Getting ready to quit.

[Mell71]

Hi, I am 51, been smoking cigarettes, only, from 17 years old. I quit for a total of 9 years in between while I was pregnant (4) and breastfeeding (18 months each). In 2012 I quit and started up in 2015. I am generally healthy and would like to keep it that way for my years ahead. I got a prescription for Wellbutrin to assist me. I have to start it and on day 14 put down my cigarettes. I am nervous. I have not started the Wellbutrin yet. I find myself using social events to postpone the Wellbutrin. I can't drink alcohol at the parties if I am on Wellbutrin so I inevitably postpone starting it until after the social event! The next social event I have is a weekend away (memorial service) in Washington that ends on Sunday, July 25th. I want to start taking the Wellbutrin on July 26th. That puts my quit date out to August 9th! No social functions scheduled in August. Maybe I should block out my August calendar to prevent myself from accepting a social event and thus putting out my start and quit date even further! 

Why am I nervous to quit? It feels like the older I have gotten, the harder it is for me to take the leap and quit. I really do want to; I feel more energetic when I do not smoke. I work out more, I get out more... I feel like I am owned by my cigarettes, taking them with me wherever I go. Dreading conferences, meetings, family and social gatherings; will there be other smokers there, will they give smoke breaks, I need to carry mouth fresheners, so I don't smell like cigarettes even though I know it does not work. I am so sick of all of that. When I go to a motel while travelling, having to go onto the street to smoke is awful. Eating at a restaurant and leaving to go smoke outside, it is horrible, but I love that cigarette! 

I was thinking that maybe booking into a pretty Air B&B somewhere out in nature where I can swim, go on walks, meditate etc. might be a good idea for the first 3 days. Are the first 3 days really the worst? Ugh... why can't I just believe myself that I have done this before, and I can do it again?! It is ridiculous the amount of control cigarettes have over me, I am literally obsessing about it!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome!

Cigarettes have control over you because you are addicted to nicotine!  It is natural to fear the unknown, and as smokers, we hid from life's difficulties behind a cloud of smoke.  It's daunting to think about facing life without that!  BUT - you can and will.

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 purchase a digital version online or borrow it at your local library.  Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction: Nicotine and Your Brain

I quit almost ten years ago on my first and only attempt at it, and I base my overall recommendations on my experience and that of others over the years. if you decide to use a quit aid, I recommend those that don't let the addict control the dose such as Rx drugs and the patch. Each cigarette you smoked contained about 1 mg of nicotine. If you use more than one form of NRT, be sure you aren't getting more than when you smoked.

It will be informative if you do the tracking and separation exercises recommended here on the site. As you track each cigarette smoked, note its importance, and what you might do instead. Put each one off just a little to prove that you don't NEED a cigarette just because you think you do.

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.

Here is a link to a list of things to do instead of smoke if you need some fresh ideas:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

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.

You might want to join other site members by taking the daily pledge when you quit. IT helps to hold yourself accountable and also accountable to others here. Find it at Home (top left), then first blue box.

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

[MangoTree61]

Mell71, I hear you- I quit for 8 years myself, and god knows why I’ve taken it up again. I’m still 12 days out from my quit date, but have tried a few times in the last few months. I smoked for SO LONG before , but trying to get pregnant, excitement for what life had to offer made it easier to quit then. I have stockpiled nicotine gum, and am trying to meditate upon what wonderful things life has in store for me , which will help me to want to be as healthy as I can ( I hope.) If you are talking Washington state, then know I’m right next door in Idaho struggling through the same, and hope to see you win, as I KNOW how much better  we’ll feel smoke free- for me all that extra energy to make my exercise more enjoyable and efficient! And to show my kiddo that that you can do anything you set your mind to! Good luck ~ you deserve to live your best life. I need to repeat this to myself! 

[maryfreecig]

I am 63 now. I quit smoking when I was 54. Started smoking at 17. I quit successfully at 25 for about 2.5 years. So this time around when I quit I was no longer young. No longer sure of myself. But for that lack of confidence I did have an abundance of life experiences which served as a guide as I became smober. I was scared that I'd fail myself just as I had in my twenties. I wanted to quit for good and never make another excuse for my smoking. Even though smoking is an addiction to nicotine, it is scary to take full responsibilitie for changing that. 

Now while you have time to plan, keep strengthening your commitment. For a while planning and quitting have to come first. All of the routines rituals and associations have to be broken. The best way to do this is one day at a time.

It is often said here at ex that quitting is not an event, it's a journey.

Congratulations on your decision to quit. Thanks for sharing and welcome to ex.

[Barbscloud]

@Mell71 Welcome to the Ex and congrats on your decision to quit.  Don't worry about being too old to take the leap.  It took me 50 years to quit at the age of 68.  It's never to late to day something for your health.  I also used Welbutrin along with nicotrol inhalers.  

