a few of your posts and it sounds as if you are going through a roller coaster of a first week, believe me this is completely normal - I am now on day 52 and at this stage my life is now back to normal - in fact better than normal.

The empty feeling you mention WILL go eventually, you just need to stick with it and stay strong mentally, the first week cold turkey is by far the most difficult and in the next 3 or 4 days you should start to see a real change in your way of thinking and the empty feeling will subside.

As far as changing things in your life - Change is good (to an extent, I'm not saying quit your job) but I have definitely had the same thoughts that you have had, and I have managed to change sensible things that I believe with have a positive impact on my quit - for example when I had the "empty" feeling you mentioned I started to go running, go to the gym etc - I found exercise my way of filling the void.

Anyway, I hope this helps - Keep going and stay strong - Believe me when I say it really is worth it - the benefits of quitting are endless.

[nsd_user663_20978]

Also....has anyone felt like changing other parts of their life after giving up.

For me it sometimes feels like I've been stuck in such a rut work wise but the fags have helped keep me in that rut (I hope you get what I mean).

I was made redundant not long ago...but was offered a short term contract to replace the permanent contract I had (Yes the good old NHS's excuse for getting rid of expensive employees that have worked for them for ages, replace them with whippersnappers but keep the old staff as they do way more work than the young uns but it looks good on paper that they're been got rid of in the long term).

Well I had to take the short term contract offer as it was deemed "suitable alternative employment" so I couldn't get my redundancy payment, but since quitting the fags I just want to say "blow that contract up yer hole"! and lose my redundancy anyway. I've become complacent in that job and in truth don't really like it anymore, the management is c**p. I'm not going to do anything rash....but just wondered whether anyone else felt like making other changes after giving up fags?

i absolutely know wat u mean its almost like u are being reborn a new person which u are in effect u are non smoking u

i have signed up for a college course in accountancy start in january that is just so so so not me but i felt i wanted to do something big and different

i would never have considered college back in my smoking days and yes like u say i was in a rut because in my rut i knew when i could fit in my cigarettes

i have also had lots of smaller things i have changed about myself to

i say go for it if its feesable moneywise you are a new sweet smelling, whiter toothed,younger looking, healthier person grab your new life and enjoy

boo

[nsd_user663_32615]

Well I had to take the short term contract offer as it was deemed "suitable alternative employment"

Hi Lisa - really surprised that they can count a short term contract as a suitable alternative - did you get legal advice on this?

I can really understand the urge to hit and run - it sounds as if they are not going out of their way to make you feel valued right now. I suppose the warning needs to be what the alternative plan would be, given that Dastardly Dave and his cronies don't seem to have finished making their cuts yet.....

Well done on sticking with your quit, though - you are doing great!

[nsd_user663_6426]

Mrs T - My friend in the same position got legal advice and after a bit of legal twoing and froing, it didn't matter whether the offered job was a short term contract or not, as long as the job matched 70% of the old one. In some ways, I wish they hadn't offered me anything and just got my redundancy (which would have been a substantial amount).

I think you're right about the con-dems though, this is just the start (I may be cutting my nose off to spite my face). I'm going to just do my job well, go in get the money but do no extra, whilst looking for another good job in the meantime. The old NHS doesn't exist...I always worked short breaks and lunches, worked over, popped in at the weekends...unfortunately I won't be doing that again as the managers within the NHS do on operate on the same good faith. You live and learn eh?

I do have a very strong urge to just spring clean my life along with giving up the fags...it's just a great feeling to have more energy and not be bound by an addiction. When you think about smoking it's a real drag!

I think I'll take your advice and try and get out and about more...maybe a body combat course (would be good at getting rid of pent up angry emotions) or photography course and exercise more. This'll help with the gaps in time. Cheers all for your advice and encouragement.....XXX