My QUIT day.

[Sjackson9]

The cravings are BAD. I want to smoke so bad that I physically hurt. Idk what that is about. I am literally going minute by minute.  I am telling myself, "I haven't smoked all day i can wait 1 more minute". Am I INSANE? Because I certainly feel like I'm insane. I am IN DESPERATE NEED OF some advice. Everything that is recommended to curve your cravings makes me want one just that much more.

H E L P !

[Giulia]

What are doing right now?  Are you sitting there just dwelling on the cravings?  Get yourself up and outside if you can.  Do you have a cell phone?  Take some pictures.  Or put on some music and dance your cravings away.  Punch a pillow. You are not going to die because you're craving.  You CAN get through this day.  Clean house.  Doing something physical is really important.  Puzzles and games and stuff like that can help, but it's the physical activity that really changes our focus and adds a boost of dopamine.  Go for a walk.  You will be so darn proud of yourself tomorrow morning when you wake up and have accomplished this first very tough day.  Stay the course.  You want this, remember?

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Bite Into A Lemon Skin And All!

Stick Your Head In The Freezer And Count Backwards From 20.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

PS I sent you a pm yesterday with my email address.

Why am I pointing this out?

I didn't know you wrote this post until Giulia messaged me.

[YoungAtHeart]

What THEY said!  I can add:  do some jumping jacks, walk 'round and round your table, go up and down a set of stairs...FAST, take slow/deep breaths, take a shower or a bath, do ALL that has been listed.

Staying occupied is VITAL in the first hours/days of your quit!  Don't just sit there thinking about smoking - DO something.

You have decided you will not smoke another cigarette NO MATTER WHAT!  You are experiencing "WHAT."  Just don't smoke!

Hang in there - you will be SO proud when you end this first day and haven't smoked!

Nancy

[Daniela2016]

Open youtube and practice some guided meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyy0ra2WcQQ, this is just one example, there are many out there. 

Go for a walk, start singing out loud, be happy you are quitting.  No one said it was easy but it is possible. 

Change your mind set, be proud of what you are doing, practice deep breathing; inhale, count to 4,hold it in, count to 4, exhale on the count of 4.  Try increasing the count to 5, then to 6.  Do it for 10 times, then go back to normal breathing.

WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU IS NORMAL!!! But you can change it all by taking control of your thoughts, and follow all the advice given to you in this post. 

Come back later and tell us how it went, don't give up, you can do it, we trust you, you should trust yourself too!

[minihorses]

You are going through major withdrawal.  I felt the same and at times worse.  I threw up for a month. You are not going insane or going to have to do this alone! Are you using any nicotine replacement therapy? If not, I suggest giving it a try as soon as possible. It's no magic pill but if helps the withdrawals!  Keep experimenting with ways to distract yourself because each trigger scenario might need a different distraction than other triggers.  You're doing great! Be proud of every minute, you are making progress one second at a time. 

Julie    64 DOF 

[elvan]

Sjackson9   No crave ever killed anyone and no crave lasts forever, you can do this, you have to stop giving the craves power, that's what you are doing here.  They don't have power, they don't have ANYTHING...YOU have all of the power, every person here has been where you are, EVERY one, we ALL started at day a day one and we all needed to keep going.  This is an addiction, Shannon, it is not easy to recover from ANY addiction, this one is no different from others...addiction is addiction.  Recovery is a journey, it is not an event.  You have to accept that it is not easy BUT it IS possible.  Be willing to go through some rough spots and accept the fact that your perception is off, you are NOT really going crazy, you are not going to die...your addiction is throwing a fit.  Stay close...do whatever you have to do to NOT SMOKE!  No matter what, smoking is NOT the answer, it fixes nothing.

Ellen

[MarilynH]

You can do this quit, you can get through this  Day ONE and when this evening arrives and you're getting ready for bed you can look yourself in the mirror and smile and say yay for Day WON, believe in yourself, be willing, determined and committed to succeed and you can and will be successful one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour, minute or even one second at a time as long as you keep moving forward you'll be successful, you've got lots of advice above me stick with N.O.P.E - Not One Puff Ever and read everything you can about quitting smoking and remaining quit because there's a wealth of information here to strengthen your resolve to kick the nicotine poison to the curb and start living a life of Freedom, you can do this by making the choice not to smoke no matter what, stay close know that we're here for you to help you through the rough patches so hang on tight to to the best gift that anyone Will ever give ourselves which is the gift of LIFE. 

[Mandolinrain]

Everything above and Vick’s Vapor Rub. That stuff nixed my craves immediately. A bit under the nose.

I also used the Vick’s inhaler from time to time. Really helped.

[maryfreecig]

     What can I say to you? What did I tell myself when I quit cold turkey in 2013? I told myself that I was quitting. Period. That I would take any and all actions to effect my quit. Period. But I felt weird when I quit--curiously out of sorts, fearful that I was too broken to fix. 

