I feel powerful.......10 days of not smoking

[Nhandi]

What a powerful feeling, after quitting and going back and then doing it all over again.  I've been here before I quit for 107 days, a little over 3 months and I thought I could just have one cigarette.  That was October 16, 2011.  

Here I was 5 years later still smoking and quitting, hiding in public, trying to hide the smell, counting and making sure I had one for in the morning.  I think I got tired of it all, my last cigarette was on October 31st 2016,  When I woke up on November 1st I decided to be in control.  Everyday I still think of them, I puff on a straw and I do breathing exercises.   I'm learning how to blog now.  Lol.

  I can't believe that I'm reading thoughts from people that think like me and were feeling like I was feeling.  Cigarettes really had power in my life, not anymore!  

I feel powerful, and determined !  I read So many inspiring stories! I'm not very good at this, so I could use a few friends to follow so feel free to add me or tell me how I can follow you.    

Feeling strong!

[Dotgirl_1-28-16]

You're sounding strong! WTG congrats on your awesome 10 days of freedom

[RachelMB]

Welcome Nhandi and congrats on 10 days!  you are definitely in the right place for support.  The elders will be along to give you some links on information to read.  Educating yourself about nicotine addiction is so important early on.  I am a newbie with 22 days smoke free and this site has made all the difference.  The people here very much care how you are doing and I call them my Ex-family. 🙂  Congrats on your amazing choice to quit!  Stay close and let us know how we can help. 🙂

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I'm sorry you stayed away so long.

You were nearly through the worst at 107 days. 3 more weeks could have made a difference in your acceptance of your quit..

https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/what-to-expect-...

[Silverstar]

Hi, Nhandi, and welcome (back).  I am very happy for your 10 days of freedom, and for how empowered you are feeling!  It has been 34 days for me, and I am so grateful to be here, the support is amazing.  I think in a few weeks, we will be in No Man's Land together, will be glad to have the company.  You can do this, Don't Quit on your (forever) Quit!

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

You sound GREAT - keep it up!!!  You can do this!


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. Here is a link to a free PDF version of it:

http://media.wix.com/ugd/74fa87_2010cc5496521431188f905b7234a829.pdf
 

The idea is to change up your routines so the smoking associations are reduced.  Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand. 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.

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.  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.  Don't let that smoking thought rattle around your head alone.  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






 

[Posamari]

Welcome! We're about the same quit days. I'm at 2 weeks. I support you!

-Posamari

[c2q]

Howdy, friend! At 10 days into this quit, it is looking like the one that will stick as far as I can see. You are already an inspiration to others who want to quit, reading the blogs here. I hope you keep posting! Great to have you.

[constanceclum]

Welcome and you are way more powerful than your addiction!

Connie

[Nhandi]

Thanks everyone for all the encouraging words.  I got a bunch of new friends that don't smoke and they understand me and what I'm going through.  12 days and still going strong.