Difficult Day 30

[nsd_user663_60661]

On day 30 now and I think I have become bored of quitting, forgotten the reasons I wanted to quit in the first place, and got used to the benefits.

Can anyone point me in the direction of any posts which talk about how horrible smoking is?

I don't think I'm in danger of lighting up but I haven't craved this strongly since the first week.

[nsd_user663_61429]

Hi Matthew,

I am sure some of the reasons you quit are the same as the rest of us

Health

Wealth

Self respect

Work out how much cash you have saved and how many cigs you have not smoked and then times it by another 30 days and then 6 months etc.

Write your reasons down and refer to them when you are feeling like this

You are doing wonderfully well.

xxx

[nsd_user663_60964]

Matt, you've been fortunate I think in having a comparitively easy ride up until now, mainly I suspect because your head has been in the right place from the start. If Max were here (I'm sure he will be in due course) he would say that the route to a successful quit is to take the rough times with the smooth and hold on in there no matter what obstacles appear in your path. Tracey said recently that the secret is really an obvious one- just keep going- and she's quite right.

I think what you have to do now is to accept that you've hit a difficult patch but tell yourself until you're blue in the face that you're carrying on regardless. If you can do that, this will pass before you know it and you'll be out the other side of it.

Hold on Matt- I know you can do it.

[nsd_user663_2681]

Hi Matt,

I think it's very common for people to get bored of quitting and as you rightly say we forget the reasons why we quit and start thinking of smoking once again, almost romanticising "the good old days" the thing is, in a weird way this is a positive thing, it's showing that the horrible nicodemon is trying desperately a one last ditch attempt if you like to lure you back in... The hold on you is weakening and nicotine will do ANYTHING to convince you that it's a good idea, "to have just one" but it's not a good idea, you know that.... As a serial quitter I have fallen for that too many times.... It literally takes just one cigarette to get hooked again... Don't give the swine the satisfaction instead think of how lovely you smell, how much better your breathing and circulation is and how much dough you have saved don't fall into the trap that I and so many others have on here, keep it going, I promise you that one fag is not it's all cracked up to be, nor is going back to day 1, positive vibes being sent your way bud xx

[nsd_user663_59644]

My word, I have as not yet found anything else that cost 50p every half hour, that makes us think this is great, because IT'S NOT GREAT. But you know that my lovely.

We all know the benefits of not smoking, but it does take a while forums to grasp that smoking is just not worth doing.

Bad teeth

Bad hair

Yellow fingers

Clothes smell

House smells

We smell

Hard to breath

Expensive

Trapping us, smoke morning noon and night!

Anti social

Taking all our time

The list goes on.

I suppose for me there is a realisation that I have given something up, and to a degree miss it, but am sure in time I will not give smoking a thought, it traps us.

[nsd_user663_60661]

Been having a good think today.

I remember when I smoked, I knew how much I smelled, I would be embarrassed coming back to my desk at work, worrying about whether my colleagues would think I would stink.

I would pray noone sat next to me on the bus because I didn't want them to smell me reeking of smoke.

My fingers were yellow and I would even wash my hands in bleach and rub the stains with a scratchy sponge.

I would light up a cigarette then realize that I'd just had one 2 seconds ago.

Looking in the mirror I would sometimes look 10 years older. My skin was pale and grey now it is healthy and peachy.

I had taken out payday loans in the past to pay for fags at the end of the month. I was constantly worrying about how much I was spending on them. Now I've saved over 200 quid.

If I was having a fag around nonsmokers I would feel really awkward and go to all sorts of lengths to make sure I wouldn't blow smoke on them. Now I don't have to worry about that.

Yellow/brown patches on teeth dissappearing. Next time I go to dentist I won't have to listen to a lecture.

My chest doesn't make weird noises when I breathe in.

I don't get out of breath.

[nsd_user663_2681]

Exactly Matt, there's your answer

[nsd_user663_60661]

Found this as I was reading thru the forum and it has really helped.

Stop and think about it Val, why do you want to smoke?

Are the cigarettes actually any more attractive now than they were a week ago? Are they any less dangerous? Any less expensive? Any less smelly? Any less poisonous? Are they going to affect your life in any positive way? Will your health benefit? Will your finances? Your personal relationships? Will you be proud of yourself for returning to life under the smelly thumb? Will your self-esteem improve? Will your skin and hair reap the benefits of your system being once more poisoned by all those noxious chemicals? Will the lingering stench of cigarette smoke give the first impression you want people to have of you?

Somehow your smoker's brain seems to have tricked you into thinking you're missing out on some special treat your colleague is having rather than having succeeded where he has failed. Don't you think he looks at you with pure, unadulterated envy that you have held fast whilst he has crumbled and is back under the stinking yellow thumb of the smelly little oik. He's returned to a life of slavery, satisfying his monster's every demand. Do you really want to join him???

Think about it hon, think long and hard - the one who's being deprived here is your colleague! Deprived of cash, health, freedom, pride - the list is endless!

Stick with it petal, don't throw all your hard work away.

[nsd_user663_2681]

A brilliant post there and very true, glad it's helped