     I remember cleaning a cupboard--haltingly and wishing I understood something...anything. Nothing had meaning!

     I remember mowing the lawn, looking toward the sky and wondering what life was all about.

     I remember feeling anguish and eating candy! 

     Addiction, Addiction, Addiction.

     What did I do to stay smober? I watched comedies, read, walked, drew, worked, took pictures of birds (all things I liked or was willing to do) drank coffee (not advising), ate candy, searched youtube for helpful videos and watched. None of these things are recommendations to you, so much as to say, you have to do what you know you can do to get through the first days of change and upheaval of quitting-- many quitters, not all, go through. What floats your boat? Grudgingly or happily or somewhere in between, begin the process of allowing your brain to focus on other things.

    Yes you can say yes to smobriety. Try to remember other times you rose to the occasion for whatever reason and see that part of yourself...call upon it. Think of those you admire and emulate those qualities that they possess. Dig deep for why not me, why not now and yes I can.

Quit Smoking Success Stories - YouTube   Here are some youtube quit stories to focus on

Quitting Smoking Encouragement - YouTube  Here is some more stuff for encouragement and distraction

[Jennifer-Quit]

It isn't easy but it is doable - and you need to do whatever is necessary to get through this day without smoking.  In the first month of my quit I read novels - it was something that I could do without thinking of smoking.  It got me through the rough times. Find something - anything - that works for you,  Music? Art? Exercise?  Be creative.  Best wishes to you,

[Roller831]

Listen to the Elders.  Read.  Email Dale.  Reach out.  We are here to assist you.  You did the right thing...come here BEFORE you light up!  You can make it...second by second...minute by minute until the Day One is over and it becomes a Day WON!  Tomorrow may be just as difficult, but if you can make it through today, you can make it through another day.

Someone once told me a craving lasts 7 seconds.  You can make it through 7 seconds.  You may have another craving immediately after the first one, but you only need to get through 7 seconds at a time.  

For me...anything having to do with the mouth made the cravings worse...gum, toothpicks, ice, mints, etc. I needed to do other things to keep my hands busy, but leave my mouth alone.  Draw something even if you stink at drawing.  Go online and do a crossword puzzle. See if keeping your hands busy helps.

You've got this!

[JonesCarpeDiem]

I used wint-o-green lifesavers and cut plastic straws into thirds and chewed on those to break the oral habit and eventually stopped using them

[dwwms]

Lots of good advice above - distract yourself anyway possible! Hope you've found ways to alleviate the cravings!

If you can't get smoking off your mind, turn it around, think about all the reasons why you want to quit, think about how great it is not to need to smoke, not to have to stand out in the cold to smoke, how good you'll feel when you have today under your wings and then another and another.

YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

[Sjackson9]

THANK you for your kind and heartfelt words of encouragement and advice. They should have a VERY HELPFUL selection button,  because this on definitely is. MUCH love and appreciation. 

[Sjackson9]

THANK you soooooo much.

[Sootie]

The first days can be tough....but HANG IN THERE. If you have to go minute by minute----do it. Anything except smoke.........scream, cry, sleep (if you are able to sleep a lot this really helps!), dance, walk, run, jog, hit something (don't hurt anyone or yourself), eat, read, jump around.......do WHATEVER......just don't smoke. And don't worry......this doesn't go on forever. You will see the craves lessen as time goes by. They will hit you again from time to time...but each day under your belt of not smoking is you reclaiming your life. And I promise you....I PROMISE YOU....it is so wonderful on the other side. You really want to get here to experience it. Reach out when you need to.

STAY STRONG

[Giulia]

So?  It's after midnight.  Did you get through Day One?  A lot of inquiring minds will want to know.  Hope so!

[Roller831]

Add me to the list of inquiring minds....it is the morning of Day 2 and hope your Day One was a Day WON!

[Sjackson9]

No I failed. I was doing fine knowing that I had the choice to go outside and take a puff. My husband, who has NEVER smoked took away EVERYTHING and watched me like a hawk. I got so upset with the feelings of being in prison, that I caved around midnight and went and bought a pk.  I only had a couple of puffs, but it was not my moto of NOPE. (Not one puff ever). I've since taken control over MY QUIT, and am doing much better. Thanks for all of you cheering for me. Don't stop because I'm getting right back on with the control in my hands. I have to do it for ME. Not because somebody is watching my every move. I'm more likely to talk myself out of it than to hide around the corner for a quick puff. 

Maybe it's just me and how my mind works. But it WORKS for ME!

[Jennifer-Quit]

Dear you are doing this for you.  And it is so very important to have the support of your husband.  However, in the end it is your decision and yours alone to smoke or not to smoke.  I remember too well the first few days - it is hell - but going through the first few days of hell is so much worth the freedom that you gain.  It gets better - time is the healer.  Carry on my friend - we are here for you.  

