1 Whole Week, Smoke-Free

Blog Post created by B-La on Jan 20, 2018

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Hello and Good Day to You All.

Day # 7 without the almost constant desire for smokes. I have my plan for the Day in place and nothing will overpower all the tools I have at the ready.

I think one of the biggest reasons I wanted that first cigarette in the past was the desire for that little buzz, that sense of ease and comfort I thought a smoke would give me. But with the nicotine patch on my arm, that little buzz can't happen. All that's left is my mind's state and I have that in control ToDay, at least, most of the time. I call it course-correction. Anger is maybe my worst enemy. If, when it arises, I notice the agitation right away and correct my mind's course by redirecting my thinking to something more beneficial, it loses it's power.

This morning, I woke up remembering my dream. Something happened that ticked me off. I held onto that angry feeling, cultivating it, indulging in it. Then, the next thing I recall is being in a store, buying cigarettes and a lighter. When I left the store I found myself engaged in another activity and when I had the chance to light up, I didn't want to throw my 6 full days of being quit away. I knew the meaning of the dream right away...apply the course-correction method as soon as possible after realizing any agitation.

A craving may arise but I am confident that with all my tools and commitment, I will not indulge it to the point where it becomes a problem and I pick up...Just For ToDay.

Outcomes

Youngatheart.7.4.12 Jan 20, 2018 12:44 PM

I recommend you open that pack of cigarettes under a running faucet and watch your money go down the drain. I am SO proud that you didn't ALSO wash your quit down there!!!!! Throw out the lighter, too - unless you have candles or a barbecue in your life!

Perhaps you can make a plan NOW how you will handle that anger in the future? Will you maybe go for a brisk walk, or curse into a pillow (or out loud if you live alone) or punch it until you are spent. Maybe count down fro 1,000? Maybe march in place? You might also take a minute to understand WHY you are angry. You are re- learning your life as an ex-smoker - and this is part of the journey. What do you think people who never smoked do when angry? If you know any, maybe you can ask them!

At the end of today, H#ll Week will be YOURS! You conquered it! Now - on to Heck Week and the rest of your life.

I am SO proud of you!

Nancy

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jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Jan 20, 2018 12:53 PM

I say GOOD FOR YOU

If you ever did buy a pack, buy some maple syrup to soak them in, the organic kind. Make sure you do it on a Wednesday when there are no clouds. 1am is perfect. Drive a red car, go to the 710 instead of the 711.

It was a dream a dream. :-)

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Daniela-3-11-2016 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Jan 20, 2018 4:12 PM

You are too funny Dale..

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Daniela-3-11-2016 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Jan 20, 2018 4:23 PM

I think you bought the cigarettes in your dream, and we all had these dreams for a while after we quit. The feeling of relief when we get up and realize our smoking was not real!!!

You getting angry probably is the same as me having cried my heart out the first several weeks. Frustrated we could not continue to give ourselves the high we used to, maybe...We learn ways to live without it. But this too shall pass.

You say you re-direct your thoughts, whatever it takes. I was physically changing places in the house, walking away from the spot where I was when the crave hit.

We all react differently, and have different ways to deal with the craves. Whatever helps you to keep you away from the cigarettes is good!

You are completing the most difficult week, congratulations!

Have you read https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months ?

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maryfreecig Jan 20, 2018 4:48 PM

Way to go. Congratulations on one full week. Thanks for sharing your journey.

1 person found this helpful

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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Jan 20, 2018 7:24 PM

You are doing great but you really should destroy those cigarettes if you haven't already and a super duper Congratulations on your splendiferous 7 stupendous days of Smokefree living and counting WTG.

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B-La Jan 20, 2018 8:15 PM

I re-read my post and can see where I didn't fully explain that buying the smokes and lighter as well as getting angry was all part of the dream. I haven't got really upset or angry for a long time, a tad edgy at times or a little anxious, maybe. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but if it does, after that dream, I will be sure not to indulge those harsh feelings. I'm actually amazed at how calm I've been this week. I suppose the patches and the Zyban have a lot to do with that.

