Day 1

[ruta01]

Today is day one.  I am pulling my hair out.  The second quit is harder than the first one, I do not understand why.  I want a cigarette, but I do not want to fail.  I went and cleaned out my refrigerator and then I cleaned the rest of my kitchen.  I do not know why I am thinking so much about smoking.  I cannot smoke.  I keep telling myself that I am now a non-smoker.  I have no cigarettes or ashtrays at home; I threw those away.  Last time around, I do not remember it being so hard.  I remember how good I felt, I remember being able to walk up the stairs without gasping for breath.  I remember how good the food tasted for those six months.  Why do I want a cigarette so bad?  Ruta

[Newfound_Joy]

The answer is pure and simple:  You are an addict.  I cannot count the number of DAY ONES I have done, and I finally made my mind up that I will never do DAY ONE again!

Keep busy, distract yourself, visit jonescarp aka dale's page for an amazing amount of information.  KNOWLEDGE IS POWER if you want to be a QUITTER.  Think of it this way:  all you really have to do is NOT SMOKE FOR TODAY.  That's all - just for today.

My mantra was "I choose to be a HAPPY non-smoker just for today".  I have put together over 900 ODATS.  (One day at a time).  It is not easy but it is doable, and with each passing day it will become easier.  You will get so much support here and you will feel so proud of yourself.

STAY WITH US!  YOU CAN DO THIS!!

[ruta01]

One day at a time sounds like alcoholics anonymous.  Since it is an addiction, that I think is harder to give up than alcohol, I can go with that.  I will think of today only, I like this idea.  I had visited Dale’s page and will do so again.  Although I have not posted while getting ready to quit, I expect to spend some time on this site for a while.  Thanks for your comments and support.  Ruta

[Deena-A-Yenni]

I have quit many times too.  They were harder in the end.  You put holes in your armor and get weak.  Drink a glass of water.  Read Jonescarp's page again and again until the craves go away.  I have.  I like the idea of just getting through today.  You can do it.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

click on hoggie my cat and give a read. ti will help you understand.

[Brenda_M]

I'm watching an episode of Kotter that I DVRed, so I'll just say to you what the theme song said to me just seconds ago, "Welcome back, welcome back, welcome ba-a-ack." 😃

[sadiewilliams]

Make it through today and Keep going!!  You are right the second time is harder than the first time.  But it took me lots of attempts and this last time I made up my mind that I was going to beat this!!!  Very important thing to remember is failure only comes to those who quit trying and give up!!  Don't be hard on yourself.  go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air!!  I will keep you in my prayers!!

[GreenThumb3]

First few days I ate non stop to get through it chewd gum it was hard but 7 months later I don't even miss it just stay strong it takes time but is so worth it 

[Giulia]

Does it matter that it harder?  You don't need to understand why it's harder.  You just need to get through it.  You want a cigarette simply because you're addicted to them.  No other reason.  You either accept the journey or fight the journey the entire time.  It's easier if you can accept it.  You break your leg, you accept you're gonna have to be in a cast for X number of weeks.  Think of quitting that way.  Accept that you're going to be uncomfortable for a while.  That's just what's so.  And dwell on all those good remembrances - breathing better, tasting food better, sense of smell better, more money in your pocket, self pride, setting a great example..... the list goes on and on.  Practice all those techniques you did last time in the beginning and add more onto them.  DO IT!

[elvan]

It is an addiction and treating it as one will help you get through one day at a time. I can't say why this first day is harder...I quit many times and some were much easier than others.  This time, I prepared...but then I quit before my "quit date" because I got sick so the decision was really taken out of my hands.

I think you will find it easier if you stick to a day at a time, an hour at a time, there will be good days and bad days...just like when you smoked.  You just need to keep telling yourself, "I don't do that any more."

Welcome to EX.

[ruta01]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement.  I am surviving my first day.  Just thinking of today only makes it somewhat easier.   Yeah,  I forgot the feeling of having a couple of extra dollars in my pocket instead of having to dig for change to buy a pack.  Never again!  Ruta

[moody_9-18-13]

Welcome, Ruta. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with WHY we smoke and WHY you want to quit. The benefits to quitting are not just money and health, it's about the time we waste doing it, thinking about it, making sure we have smokes onhand. 

A couple of sites that helped me understand nicotine addiction and how to quit and feel good about quitting.....

http://quitsmokingonline.com/

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html

[lois2]

your doing great, hang on to your quit, time will get us threw.

[Pops]

try not to think about the smoke that you are not having quite so much...that in itself will grow to a painful experience.  Instead, try to think of what you are giving yourself, as opposed to what you are doing without.  Things like the ability to take in a deeeeeep breath without hacking & coughing and spitting out phlem from your lungs...think of how nice your house will smell without the stench of tobacco lingering in the pores of the walls & inside of your furniture...think of the $ that you will be accumulating and what you are going to but yourself as a reward for doing something good for you.  Think about all of the cheering and support you are going to recieve from all of us here on this site. (We are your biggest cheering section in your life @ this moment).  Thinking about the smoke is just fanning the flame of addiction.  At first it will seem like it is unbearable, but they are withdrawls and they get shorter and less frequent as time goes by.  You can do it.

(((((HUGS)))))

Pops  61 days of freedom 🙂

[ruta01]

Thank you all.  I made it through my first day.  I am going to bed, hopefully won't dream of cigarettes.  Tomorrow is another day, maybe it will be easier.  I know nothing good comes easy and it is worth the fight.  I don't know why I was so stupid to start or even why I ruined a six month quit.  I am going to make it this time.  I know I will.  God bless all of you on this site.  

Ruta

[summer-07-06-15]

It seems to me that every first day is always different when you have to restart all over again. I keep telling my Never Ever Forget that first day when the thought of smoking gets in my  head. You also may want to write for 5 minutes without stopping why you want to smoke?  you can go to www.quitsmokingonline.com lesson 5

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[summer-07-06-15]