Use this time to education yourself about nicotine addiction and create a quit plan.  Many have found success with knowledge and preparation.  I took me numerous attempts over those 50 years to finally get it. I went into my quits blindly and was never successful.  In addiction to some aids, I found the Ex a week prior to my quit.  For the first time I learned how to quit and had the support that was always lacking.

This link is a great place to start.

https://www.becomeanex.org/guides/?cid=footer_community_linktobex

You may need to avoid some people, places and thing temporarily.  But it will be worth in the long run  The fear of quitting is normal.  We've smoked through every activity and emotion in our lives.  Approaching your quit one day at a time helps to alleviate the fear.

Make the commitment and you can do this too.  We're here to support you on your journey.  So reach out anytime you need help, want to share your experience or to support fellow quitters. We're all in this together.

Start your day by taking the Daily Pledge.  It's a great way to stay on track on day at a time.

Pick a date and get started on that Welbutrin.  You wont' regret it.

  Stay busy and stay close

Barb

[sweetplt]

Welcome to Ex’s @Mell71 

Glad you found our site.  Us addicts can always find a reason not to quit…there is no right time.  Therefore, you might as well, “go for it”… You can do this, it takes hard work and time.  In the early days quit, sometimes we have to avoid many people, places, and events until we feel stronger in our quit.  I get you with the social events.  Once you feel more comfortable in your quit skin, you can go back to everything, but it takes time.  

Be sure to become knowledgable in quitting and addiction, it will help with your feelings, triggers, withdrawal etc., Keep close to the support site, we are here for you.

Start planning for that quit date in August like no other….

Wishing you a Happy Friday ~ Colleen 1320 DOF 

[tburton1004]

@Mell71 , I imagine most of us were nervous and hesitant to set our quit dates and then take the plunge. It IS the fear of the unknown, and our addict’s voice wanting us to think that the FEAR is insurmountable. Like it’s a rabid grizzly bear chasing us.

It IS hard, at first, but think of all the hard things you’ve gotten through in your life! You can, and will, get through this. Our human brains are wired to worry and look out for the negative, so we have to make a conscious effort to counteract those worries with positive messages — kick that word “failure” right to the curb. None of us are failures. We’re just human.

I’m cheering you on. Use the deep breathing exercise to help with the anxiety. Focus on the positive and believe in your own strength. Because you are strong! You can do this!

Keep coming back; the support you’ll get here will make a huge difference in your journey. You’re not alone, and we’re all pulling for you!

Best, Terry 59 DOF

[Ashley1985]

You can do it!! Fear holds us back.  I enjoyed smoking but I quit for my health.  You're almost there.  Let go and fly.

[Mell71]

I quit. I'm still very early days. 4 days. I woke up with covid this morning. 

I think the worst for me are those electric like impulses that just permeate through my body. Still. 🥺🤧

Thank you all for your words of encouragement, I'm in this for the long haul, with you all. One day at a time, one electric impulse at a time.

@tburton1004 

@sweetplt 

@Barbscloud 

@Ashley1985 

@maryfreecig 

@MangoTree61 

@YoungAtHeart 

[Ashley1985]

Mell71.  Don't get discouraged.  Sometimes we have to go minute by minute.  I'm proud of you!! It will get easier so stand straight.  You got this!  Praying for you!

[MangoTree61]

Mell71- I’m on the other side of Covid- got it during my first week of no cigarettes as well!!!   Never having had it before, I was afraid, and that fear made me crave the comfort of a cigarette…… I ended up just sucking on cough drops the whole time, which soothed my sore throat, but didn’t do much for my irritability! Nicotine gum was almost too much for my system that week. I made it through Covid though,  ( it left me w a sinus infection 🙄), and am back to chewin a little gum and going for jogs to ease my mind. I’m 2.5 weeks smoke free, and am so glad I decided to quit when I did to spare my poor lungs through Covid. You CAN do this- remember to celebrate yourself every single day, because it’s a huge accomplishment!!!!! Not everyone around us may recognize that, but we know how tough this is~ there are brighter days on the horizon!!! 

[red11912]

Monday is 2 days away and that is my quit day. Wish me luck please, I have tried to quit so many times with no luck.

[Barbscloud]

@Mell71 Glad you're still with us.  Sorry to hear about the COVID.  

Congrats on 4 days.  We're here for you.

Barb

[sweetplt]

@Mell71 So sorry you got COVID … please get lots of rest and feel better soon…~ Gotcha in my Thoughts Colleen

[maryfreecig]

Hope you are feeling better.  Congratulations on your four days and counting. One day at a time you can do this. 🙂

[Mell71]

@red11912 You're in my thoughts and I said a little prayer for you tonight! You got this!