Hard day

[Jules7]

I am having a day where I feel like my job is not worth doing if I am not a smoker. It's so highly annoying to the point of wanting to quit a job I need very badly.  I must have walked away a bunch of times to smoke and got some distance from the stress before. I just feel like there is a possibility that I will smoke if I have to do this anymore. Suggestions?

[Linda239]

I can relate to you.  I guess what saved me for quite sometime was the nicotine gum and then the nicotine lozenges.  They helped me deal with the stress.  Before I always went for a cigarette to calm down.  Any way you look at it it's hard.  I am smoke free for 4 months now and am fighting my own demons.

[franscott22]

Hey Jules....take a brisk walk around your building if you can.  Breath deeply, munch on ice.  You job is worth it and so is your quit.  Protect  both of them.  I know it's hard......but You can do it!!

[Jules7]

Linda - I have used the gum in past quits. This time I was really sick when I quit so was nicotine free for 7 days before I was well enough to crave. So it seems like a bad idea to add nicotine at this point.  Wonder how long it will be hard? 

[SarahP]

Hi Jules. Can you explain a little more, why smoking is linked to your job? I'm trying to understand why your job is "not worth doing" without smoking. Do you mean because of stress? Or do coworkers smoke around you? Or something else? I want to give you a good response but I need to understand better first. 

[Jules7]

I manage a repair center in a warehouse. The staff stands outside the bay doors and smokes. The smoke drifts into my office. This never bothered me before because I was a smoker. Any time the stress level went up I smoked. In true addict fashion the slightest stress would lead me to a cigarette. So now, when the stress goes sky high, I feel like I'm going to blow and I don't feel like I have good tools to dial it back and let go. 

[SarahP]

Got it. You're in a tough spot right now, no doubt about it. But you can get through it. 

Remember this -- they don't "get" to smoke, they "have" to smoke, because they are still addicted while you have put yourself on the path to freedom!  Like most smokers, they would probably quit if they thought they could, but they're too fearful. YOU had the courage to take this plunge, and in a little while when this difficult phase is behind you, every one of them will be envious. Feel sorry for them. 

Develop some new coping tools, some new ways to take mental breaks and refresh yourself. Go for a short walk, stand at your desk and do some deep stretches and deep breathing. Come here and blog, or make the rounds leaving messages for people. Spend 10 minutes searching the internet for funny pictures, or "best one liners" or "babies laughing" videos on You Tube. It's amazing what a good laugh can to do instantly dispel stress and cravings. 

You can do this Jules!  We're here for you! 

[Jordan-11-1-12]

Don't let the addiction fool you. Smoking will not help with the stress at all. All it will do is guarentee that you'll go through withdrawals. The addiction lies to us and tries to convince us that we need to smoke to calm down when, really, it will only cause more stress. It really sounds like your "wanting" a smoke is completely emotional/mental right now, and the only way to retrain yourself away from smoking, is repetition. You need to find other ways to deal with the stress of work.... time after time. Like sara said, new coping skills.

When you smoked, you made the time to walk away from work for that cig break. Take the breaks without smoking. Bring a travel toothbrush and paste to work and, when you would normally go to smoke, go to the bathroom and brush your teeth. Or just walk somewhere... figure out something to do for 8 minutes or so, to get that distance from the stress. You deserve the break without poisoning yourself to get it. 

I guess I'm just repeating advice already given to you so I'll stop. Just remember that you do not have to fall for the addictive lies. You deserve to be free of nicotine, and we've all needed to learn how to deal with stress differently now that we don't smoke.   Kudos to you for blogging about this!!  Don't give up!

~Jordan~

11/1/12

[joyeuxencore]

Jules my heart goes out to you! You came here and asked for help which shows a high level of commitment...If you haven't smoked for a length of time then the 'craves' are more psychological than physical…more like ‘go to’ smoking thoughts…I am not saying that makes it easier just that you and your determination have the upper hand at this point! Sarah has the right idea…We must develop new coping skills as life will continue to present itself whether we smoke or not…how we deal with it all is what counts…We GET to re-learn how to do every facet of our lives without cigarettes…the stresses and the celebrations and everything in between…hang in there…

You are worth so much more than a cigarette! xo

[Jules7]

Thanks everyone! All good advice. Without the addiction driving me I tend to stay at my desk for hours on end without any kind of break. It's exhausting. I will take all the tips you all have to give. Just blogging about it and checking back for your answers has been a huge help. About to leave work for the day and I did it without smoking! Thanks!!!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

Smoking doesn't help stress - it creates stress! Sounds like you're still buying into some Nico-Lies! And as Sarah said They don't get to smoke they have to smoke! When you give up your quit for that one sickerette your job will still be stressful and you will have the knowledge that you quit your quit! Make no mistake i sickerette = 1000+ there's no such thing as "just one!" Are you drinking plenty of water? You'd be surprised what dehydration can do to a person! In your job, drinking lots of water is important to keep you thinking clearly! I agree that NRTs at this point is counterproductive.

[lindan_7-14-10]

...hang in there Jules, you know the drill. The demon is trying to win you over ... stay strong, we are here♥

[Danno_11-10-12]

Hang tight in there Jules.  It gets better.  A cigarette will only crush your spirit and make you feel terrible about yourself.  Dont' give in to the Nicodemon. 

[freeneasy]

I have been back at work now after being out for surgery. I admire you for quitting while still dealing with the job stress. I had the luxury of quitting while I was away from my normal routine. But now that I am back after being out since December and not smoking since January I feel liberated from my old routine when I had to smoke. I think you will feel that way too.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

don't put nicotine back in your body.

you are at 37 days.

put some vicks under your nose and remember you are a quitter or consider how hard it still is to get a job.

[Nyima_1.6.13]

Walk it off Jules! You need to take those smoke free breaks! Be proud of those 37 days. You do not want to go back to being a slave to nicotine! Remember those people are out there rain, snow, sleet or hail because they have to be. They are still addictedto a toxic substance that is now out of your system. Hang tough!!

[Stac2]

Walk.  Chew gum.  Put lavender in your office or some other scent you like on your upper lip no I am not kidding.  You can buy lavender oil online.  Get a small bottle and put a tiny drop under your nose.  Walk again.

Cigs will not help the stress.  They can't.  They are a stimulant.  They only ramp you up.

I know NML is hard as hell.  I am at day 40.  Let's hold each other's hands and do this ok?  One day at a time.

Think of how it will feel when we write each other at day 100.  And, think of how you will feel about you if you smoke.  It is not worth it.  And ditto to all comments above.  All from wise folks who care about you, deeply.

I promise cigs don't help anything.  They can't.  We wanted them to.  But the truth, they didn't.  All they did was make us addicted and shorten our lives, and make us super unhealthy.  That's all.

I've been blogging like a crazy woman since entering NML so if you want, feel free to visit my page and read some of the great advice I got too, whatever helps you.

This is WIT ("Whatever It Takes") time. 

Stick with this.  You have put in alot and come so far, and if you go just a bit further with me, one day at a time, we will get to freedom.  Pure restoration.  A new life. 

Hugs, Stacie

[gayvenda]

It is a miracle that you have been smoke free for over a month in a stressful job! Do you have a God of your understanding?  I have relied heavily on Him during these first 4 days. When I get a smoking thought, I don't dwell on it.  I let it go and focus on something positive.  Make a gratitude list.  Call a supportive friend.  Do a blog on EX. I think it is really great that you reached out to EX yesterday with your blog!  I suppressed all my feelings with cigarettes.  It was my coping mechanism for 45 years. I'm grateful to be free today!  Blessings....