Early stages

[SaraCorinne]

Closing in on day 2.  I keep reaching for my pack of cigarettes that aren't there.  I felt like I was forgetting something all day at work.  Just now, typing this, I thought, I'll have a cigarette.  I can't wait till they aren't the 1st thing I think about when I get up in the morning or get in the car.  I also, unconsciously, find myself clenching my teeth.  So much so that my jaw aches.  I'm sure it's the stress of going through these darned cravings.  I think, this time, it's more about the habit than craving an actual cigarette because I don't even enjoy smoking anymore.  I'm sick of coughing and wheezing so loud I wake myself up at night!  I'm off work the next 2 days and I'm going to get some sort of craft going.  I used to crochet and needlepoint or maybe I'll dust off the macrame beads and bring that art back!  I'll take all the prayers/good vibes you have.  Keep my husband in them too, everything he says or does seems to makes me feel like killing him!  (not really but really).  Goodnight all. 

[Tawny]

First of all, two things...

1)  I say bring back the macramé!!!!

2)  I, too, thought about different and unique ways I might kill my husband if he dared to take another breath of MY air!

Sounds like you've got a plan in place to keep yourself busy and that's great.  I am a teeth clincher as well.  Sometimes I feel a craving as kind of a "tightening" in the back of my jaw.  When that happens I try to do facial stretching exercises (open wide...make different faces...stretch my mouth into a big "O"...) until I feel my jaw relax.

I'm only 45 days quit, but I can tell you I've already had some awesome days where it just dawns on me "Hey, you haven't thought about smoking today".  That is an incredible feeling.  So, that's what non-smokers feel like!

I'm rooting for you! 

[Mandolinrain]

Goodnight and sweet dreams. Just remember , everyday day brings you closer to the freedom you so desire. By taking just one puff...your back at day one and have to go through this all over again.

i will be praying for you. We are here. Welcome to Ex!

[YoungAtHeart]

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking and what is now, I think, closing in on THREE successful days!

I'm sorry I missed sending you my usual welcome with lots of good things to read.  I will remedy that now!  Try to pay attention to the teeth  clenching - and do as Missy recommends to keep your jaw from being painful.

Here is a letter we recommend for family members who may not understand what is involved and what we need from them  when we quit:  /blogs/SkyGirl-blog/2013/05/28/a-letter-to-those-i-love-during-the-early-days-of-my-forever-quit 

The most 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.” This is an easy and entertaining read. You can search for it online or at your local library. Here's a link to a video here on the site which describes nicotine addiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpWMgPHn0Lo&feature=youtu.be.
 
 You should also read the posts here and perhaps go to the pages of folks who you think might be helpful. You might visit whyquit.com, quitsmokingonline.com and livewell.com for the good information contained there. @https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex has lots of blogs written by members of this site with their experiences and guidance.
 
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! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to smoke so the view is different. Buy your gas at a different station. 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), put your head in the freezer and take a deep breath of cold air, 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 from which to sip. Don't let that smoking thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. Sometimes you need to quit a minute or an hour at a time.  You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits.    Get busy!  Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:
 
https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/Youngatheart.7.4.12-blog/2013/02/25/100-things-to-do-instea...
 
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!

Nancy

[MarilynH]

Sleep well and get lots of Zzzzzzzzzzzzz's, keep your mind as well as your hands occupied and stay close because we're all here to help you in any way we can.......

[Barbara145]

Congratulations on quitting smoking.  You Are doing this!  Keeping you in my prayers.  Take care.

[SaraCorinne]

Thank you ALL so much for your encouragement!  YoungAtHeart‌, thanks for all the info, Nancy.  That ought to keep me busy!  I used EX to help me quit 10yrs ago and forgot how wonderful all the support is!  

[JonesCarpeDiem]

RE: Husband

wear gloves....no fingerprints. 

[SaraCorinne]

VERY helpful idea!  Thanks Dale!

[SoosannahK]

I am all for bringing back macrame!! My gran used to make these frog and owl bathroom towel holders from macrame. They held a bar of soap in the mouth, a hand towel in the body, then a bigger towel on the bottom circle. I see that thing as clear as day  

If you enjoy crochet may I suggest Little Hats Big Hearts? I always wanted to do this but never did because I didn't want the donated hats to smell like smoke.  A good way to keep the hands busy while contributing to a worthwhile cause. Who knows, I may start churning some out myself. Baby hats are super easy and fast. 

Congrats on day 2 and keep up the great work!

[SaraCorinne]

I will check that out!  Sounds like a wonderful idea!  Thanks!