I am feeling calm, relaxed and enjoying the journey of my new healthier life as a non-smoker.
I am not getting many cravings but more thoughts of despair, panic and anxiety at the void in my life of never smoking again, during hard times, stressful times, celebrations, sunny evenings siting outside with a drink, boredom on holidays, comforting a smoker in distress, the situations goes on.....
I am now at the stage of my quit that I need to come up with a way of doing all of the above without reaching for that cigarette, I will have to keep telling / asking myself what does a cigarette do in any of these situations - nothing only cause your body harm....
Since I quit 17 days ago, there have been many positives - sleeping and breathing better, no longer guilty of being a smoker, smelling better and getting alot more cuddles from my hubbie and we are enjoying each others company more now, calmer, able to laugh without starting to choke, getting alot more done at work, happy with myself and sense of achievement, setting new plans now that I am not wasting money on smokes to go on holidays, paint the house etc..., setting new plans to get fit and healthier.
But there are negatives - I thought after Week 2 I would be over the worst of it and be on top of the world, feeling great, healthy and ready to take on everything and anything but unfortunately as the ones at this stage know, that is not the case - our bodies / brain / mind are still getting used to not getting their nicotine fix and play tricks on us.
I have developed slight hypochondria,and paranoia, every little twinge, cough, pain I suddenly think have I left it too late to quit, the damage is done, I have ruined my body and the anger sets in and then fear and what is the point in putting myself through all of this, but the fact is, it is never too late to quit and the human body can surprisingly heal itself very well over time.
I know these feelings will pass, please god, we all get through it and come out the other side....