Thanks for all your encouragement!

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Youngatheart.7.4.12 @ B-La on Jan 20, 2018 9:53 PM

Whew! SO glad it was a dream!!!!!

And - FYI - unlike what we believed, most folks report feeling less stressed and less angry after they quit. I have found that I am more patient. Who gnu?

Nancy

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elvan Jan 21, 2018 12:24 AM

I am SO GLAD to hear that you didn't really buy cigarettes. Congratulations on one week

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9 Comments

Youngatheart.7.4.12 Jan 20, 2018 12:44 PM
I recommend you open that pack of cigarettes under a running faucet and watch your money go down the drain. I am SO proud that you didn't ALSO wash your quit down there!!!!! Throw out the lighter, too - unless you have candles or a barbecue in your life!
Perhaps you can make a plan NOW how you will handle that anger in the future? Will you maybe go for a brisk walk, or curse into a pillow (or out loud if you live alone) or punch it until you are spent. Maybe count down fro 1,000? Maybe march in place? You might also take a minute to understand WHY you are angry. You are re- learning your life as an ex-smoker - and this is part of the journey. What do you think people who never smoked do when angry? If you know any, maybe you can ask them!
At the end of today, H#ll Week will be YOURS! You conquered it! Now - on to Heck Week and the rest of your life.
I am SO proud of you!
Nancy
1 person found this helpful
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jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Jan 20, 2018 12:53 PM
I say GOOD FOR YOU
If you ever did buy a pack, buy some maple syrup to soak them in, the organic kind. Make sure you do it on a Wednesday when there are no clouds. 1am is perfect. Drive a red car, go to the 710 instead of the 711.
It was a dream a dream. :-)
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- Daniela-3-11-2016 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Jan 20, 2018 4:12 PM
  You are too funny Dale..
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
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- Daniela-3-11-2016 @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Jan 20, 2018 4:23 PM
  I think you bought the cigarettes in your dream, and we all had these dreams for a while after we quit. The feeling of relief when we get up and realize our smoking was not real!!!
  You getting angry probably is the same as me having cried my heart out the first several weeks. Frustrated we could not continue to give ourselves the high we used to, maybe...We learn ways to live without it. But this too shall pass.
  You say you re-direct your thoughts, whatever it takes. I was physically changing places in the house, walking away from the spot where I was when the crave hit.
  We all react differently, and have different ways to deal with the craves. Whatever helps you to keep you away from the cigarettes is good!
  You are completing the most difficult week, congratulations!
  Have you read https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-in-the-first-four-months ?
  1 person found this helpful
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maryfreecig Jan 20, 2018 4:48 PM
Way to go. Congratulations on one full week. Thanks for sharing your journey.
1 person found this helpful
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Jan 20, 2018 7:24 PM
You are doing great but you really should destroy those cigarettes if you haven't already and a super duper Congratulations on your splendiferous 7 stupendous days of Smokefree living and counting WTG.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
B-La Jan 20, 2018 8:15 PM
I re-read my post and can see where I didn't fully explain that buying the smokes and lighter as well as getting angry was all part of the dream. I haven't got really upset or angry for a long time, a tad edgy at times or a little anxious, maybe. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but if it does, after that dream, I will be sure not to indulge those harsh feelings. I'm actually amazed at how calm I've been this week. I suppose the patches and the Zyban have a lot to do with that.

Thanks for all your encouragement!
Like • Show 3 Likes3
Actions
- Youngatheart.7.4.12 @ B-La on Jan 20, 2018 9:53 PM
  Whew! SO glad it was a dream!!!!!
  And - FYI - unlike what we believed, most folks report feeling less stressed and less angry after they quit. I have found that I am more patient. Who gnu?
  Nancy
  Like • Show 3 Likes3
  Actions
elvan Jan 21, 2018 12:24 AM
I am SO GLAD to hear that you didn't really buy cigarettes. Congratulations on one week
1 person found this helpful
Like • Show 2 Likes2
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1 Whole Week, Smoke-Free

Outcomes

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