Day 7 of quitting in a city full of smokers

[nsd_user663_39012]

I found this forum like lots of other people in a moment of intense-craving-argh-quick-Google-search-to-take-your-mind-off-it, and it's been so useful to read people's quit stories and all the support! So I've decided to join so I can chronicle my quit experiences here.

I'm on day 7 today of cold turkey, and today has SUUUUUCKED. Sucked! Sucked so bad! I have been an emotional basketcase! I've nearly cried a few times. It's not just cravings, it's this feeling of intense emotional fragility, and the sense that everything in the world is awful and the sky is about to fall on my head. But today has sucked, and I haven't smoked a cigarette, so I guess I still win.

I live in a city where everyone smokes, everywhere (Berlin, Germany, where as far as tobacco is concerned it's still 1973). You can still smoke in bars and restaurants here, and every 2nd person on the street has a cigarette in their hand. That hasn't been too hard to deal with for most of the last week but today when I went out for a walk the sight and smell of cigarettes EVERYWHERE hit me like a punch in the gut. It didn't make me want to smoke, though, it made me want to cry.

So far my quit strategy has been avoiding trigger situations (bars & parties) and trigger substances (coffee, alcohol) and distracting myself with snacks & knitting. It's worked in that I haven't smoked.

But, I'm worried about the future. There aren't many places I socialize where cigarettes aren't present, and a lot of my friends are smokers. I quit for a couple of weeks a few months ago and as soon as I was going out to bars again, I felt how quickly my determination not to smoke was eroded by alcohol and seeing everyone else smoke. I'm happy to be a complete hermit and stay out of bars, cafes and parties for the next few weeks at least (maybe months even- it's winter after all, maybe I can just stay at home with my knitting until April!), but I'm not sure how long the strategy of 'avoid my entire social life' is going to be healthy for me. I'm scared that when I start going out again I won't be able to stay away from cigarettes, and I would REALLY love to hear some encouraging stories about being out and about in bars and parties as a new ex-smoker and not giving in!

Meanwhile I guess I need to stop worrying about the future so much and just be proud of myself for getting here, day 7, and being absolutely determined not to go back (not for a single cigarette, not for a single puff, no matter how drunk I am nor how attractive is the person offering it to me!).

[nsd_user663_38091]

But, I'm worried about the future. There aren't many places I socialize where cigarettes aren't present, and a lot of my friends are smokers. I quit for a couple of weeks a few months ago and as soon as I was going out to bars again, I felt how quickly my determination not to smoke was eroded by alcohol and seeing everyone else smoke. I'm happy to be a complete hermit and stay out of bars, cafes and parties for the next few weeks at least (maybe months even- it's winter after all, maybe I can just stay at home with my knitting until April!), but I'm not sure how long the strategy of 'avoid my entire social life' is going to be healthy for me. I'm scared that when I start going out again I won't be able to stay away from cigarettes, and I would REALLY love to hear some encouraging stories about being out and about in bars and parties as a new ex-smoker and not giving in!

Hi welcome and many many congrats on getting through the first week.....

There is no hard and fast rule.....you have to do what's right for you.....I know for the first 2 weeks I gave up coffee the same time as I packed in smoking as for me that was a massive trigger.....

You are at the start of your journey and at times it's going to be tough....come on here and get the support ......it really helps.....

you can do this and as each day passes you will get stronger.....I went out on Friday night for the first time since I gave up smoking......drank plenty of alcohol and rubbed my hands with glee that I wasn't smoking

Good Luck .....we are all here for you

Michelle

[nsd_user663_37039]

Hiya Glitter and can I echo Michelle's congratulations on getting through the first week - thats awesome... I know I hit a bad patch around day 7-9, but it does get better... I know its a cliche and you've been there yourself before, just know that it does get better.

As Michelle I ventured out and had a few drinks a few nights ago and she is right. If you can get you mind around the fact that your DONT smoke anymore, part of the battle is won, without even trying... A big part of this ongoing battle with the little nico-demon is psychological. One of the guys I work with smokes and I didnt realise just how bad the smell sticks to your clothes until the last week or so (now I know why you chose the name you did wtsn ;))

But there is so much more to it, so many more reasons to stop than to continue... By far the best tip I can give is use this forum and take strength and motivation from the posts here... I know I wouldnt have falterred without the help and support of the awesome folks here...

Keep at it and stay strong - It is a good thing you're doing, its a good thing we're doing

[nsd_user663_20412]

Hey, congrats on getting through the first full week of non smoking. We've all been there..... Just remember, in the grand scale of things, its only a small minority of people that actually smoke..... the MAJORITY of the world doesnt.

WELL DONE.....

[nsd_user663_25112]

Hi Glitter, Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first week. Stay fpcused and you will get further in to your quit. We are all here to help so just keep reading posts and remember to keep posting too. Good luck in your week 2.

Jacqui

Quit: 14.11.11.

Proud member of the November N.O.P.E group.

Live long and prosper.