Stress

[Andstillirise]

Not sure what day I am on , only know that I’m pretty close to triple digits . 

Im really struggling right now . I feel like smoking . I’ve been dreaming about it the last few nights and while I’m on my runs and a car passes by and someone is smoking and I can smell it , I feel like smoking ! 

Several stressful events have happened the past week . So I’m a bit worn down but using my energy that I have to remind myself that smoking will do nothing for my stress except make it worse . I’m doing lots of things to distract my mind and stay busy but the craving is still there . 

Just wanted to say I’m struggling , but I’m not going to smoke . 

[Barbscloud]

Glad you came here to post.   NML's can be a difficult time for anyone.   Because you're thinking about it is normal.  What's outstanding, is you're not going to smoke.  Having dreams about smoking isn't uncommon and I still like the way a lit cigarette smells.   But "we don't do that anymore".

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2011/05/24/no-mans-land-days-30-to130-appr... 

[marciem]

Good job, Andstillirise‌ ... It can be tough, and you are apparently in No Man's Land, where sometimes the struggle doesn't seem worth the reward... which is another lie that nicotine addiction tells us!  That coupled with life stressers which will always happen, can be real triggers.

Just know that smoking won't make anything better.  At this point, it won't  make you feel better like you think it will.. the comfortable happy smoker has left the building, and all you will get is regrets and recriminations and "what the **** was I thinkin'??" .

And... get this... not only will smoking not make anything better, but NOT smoking makes EVERYthing better... yes it does.    Maybe not perfect, it won't fix the car or give you a raise or make your boss less demanding... but it does make life better being a nonsmoker, and you really didn't come this far only to get this far!  (thankyew Tom Brady  )

A friend of mine once said:

Not a day will ever go by that life is 100% perfect.
But 100% of the days are better not smoking    

And at the end of the crappiest day, you can lay your head on your pillow and say "I didn't smoke today", and that is a WIN no matter how you look at it.  At least that thought always brightens my mind.

Hang on, and come here and rant if you need to.  Do anything but smoke!

[JACKIE1-25-15]

It is always good to come here and discuss what is going on.  Stay connected, never give up never give in.  You will go through times like this.  It is part of the process.  The addictive brain wants to be in control.  Breathe and let it go.   Remember, just because you think of something should not give permission to act upon.  Milestones have a tendency to activate these thoughts.  It no longer has ahold but wants to. Stay free.   A wise elder once said.  It is better to think about smoking than to have to think about having to quit.  You are doing great, the journey continues, keep stacking those days. .  Good job. 

[indingrl]

Thanks for sharing- no worries WE ALL STRESS AND NEED HELP TOO- YOUR not alone - ONE BREATHE at a time and in the stressful moments for ME- please NOT talking about anyone else  - The Serenity Prayer HELPS - just sharing- the prayer - God grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change - Courage to change the things I can and the WISDOM to know the difference- YOU have chosen the best - to blog BEFORE YOU take that FIRST PUFF over YOU and VENTING blogs are GOOD stress relief - WAY TO GO and YOU can DO as MANY as YOU need to and NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF EVER - then empathy is shared because I am where YOUR at - stresses in moments of MY day - 3 deep breathes HELP ME - please take what HELPS and let go of the rest -  to be HELPFUL is MY only aim -  thank you - CONGRATS ON 95 NICOTINE FREE DAYS TODAY MY BELOVED RECOVERY FROM NICOTINE SISTER - GOOD JOB! gentle hug❤ 

[YoungAtHeart]

YOU are in total control of whether you smoke or not. 

Don't!  You are almost THERE and it will get easier, I promise!

Nancy

[gregp136]

Yes, Andstillirise‌, right now with your quit in the past, you are forgeting all the reasons you came here in the first place.  And yes, life throws a ton of crap at us, and we need to relearn how to deal with it without cigarettes.  I am one who failed two years ago and just now am back to not smoking, but only in my first month.  You will be proud of yourself for getting through this rough patch, and dang it, you ARE going to do it!

[sweetplt]

Hi Andstillirise I am so sorry you are going through this stress and wanting to smoke...I can tell you I am 227 Days quit and I barely think about and/or have a crave anymore...hang in there ... it does get better...sending some good vibrations your way ~ hoping tomorrow is a better day for you ~ Colleen 227 DOF 

[Andstillirise]

Thank you everyone for all the encouragement ! I am at 97 days !! 3 more days and I’m at triple digits ! 

That in itself is a reason to keep on keeping on ....

i spent the day at the lake swimming with my beloved dog and reading . Extreme care is maybe what I need at the moment . Just to be still and not be doing so much for everyone else in my life . 

Also I had to quit caffeine about a week ago because lately it’s made me super jittery and almost to the point of a panic attack . Not sure what that’s all about but after 30 years of being a heavy caffeinated tea and soda drinker that has been making me a bit off too . 

No worries , feelings are not facts . Just because I feel like smoking doesn’t mean I will . Quite the opposite . If I feel like it and I talk about it and just accept that’s how I feel , the urge will go away . Right ? Lol

lets hope so ! 

[elvan]

Stay close, we have all been there, it is part of the journey.  Will look forward to your entry into the Triple Digit Club.

Ellen