When does it get better?

[jenjen4thewin]

This is day one for me and already I've felt irritation, anger, and sadness. Also, it's been such a habit for me that every now and then I think "I'm going to go smoke" and then I realize no I'm supposed to be quitting and then I feel sad. Like on the outside I look pretty chill, but on the inside it's like watching the grand finale of fireworks on the 4th of July. 

Does it get easier?

[elvan]

Of COURSE, it gets easier and I daresay that the majority of us have asked that same question..when does it get easier?  Just know that it WILL, it takes time and you need to be particularly gentle with yourself.  Don't worry about looking chill on the outside, work on the inside and allowing yourself to feel those feelings that you stuffed when you smoked.

You CAN do this...BELIEVE,

Ellen

[Roj]

Congrats on day 1...be proud...seriously the most helpful thing is to change your mindset, how do you do that you ask? Read Alan Carr’s book which you can get online...I am day 21 and smoked for 46 years...yes there are tough times but you just replace the “oh my gosh I’m dying for a cigarette” to “if I keep smoking it WILL kill me” and deep breath, straw chew, walk it through the crave....you got this.

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I hope your day one was a day WON. The journey continues one day at a time.

[Chuckster]

Yes, it does get easier but the fact remains that it IS HARD. My personal experience is that it was the hardest thing I had to do in my life. Your experience may be the same or different but it will be YOURS.... I can tell you this, becomeanex DOES work. I am 3234 days free of smoking and it has been the most rewarding experience of my life.

[indingrl]

CONGRATS NICOTINE FREEDOM

[Vicspin]

Congrats! It does get easier despite my best attempts to be in a lousy mood. I am on day 5. I found straws to be so helpful, I chew on it and take deep breaths through it. The water is great as well as gum. My emotions were a mess the first few days but they have gotten better, I still am feeling overwhelmed around people. 

This is an addiction and it takes time to get past it. I used it to hide emotions and escape and feel comfortable. Another thing that helped me was to write about it. It was all fear, fear of being uncomfortable, fear of going through the withdrawal stage, fear of dealing with my emotions then I wrote about why I am doing this. It helps to look back at my WHY. Find the gratitude.

Read the Carr book that has been mentioned, it is a quick read, I downloaded it from Amazon. 

Oh, and posting rants on here and complaining in my blogs, this is where to get it out because my family does not understand. Everyone is so supportive and other's blogs are soooo helpful.

You can do this with support, that is why we are here.

[toddsmith23]

Hello BarbiGene!! Believe it or not, it's already gotten better for you. You've done what many people don't have the courage to do, you took the first step. Congrats on that!! Don't worry about next week or next month, just take it one day at a time and before you know it you'll be way down the road of being out of the slavery of smoking and enjoying your freedom. 

Today is your goal, not tomorrow. Keep foremost in your mind why you took the first step, believe in that and most importantly believe in yourself and you will succeed. 

It really helps to visit this support group daily, or more often if you can. Make sure you've got your cell number in your profile and the site will send you very encouraging text messages (saved my butt!!)

If you're using any quit aids like nico-gum or whatever, make sure you follow the directions to the 't'. These aids really help (depending on the person). Make sure you let your doctor know too, he/she will be your biggest fan and will do much to help and encourage you.

You've got a lot of resources available to you, but remember, you're successful right now because you've already quit. Don't give up...one day at a time.

PS: i really understand the sadness you're feeling. It's like losing an old friend. Jeez... what a friend, right? Somehow i don't think 'friend' is the right word 

[kindofodd]

I'm on day 23 (after having two long quits in the past- 18 mos and 26 mos). For me those first three days are the suckiest things ever. Once those are out of the way, going back is less of an option. I still have that split second of forgetting I don't smoke anymore occasionally. The cravings may keep coming back but they don't last.

Delay and distract. Repeat.

It does get easier!

[kindofodd]

Someone just shared this with me on another thread and I thought of you

/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months 

[Giulia]

WHEN DOES IT GET EASY??????   You're not losing your old self during this process.  I think that's part of why we feel sad.  What's actually happening is that we're gaining a new aspect of ourselves which at first feels uncomfortable.  Like a new pair of shoes, we have to wear our new smoke-free behavior for a while to break it in.  Keep working at it.  You're worth it.