I've made it to day 3. It hasn't been too difficult but I'm not feeling very positive. I've started to realise actually how addictive nicotine is. I'm really angry with myself that I ever started smoking as I feel it's going to be a problem for the rest of my life. I can't even imagine now what it must be like for someone to be, for example, drinking a coffee outside a cafe and not even have the thought of smoking cross their mind. The idea of night out without smoking seems strange to me. The only other time I've quit before I made it to the 3 month point and then I don't know what happened. It seems like the addiction runs so deep psychologically. It's strange that I let myself smoke again because during that period I felt so good, so happy; my teeth got whiter, i didn't smell of tobacco, i didn't have a cough, etc... and, more importantly to me, I somehow felt more confident and in control of my life. It was actually on the most creative periods of my life thus far. But then I feel like there is something inside me that doesn't want me to be in control... a side of me that just says "f**k it!" and I start smoking again.
Anyone else think in a similar way?
Any words of wisdom?
peace,
shabby
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And can i say you have actually written your own motivation, possibly without even realising it? lol
You say "It's strange that I let myself smoke again because during that period I felt so good, so happy; my teeth got whiter, i didn't smell of tobacco, i didn't have a cough, etc... and, more importantly to me, I somehow felt more confident and in control of my life. It was actually on the most creative periods of my life thus far."
That tells you straight away you were happier when you werent smoking!
Plus as you know if you stopped before, it definitely gets easier every day. The first week is the hardest, then it gradually gets easier.
Do you know you only have 3 real cravings a day? I read that somewhere on the internet, plus as the weeks go on they go down to one or two cravings a day and last for less than 5 minutes at a time. The rest of the time its the habit that is bothering you!
Do the usual, eat chewing gum, drink water, suck mints etc. Anything that gets you through another day!
I could have written that post so yes i have felt just like you. Ive had a year long quit but still went back to smoking because i felt like i was missing something and i couldnt have fun without lighting up.
I have a holiday booked for July next year and although i am putting all my smoking money into a savings account to use as my spending money I am also thinking how am i going to lay on a sunbed soaking up the sun without smoking I know I am only thinking that because ive never been a non smoker when ive been holidaying abroad so im getting all anxious that its not going to be the same.
Your doing Fantastic to be on day 3 smoke free, well done and try thinking of all the positives to your quits. Thats what im having to do
Firstly - a very big well done on taking that first step and for reaching day 3. It is tough getting just to this stage so you're doing really well.
Like you, I used to wonder what on earth it felt like to be a non-smoker. I cannot really remember ever being a non-smoker. And one of the things that put me off giving up previously is that I didn't want to spend the rest of my life craving a cigarette. And even though I feel SO much better now - I still have that rebellious little voice saying 'go on - just one - it won't hurt'.
I find that thinking of all the stuff that is in cigarettes puts me off - do I really want to ingest rat poison, is there any sense in breathing in gas chamber gas, and what is it with wanting to smoke an insecticide for goodness sakes. Makes it all a bit silly doesn't it - and tends to shut up that rebellious little imp (some people call it the Nico-demon).
Just take it one day at a time - and think of each day as a new adventure to discover a new you coming out. You've done this before - so you know what there is to look forward to. And I believe that a bit of depression at this stage is normal...you can do this, you know you can - so don't give up on this....
You post made perfect sense to me. I once tried to explain to a stop smoking nurse how having a cigarette can make a wonderful moment "Perfect"
She didn't get it and why should she..non-smokers are not missing anything. They can have perfect moments all the time without making themselves ill.
I'm on day 47 of my quit (and have stopped for 3 years in the past). It DOES get easier.
It is possible to drink a coffee outside, go out for an evening in a pub, have that perfect moment. Think of all the people you love and admire who don't smoke...they live perfectly happily without poisoning themselves.
Keep hold of that and your good memories of not smoking before.
When you have your next f*** it moment....do something else!!!
Very well done for reaching day 3 its hard to quit after quitting before then taking up smoking again, done it got the t shirt, but really , not smoking is infinitely superior to smoking, you know that you,ve experienced it.It is possible to enjoy a cup of coffee outside without a cigarette, iv done it recently.i didnt think i would cos i had this image of drinking coffe outside with a smoke, its the only way to drink coffee isnt it? well no actually. it isnt. just try it. its only different . but perfectly possible if you let go of the old ideas. if you keep doing the same thing youll get the same result. You have to re-condition yourself to do the things youve always done with a smoke. without one...problem is it gets boring and we get rebellious and want to be spontaneous, this is when temptation strikes. so beware. cos once an addict always an addict .it doesnt die when u quit it hides and waits. its a total bastard . doesnt take prisoners and will not forgive you for dumping it. but dump it you must.dont look back on smoking through rose tinted glasses, well do but realize that is what your doing. there is no point in carrying on that relationship, what fruit can it bear? read the stuff on why quit website it explains how nicotine latches on to receptors in the brain that deal with survival . we get tricked into beleiving we need to smoke, well the brains mechanisms do .we,re totallly oblivious to it just like we are to most of the brains functions... whyquit .com there are free downloads worth reading..
Yesterday and today I've been mulling over your responses. I guess, as I said, I feel that the addiction to nicotine runs much deeper than it seems. One major thing is the negative effect of doing something, almost constantly, that you know is really stupid. I suppose that adds to the good feeling of quiting as it's almost like reconciling your Reason and your Nature. I remember I used to have a carefree attitude towards it[smoking] but now something eats at me everytime I'm aware of the fact I'm smoking. Self-overcoming... that's what it comes down to. One of the things I'm most proud of is when I decided to learn to play the saxophone. I had all these voices telling me I couldn't do it yet I stuck at it and now, 6 years later, I'm pretty good... well, I can play a tune! Quitting smoking is about training your mind to think about life differently. You're probably thinking: what the hell does he know? Nothing really... I'm just speaking my mind.
Andiebaby, you're right about that being my motivation. I want to get back to that point and stay there.
Moony, it's comforting to know you have similar thoughts. Positivity is the key and recognising that non-smokers aren't all walking around agitated wishing they were smokers!
Fellie, thanks... I won't give up. I think I want to explore the deeper motivations behind why I smoke and try to bolster my strength to fight the habit.
Jenni, I can't promise but I'll try and stick with the forum
Lizzie, I relate exactly to what you are saying. I think we have to uncondition ourselves from that idea of a "perfect moment".
Interesting... I think the "secret" is to give up on what we perceive to be our best friend?!?! Eeasier said than done but we're kind of defending the fact we (used to) smoke as we had some great times together holidays, coffee breaks, nights out, driving... always there for us and, as you say, it goes deeper than just addiction.
I'm sort of going through the same stuff, not so bad physically but thinking wtf am I going to do with my life now etc. Other people manage just fine so I think it just takes time. Like a bad breakup I guess
Interesting... I think the "secret" is to give up on what we perceive to be our best friend?!?! Eeasier said than done but we're kind of defending the fact we (used to) smoke as we had some great times together holidays, coffee breaks, nights out, driving... always there for us and, as you say, it goes deeper than just addiction.
I'm sort of going through the same stuff, not so bad physically but thinking wtf am I going to do with my life now etc. Other people manage just fine so I think it just takes time. Like a bad breakup I guess
Very strange stuff
Good luck
people often relate quitting smoking to a 'loss' so these feelings we have of not knowing what to do now, and thinking we'll never be truly happy without a fag is the hard part to get past....
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I know I am only thinking that because ive never been a non smoker when ive been holidaying abroad so im getting all anxious that its not going to be the same.