[Giulia]

I "hear" you.  Being watched is not helpful.  Definitely not.  Big old Master eye, so very much attentive.  Mmmm hmmm.  Know it well.   HOWEVER - throw the rest of the pack out now.  No.  Put it under the sink.  It hurts to throw away all that money,  I know.  But it also helps the commitment.  Watch your excuses.  NOPE may not be your motto, but then it's up to you to come up with one more powerful that will keep you smoke free.  So far whatever you're using doesn't seem to be working.  

 "I was doing fine knowing that I had the choice to go outside and take a puff."  You always have that choice. How exactly did your husband watching over you alter that choice?  Nobody took it away from you. The only thing that changed was the choice you ultimately made.  You had two choices - smoke or not.  You chose smoke. Right?

I'm throwing a bit of tough love at you here.  I actually understand the emotional place you're coming from (I think).  Being watched like a hawk made you feel like you DIDN'T have the choice to smoke or not.  Made you feel like you SHOULDN'T, MUSTN'T!.  Put more pressure on you.  And so you felt like a prisoner.  And so you broke free and SMOKED!  And what did that win you?  A do-over.  Another day one. 

I may be totally off the mark here.  And if so - forgive me.  I've been wrong before!  I just want you to really think about choices and excuses.  In overcoming this addition, there are a million excuses to smoke, but only one right choice when it comes to putting that next cigarette in our mouths if we really want to be free - and that is not to.

You became psychologically free the moment you eliminate the option to smoke.  If there's no option - there's no choice.  Having only one choice makes it much easier to accept the journey.   Keep working it.

[susan_m]

This quitting thing is so incredibly private, you know?  It was for me, anyway.  Yes, I had tremendous support here on this site and at home, but the honest to God real work was done privately. It was in my head....in my heart.  It was in my chest when it tightened with the physical reaction to a crave.  It was a private battle with my addiction to smoking.  If my husband watched me like a hawk I didn't notice because I kind of had my hands full.

You really can do this, Shannon.  You want this.  You want the physical, emotional and financial freedom that comes with quitting.  After all of our time on the phone, I know that you want to quit for you, for your future.  Everything else is fluff.

There's no shame in quitting, love.

Let 'em watch. 

[elvan]

So sorry to here that you struggled so much...smoking is not going to do anything for you...believe that, inscribe it on your brain.  I would not handle having someone take over my quit but I sure did appreciate the support I got from friends and family.  In the end, the quit belongs to the person quitting and there is nothing that anyone else can do to control it.  I do think that you can do this as long as you commit and don't allow anything to sway you.

Ellen

[minihorses]

I think most of us cave in at least once in the beginning of becoming an EX-er!  So you slipped. Don't make a huge deal of it.  Accept the fact that you're only human and it's not the end of your quit, just an itty bitty rock you twisted your ankle on for a few moments.  I messed up on my 3rd day of freedom. I told myself that I knew it would happen after 35 years of letting the devil control me so I was prepared but also very mindful of thoughts and feelings that might send me off the wagon.  I was proud of myself for starting this new life without a ball and chain of cigarettes so beating myself up was counter productive to my pride of accomplishment which was more important. Dwelling on the past and letting it take back your old life is like drinking draino and expecting it to clear out your body toxins when in reality drinking it WILL kill you in miserable ways.  Trade the draino for a cup of your favorite beverage and hit the community support you will get here.  Promise yourself that you won't drink any more draino.  Learn N.O.P.E and keep it close to you in your pocket 

Julie   66 DOF

[Roller831]

So the good thing here is that you admitted it and are getting right back to it!  That is tough all by itself so be proud of that.  Next...believe that you are really doing this for you and noone else.  Sometimes that doesn't come as naturally as we think.  I tell myself be it until I see it....or fake it til I make it....I say those things when I don't really believe I can do something.  I pretend and go through the motions of doing it and then it falls into place and I am doing it!  It doesn't work for everyone, but could be an idea.

Yes, Guilia provided some very good (excellent) advice and by her own admission it is tough love.  Sometimes we all need that.  The thing is she and others will always support you here.  You may or may not like what you read or hear, but we say it out of kindness and caring believe it or not.  Take what you want and leave the rest.

You can do this.  I know it.  You put too much thought into your quit not to do it.  Now you need to act on it.  You.  Not your husband.  You.

You can turn Day One into Day WON again!

[Sootie]

I second roller831‌    the GREAT thing is you admitted it and came back to the site. You didn't just disappear as so many do. As you move forward in your quit.....make a plan on what you will do about people----like your husband----maybe think about talking to him (or anyone) who is bugging you on your quit. Just explain your feelings and how important your quit is to you. You need to make a plan for any situation that may endanger your quit.

Stay Strong

[MichelleDiane]

Don't feel alone.  Although my cravings are moderate I am working it a second at a time.  With the help of the people in this forum I am not only holding on to my sanity, but holding onto my quit.  I know it is hard and empathize greatly with you.  Best wishes.

-Michelle

[elvan]

How ARE you?  Know that you are being thought of and that you are not alone...