DAY SIX

[BigSillyGirl]

Today is my sixth day without a cigarette.  

I don't want to smoke.

My issues are really rearing their ugly heads.  Perhaps smoking provided a "smoke screen" so I wouldn't notice the other issues as much.  I don't know.  I don't know how much more of this I can take without checking out.

I hope that someone will take care of my pets.  

[YoungAtHeart]

Six days is AWESOME! You are almost finished H#ll Week!

We hid from all kinds of emotions/situations by smoking.  But - dealing with them is healthy.  Try not to feel too overwhelmed.  Can you deal with one issue at a time?  It might be less difficult that way. 

Checking out is not an option.  Can you ask for help?  Do you have family who you might talk with - or there are help lines if you don't.   I know there are people who love you.  Don't leave them.

Nancy

[missdiane]

Congrats! As I quote someone from this site "N.O.P.E." is the word. Hang in there. 

[exldysmoker]

I know that feeling of wanting to check out, I have felt it throughout my life. I have come to understand that when I feel this way it is because I feel overwhelmed and helpless. For me it is a triggered response from childhood. I have PTSD and I can forget about such triggers. For me, giving myself permission to feel this way tends to help, writing down how I feel usually helps me see where the feeling is coming from, and prayer helps alot. One thing I have learned to do is to talk to myself as I would a good friend, I ask myself, what would I say and do for someone else who told me they were feeling like I feel?

I congratulate you on your willingness to reach out, that takes guts and a real desire to carry on. I hope some of this helps, you are definitely not alone!

[maryfreecig]

Yah, I felt pretty desperate too at first. Hang on, climb up and out and away from your smoking. Put quitting first, other issues for later. The human mind can only deal with so much at a time. And it is not fair to put your whole self on trial at such a tenuous time. Try to narrow it down to leaving the cigarettes behind...the rest must wait.

Below is a youtube video by Iscahstar who 'filmed'  parts of her quitting experience over her first seven days. It's really a diary of sorts though the title says "how to." Bottom line, this video documents how gawd awful it is  at the start (true for many, many, many of us), and it may serve as a comfort to know that you are not alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_z0JAmctBM&index=15&list=WL

One last thought--a while ago, at a time when I was stumbling around for inspiration...anything... to endure my own goodbye to cigarettes, I stumbled into some old time wisdom offered up by youtuber in his production "Specter." The sage advise goes like this, 'We do not always have the luxury of being  prepared to deal what life throws our way. How we face these challenges, is how we grow.'

Hang in there.

[Rick_M]

Hey look at  you almost a whole week no smoke. WTG Bet  you just feel great. Just take it one day at a time. We don't  smoke no mo........ 

[plug66]

a great big yes on the smoke screen....i've been smoke free almost 98 days and my issues are still showing up, but i keep pushing forward, knowing that smoking won't help anything.....and checking out won't help anything either.....please stay and finish the challenge

[BigSillyGirl]

I took my dogs to the dog park and enjoyed seeing a beautiful sunset.

I was crying my eyes out while writing my last post.  My life seems so empty.  It's not just quitting smoking; there is a lot of emptiness in my life.  That is not what this forum is for.

Thank you for suggesting I watch the YouTube video, MaryFreeCig.  It was right on point of how I have been feeling the past few days.  I was disappointed to see that the woman who was in the video had gone back to smoking.  I'm sure that she is disappointed in herself, too.

Thank you all for taking the time to say something encouraging.  

[Strudel]

You are so right about the fact that we hid behind the smoke. Something bothered us - we escaped into a fog of smoke... Now, we must find new ways to deal with life. It is a journey - look at you walking through the dog park and watching the sun set - perfect! 

Congarts on almost a week! Keep blogging!

[Daniela2016]

If it were just for moments like the one you describe at the park, and that is reason enough to stick with your quit.  Every day you are adding more freedom to your life.

There will be ups and downs, we all had them, but every day without smoking is one more healing day: physically, mentally, psychologically. 

In several months you will have forgotten the feelings you experience today, and start enjoying your freedom.  Give it time, you'll get it back and much more!

Enjoy the love of your pets, I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and they make our life so much more than I ever thought!

Congrats on completing day 6!!!

[Daniela2016]

And I had to add this also

[crazymama_Lori]

there all lots of ups and downs when quitting for the next 4 months or so.  If you notice that the blues stick around for a longer period of time, you may want to talk to your doctor about some help with that through this period.  I get very concerned when I read "I hope someone will take care of my pets."  It's one thing to get frustrated and fed up with sticking with it for the first 30 days, but having thoughts of suicide is a whole other story.  Perhaps I read that wrong, but it bothered me for most of the day yesterday.  Is there a senior center around you that you can join?  Perhaps volunteer at a local nursing home or hospital?  I think you just need to get yourself out there a little bit more.  I hope today finds you in better spirits.  Stick with it, it is all worth it in the end

[plug66]

trust me, an empty feeling is an awful feeling, i thought i read that you were doing yoga, i want to join a yoga group, but know nothing about it.....i would appreciate some info on it...i also reached out to a gym...i am retired and find life boring, especially since any friends i do have are still working, but i just push forward, because i have lost 3 very close friends to early deaths.....and i do not want that...glad you enjoyed the beautiful sunset