Struggling today

[Kelly-86]

Still getting these cravings I was talking about the other day, I'm a bit confused as they are getting more and more intense. Up until a few days ago I wasn't really craving anymore, I'd maybe think about smoking 3 times a day and soon forget it. Now it almost feels like I'm back to my first week of quitting, I'm thinking about it all the time!

Today is particularly difficult as I stayed at the mother in laws last night (deliveries coming while she's at work today) so I'm sat here in her house all day with nothing to do and she's left 200 fags in the kitchen that she bought back from her holiday! I could so easily just nip in the garden for a smoke, one of the packets is open and I had to move it out of sight lol.

To be honest the only thing that's stopping me is that my other half would be so disappointed if he knew I smoked and I wouldn't be able to lie to him.

Not sure whether I need to go back on NRT but I'd rather not as it's good to know there's no longer any nicotine in my system after getting off the NRT about 3 weeks ago now. And if I did go back on it, I'd only have to go through this again anyway.

Any advise would be appreciated! 🙂

[Telboy61 4 Years Smoke Free]

Your doing brill like yourself I still have them moments wanting to go to the shops and grab a pack of smokes , I've had hundreds of craves during my none smoking journey but belive me your going through the same as every ex smoking human , it will get better your just on a I need a smoke moment , fight the good fight and it will get easy , soon as you have one try to off set your mind onto the reason why you want to quit or do a 10 second on the spot jog 👍keep at it 👍

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Telboy61]

Thank you, it's so hard sometimes, I really thought by this stage I'd just be like any other non- smoker, but I have come to accept that although things will get easier in time, I'll always be an addict and I'll probably always have the odd craving! Will definitely try taking my mind off it, I've been signed off work so I think the boredom is making it worse!

[nettynoono Valued Contributor]

hi Kelly, you are doing so so well!! You need to keep your mind active, crosswords,suduko reading bake a cake, anything that keeps you busy. I had a mantra " I will not smoke today" I don't know how many times I said it in the first few months, prob thousands!! But it helped, one day at a time😊 I also walked for miles and miles and miles anything to break away from my normal routine. Hope you have managed to resist the cravings,stay strong you really are doing great😊😊😊

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to nettynoono]

Thanks, that's really helpful! It definitely doesn't seem as daunting to think "I won't smoke today" rather than "I'll never smoke again". I used to go running so I'm thinking of starting that again. I wonder how much easier it will be now my lungs are healing! One day at a time eh!

[nettynoono Valued Contributor]

definitely one day at a time!! My husband(god bless,I know he was trying to be supportive) used to say to me, that's it you have cracked it you will never smoke again and for the first few months it used to make me really tense and agitated cos I was struggling enough with one day nevermind a lifetime!! But now 11 months down the line I can believe it too😊😊😊

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to nettynoono]

That's really encouraging, thanks, 50odd days is nothing really, although it feels like forever it's still early days and I'm sure in time I'll feel a lot more confident!

[Nozmo Valued Contributor]

HIya Kelly,

I don't really have much advice but wanted to congratulate you on sticking to it. You could have easily had a sly cigarette or two in that situation and not told anybody about it...but you didn't.

Well done for being honest to this forum, your other half...and yourself!

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Nozmo]

Thanks Nozmo! 😀👍

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Hey Kelly-86 , firstly well done on resisting that huge temptation of not smoking with them in sight for you (I would suggest that you ask for them to be out sight/hidden as it is unnecessary torture for you). Secondly, well done for posting, you are using the community to the best of its intention to stop you from smoking and so wish all members that struggled / struggle come on here first.

Remember that you still only 3 weeks nicotine free and now going through the icky 3's stage (may have read it in the pinned posts links I previously sent on to you). You need to keep yourself as busy as possible and not let Mr Nico start nagging you again. I done up a 'to do' list of stuff I put on the long finger for years and it kept me going for the first 3 months of my quit, also got a sense of achievement when I got to tick something off the list! You say you are signed off work, maybe when you have the time now, do up that list. I found water a great help too to beat the cravings using a water juicer bottle (sliced cucumber, mint and lemon and topped up with water throughout the day, very refreshing).

My final piece of advice to you is ensure you are quitting solely for yourself and doing it for yourself - you need that mindset to succeed - and my mantra - cravings won't kill me but smoking may well do so... Unfortunately, you are right about the cravings occurring as you are an ex-smoker not a non smoker, BUT, be reassured, these cravings we have long term into our quits are nothing compared to ones you are experiencing now and are very easily just shrugged off now for me.

A song that I had on loop in my head when struggled really helped even though I probably looked and sounded like a mad woman singing it around the house!! You are doing so well and you should be delighted with yourself!

google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to RoisinO1]

Thank you very much, yes I think perhaps she didn't think, I never really go there to be honest!

Yes, I always come on here to read the posts and post myself if I'm having a more difficult day (not to say I don't come on here when everything's good though!). It's like a little safety net for me and I can hand on heart say I would not have made it to this point without you all!

A to-do list is actually a really good idea, I'm getting married in Aug and have a lot to plan which I must admit I'm a bit behind with! Think I've just been feeling a bit sorry for myself haha.

I've been drinking lemon and mint water as I read that you suggested it somewhere on here before and it does help actually!

I am doing it for myself, basically I don't want to die, and this is the 1 main thing I can do to prevent it (until I'm old anyway!).

Haha well whatever helps is good I think! Anything is better than smoking! 😀

[Ldanilovics]

So glad I'm not the only one struggling. 7 weeks and I thought I'm tough, I got this under control. Well slap my face, the last 2 days have been pure torture for me. Crying jags, thoughts of Helter skelter 😫and just hateing the way I'm acting.😣 I know it gets better, but this is real and it blows!!!!Poor dog isn't gonna have legs left. I'm on my way out with him again. It's nice to know other people struggle with this. Feel like my best friend died😥😥

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Ldanilovics]

Wishing you strength Ldanilovics , you are doing great and fighting hard, I promise, it will pay off and in another few weeks, you will be posting how far you have come and easier it has become. See my reply to Kelly above that might help too. By the way, the grieving loss is perfectly normal and will pass, just take it one day at a time

[Ldanilovics in reply to RoisinO1]

Thanks, I Will over come this. Just another life changing moment.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Ldanilovics]

And what a great life changing moment it is

[Hercu Valued Contributor in reply to RoisinO1]

And the best ever thought about live changing moment !!!!

[Jackinosmoke 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Ldanilovics]

I am only 9 days into my journey with no cigs, but 9 LONG days ago when I quit and still feel the same way, I told my 22 yr old daughter that I felt like I have lost my Best friend 😥 she said , well Mom its time for new friends. Lol

😂

[Ldanilovics in reply to Jackinosmoke]

I understand that.daughter is right. Time for new friends. Keep up the hard work.

[Kelly-86 2 Years Smoke Free]

I know exactly how you feel regarding the loss. Ciggarettes were like a friend, always there, always providing that little bit of reassurance. Except, it was all in my head really, I was adddicted to the chemicals and got used to the physical action and that's it, they aren't a friend and they will only do us harm... it's really hard but I do believe we will get there. We just have to remember why we quit. I've also been walking my dogs a lot- I have 3 so I can spread the walks out a bit haha!