Day 5 is usually the day I "prove" to myself I can quit. And then I blow it. Very irritable today. Though it is nice not to stink and I am breathing better. Trying to stay positive!
Congratulations on Day 5. Don't blow it. Looking back at my journal when I first quit. I had an early entry where I was having a bad day. After writing that I did a little searching and realized that I was having trouble because I was vascilating about whether or not that I wanted to quit. Not a good question to ask yourself in the early days or ever really. You already made the decision to quit smoking. You can do this. I can tell you it is more wonderful than I ever dreamed it would be.
Congratulations on Day 5 of your Freedom…Don’t give into the urges/craves/triggers, etc., do something else…be determined to make Day 5, another day won. Keep positive and keep here and let us talk you out of smoking. You don’t need one and you certainly don’t need to go out and by any smokes…sending positive vibes your way…and a list of things to do…
No surprises here! The first two weeks of a quit suck; they just do. You get through them just as you got through five days - one day, an hour sometimes, at a time. FIVE days proves you can do this! NOW - just take each day forward as it comes. Past quits do not inform THIS one!
The important thing you can do right now is to educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind. To that end, I highly recommend Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” You can search for it online or at your local library. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be
The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from when you smoked. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first smoke with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! . Take a different route to work. Take a quick walk at break time where the smokers AREN'T.
You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You might visit “Games”: The active ones are at the top of the list going down the left side of the page. We have a weekly Trivia Contest you might like to try, too, that is listed there.
The conversation in your head in response to the "I want a cigarette" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.
Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!
Yes there will be hard days. Quitting is not easy but doable with the determination not to smoke NMW. No matter what. I would say that to myself. Get pass it and be stronger the next time I had to say 'no matter what, I will not smoke." Good job. You can do it. Practice this Breathing Exercise it works.
Positive attitudes work for some, but when my temperament gets ugly I like to rely on putting one foot in front of the other. I can't always manage my mood, but I can manage my actions. I don't care if I gripe the whole time, so long as I move forward. It's ok to be mad about quitting. It's kinda normal.
I am at a loss for words with gratitude so many of you ladies Barbera, sweetplt, YoungAtHeart, Jackie, Barbscloud, and maryfreecig, took time out of your busy lives to give such wonderful support to a complete stranger. I am glad I found this site. Thanks for getting me through a cranky day. Thanks to you all I will wake up tomorrow to my first week smoke free!
Day three was mine for years . I could never get past it , felt exactly as you describe .
I suggest you get past this one using every coping skill you can .
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised on the other side . Sleep helps so turn in early and tomorrow you will never have to deal with another day five again .
You are doing great , push this day five out of your way . It's blocking the road .
