Quitting Smoking is definitely difficult but at some point in life we all must quit and for me after 40 yrs of slavery to the disgusting Cancer Sticks I decided that I didn't want to be 6 feet under when I quit. With the right mindset anyone can quit smoking but you must believe in yourself, be willing, determined and totally committed to go through whatever cravings and withdrawals, mood swings and the ups and downs of the roller coaster but I know and so do all the ex smokers that you can and will be successful but you must want it more than anything else on the face of this earth and you'll get through the rough patches and come out the other side smiling so stick with your quit and relearn different ways of dealing with life's issues without the crutch of smoking because you can, believe it and bite the bullet because there's life after cigarettes and it's super fantastic.
Community
It certainly IS doable and it also certainly poses some challenges at the beginning...and sometimes along the way. It's been a while since I have felt anything I would call a real crave but I certainly have memories.
Have a beautiful Thursday,
Ellen
I deliver Meals-on-Wheels once a week. One lady is on oxygen and I asked her if she was a smoker. She said yes, but quit 25 years ago. I look at all the people I know my age who have physical disabilities, and who have, yes smoked all their lives. Right now, even though I smoke, I do exercise a lot, and am in good health (except for high blood pressure controlled by medication). Once when I was having a free blood pressure check, I asked the nurse about smoking. She said it constricts the blood vessels. But that didn't stop me. My quite date is 6/23, so I'm making plans: get dressed and busy first thing in the morning, read all the literature available on the addiction and it's side effects/risks. An hypnosis CD I have talks about nicotine being the addictive part, but the other "gases", "chemicals" found in cigarette are the hidden dangers. Why are we so careful to feed ourselves properly, exercise, take care of the house, car, others, etc, and yet we smoke (which is not really taking care of ourselves)? Maybe it's a lack of self-awareness/self-esteem. We should approach this with a mindset that God made us in His image and likeness. Never saw any artwork portraying God smoking!
I am a retired RN, I was always in good physical shape, worked out, ate right...then I got sidelined for a while with rheumatoid arthritis. When I found this site, it changed my life. I was able to look at smoking as an addiction and I read everything I could find to prepare myself. I tracked cigarettes and identified my personal triggers and then I planned for what to do INSTEAD of smoking. I couldn't plan for EVERYTHING because that is not how life works. I did learn to take things one day at a time, one event at a time, one feeling at a time and I got a bonus that everyone who stays quit gets. I got to know myself without stuffing my feelings into a cigarette. I learned how to deal with life without smoking...you know, like NON addicts do? It's a journey but it is so worth it. I used the acronym from here NOPE, a LOT, Not One Puff Ever and I came to this site every morning and every evening. I read and I planned and I commented and I blogged and I LISTENED to the advice of those ahead of me or right beside me to see what was working for them.
Welcome to EX,
Ellen
It is so doable. Thank you for inspiring me each day to keep going!
Enjoy your day today!
xoxo
Freedom!! And - look at you - almost three years!!
I'm on day 97 and having a rough time lately. Thanks for the inspiration.
Norma
nmcfar4430 Sorry you are having a rough time, you are only three days away from the TRIPLE DIGIT CLUB! I have heard that it is not uncommon to have some issues around that time. I, personally, was celebrating because I was SO HAPPY to be quit. Take it one day at a time, one happening at a time, deep breaths, cold water, blog, read, blog some more, stay close to the site and let people know what is going on in your life. PLEASE remember that smoking will not help anything even if your addiction tells you that it will...it does not relieve physical pain, depression, stress, anger, or any other emotion you can name. It does NOT HELP and no crave ever killed anyone, can't say the same thing about smoking. ONE DAY AT A TIME...when that it too long, one hour, one minute, one second at a time. You CAN do this. Seriously, it is SO worth it.
Ellen
Thanks for your support. I don't know why the depression has returned. I thought that by the third month, I would be past all of that. Still trying very hard to stay focused on my quit. I guess i need to go back to the one minute, one hour at a time.
If it is possible, try to do something active...walk, bike, do exercises...it releases dopamine and helps immensely with depression. I think depression is cyclic and we all go through it...smoking didn't really HELP it, actually, it is much more likely to extend it. Hang in there and PLEASE remember that we are here and BLOG, let others know what is going on. There are many people on this site who deal with depression and don't smoke over it.
Best,
Ellen