The New Routine

[Christine13]

Getting there with my routine, I wake up get pills for myself.  Feed and water Ruby.  Get my coffee and water.

Then answer e-mails and come to EX.  My hardest time remains in the morning.  It's as hard to change my morning routine, as it is to stop smoking.  Going on to the weekend.  Friday I woke up lost again, but moved through the day.  I hate to say I miss my cigs so much.  Had anxiety yesterday but made it through it.  Yesterday was a good day, with company of my parents in the morning, and my daughter and her husband over later and they brought supper.

Tomorrow I meet two friends for lunch.  I have anxiety about that too.  Why?  It should be a good time, they don't smoke either.  Will have to talk to my Dr. about this when he calls me later in August.  I just want to be free to come and go, and be more confident when making plans to go out.  In later years I was always a closet smoker.  Never smoking in front of company or in the house.  I can make this happen.  COVID has done a number on me, by keeping me at home, and actually I'm quite happy to go through it.  Gives me an excuse not to go out and face my anxiety about going out.  Smoking doesn't solve anything.  The only way out is through.  I just wish I could get myself moving more.

Sorry rambling here.  Do I make sense?  Not sure.  Not smoking over it.  

[YoungAtHeart]

Ramble on!  You are doing SPLENDIDLY for quitting during a pandemic.  If you give your quit a bit more time, I think you will find that your anxiety will DECREASE.  Have you ever read the book by Allen Carr?  If not, I strongly suggest you do - it explains why this is so.

You are seeing more friends and going out more than I - so maybe be a bit grateful you are able to do that?  I know I am starting to suffer from lack of company and contact  - but it's the only way I know I will be safe.  I also know  won't smoke over it!!

We WILL get through this..........

Hang in there!  Don't smoke!

[indingrl]

Beautiful blog - beautiful YOU - I am so glad to read YOUR blog - YOU give ME HOPE Christine for ME to just put one foot in front of the other - thanks again for blogging - I look for YOU each day - I am so sad these moments of MY day - thoughts on MY mama - YOUR blogs HELP ME to keep moving forward and to STAY in MY moments - in HIS love I love YOU  - just SHARING - I do jigsaw puzzles they HELP ME relax I bought a 3.00 aerobic walking dvd with Leslie Sansone from resale shop - I do every morning - I try different things for newness in MY day

[maryfreecig]

It was hard to find my place and purpose when I quit--at first and for a while. I didn't like that at all--smoking or cigarettes were central to me. Not smoking felt like nothingness at best, horrible at worst. Only a highly addictive drug can have this effect! Otherwise we'd all quit immediately, never look back. 

I found it painful to deal with my desire to smoke or at least a vague desire to have what I had when I was smoking. I learned to stack my days with things that were uppers. It's funny how many small things can be an upper. I'd get a hot dog with brown mustard, extra onions and I'd add in a candy bar--this from the local gas station. I called it my gas station lunch. I loved it. Then I'd walk in a favorite place. I'd eat a dinner that I really enjoyed. Watch a comedy in the evening that made me laugh. 

I had to relearn what do I like other than smoking. At first it was all behavior modification--that's grunt work--but it works!

You can find your quit, your terms, your way one day at a time.

[Christine13]

I'm sorry Nancy.  I am very grateful to go out every day that I do.  Also grateful to have company.  I have read Allen's book, but I will read it again.  I have two copies here. 

[Christine13]

Thank you Diane Joy!  You inspire me every single day.  I need/must start walking again too, but I have a bad knee.  Still I found my knee brace so I could use that to help me.

xo

[Christine13]

How wonderful that you had special treats and found your new normal.  This helps me too.  I need to figure out a small reward for myself too.  Like a bath, or a newspaper to read, or a special coffee.

It's going to take some time until I can be comfortable in my new skin.

[Maki]

It sounds to me like you are much better at coping though Christine , that's great , and it seems by your post this morning that you also cope better with people around you .Have you noticed that ?  It's a distraction right . Unfortunately we have all had to adjust in some way to covid and for almost all of us it hasnt been easy . You mentioned mornings are especially your trigger times . What kinds of things could you plan ahead in the evening the night before so that mornings you have something to look forward to other than what you usually do ?  I know that could be a toughy , but if you can figure out something do you think it could help? Maybe ome on here then in the evenings, just switch it up ? I dunno ..just throwing out ideas . I think you really are doing such wonderful things lately to help yourself . You should be oh so proud ... not all of us are the same and I know it can be harder for some than others . I'm just so encouraged that you are applying so much of what you learned lately . I hope you continue just a minute at a time or a day at a time . 

[Christine13]

Thank you Maki.  Maybe I could get a daily morning Yoga practise in to start my day.  My evenings are all good.  I turn off the music then and turn on the TV and watch the news and make my phone calls to check up on people in the family I know.  Yes, I do much better when I have company around it is a great distraction!!

[indingrl]

Awe YOUR welcome - I am so GRATEFUL to MY Daddy God blessing ME with YOU because I know YOU understand MY saddness about MY mama and have experience to HELP ME when MY Ma goes to heaven

[JACKIE1-25-15]

KNOW THIS TRUTH ABOUT YOU CHRISTINE.

YOU CAN AND WILL MAKE IT.  DON'T FEED ON THE LIES. FEED ON THE TRUTH.  KEEP LISTENING TO THE BRAVE STRONG VOICE INSIDE OF YOU.  YOU ARE HELPING OTHERS BY COMING HERE SHARING YOUR JOUIRNEY.  YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS TOO.  hANG TOUGH, STAY CLOSE. NEVER GIVE IN. 

[sweetplt]

You are doing good Christine Christine13 keep working the routine ... ~ Colleen 

[Gergzz]

Building my routine helped my anxiety tremendously in the morning! Glad you're staying strong

[elvan]

My routine involved the cats first and then EX.  I got so in to reading on EX that I was late for work more than once.  I had to make myself stay away from the site until I was dressed.  It was my new routine.

Keep it up, Chris, you are doing great.

XOXO,

Ellen

[CommunityAdmin]

Today is day number 9. How are you doing?

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Christine13]

I'm managing, mornings are still bad,but a bit better.  Thanks for asking Mark.

[CommunityAdmin]

Christine13 wrote:

I'm managing, mornings are still bad,but a bit better.  Thanks for asking Mark.

Thanks for checking in. Please keep doing so. Do so every time you consider smoking. Or just make it a habit to check in every day and post something. Reflect on how you're doing and what's going well and what you're struggling with.

You've thrown away everything smoking related and are committing to not buy or borrow a cigarette again, right? We're here for you. Let's make this your forever quit.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[elvan]

You are DOING this, Chris, I am so proud of you.  Getting into routines really helps and the mess that was made out of so many peoples' lives because of this virus has just thrown a lot of people off.  You are DOING this lady.  Keep going!!

xoxo

Ellen

[sweetplt]

Hey Christine Christine13 How is your quit going? Gotcha on my mind ~ Colleen 624 DOF 

[CommunityAdmin]

I was wondering the same.  We're thinking about you Christine13‌. You were checking in and writing consistently. 

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Christine13]

I'm doing ok.  It's tough, but I find myself thinking about it less often throughout the day.

I was down to smoking 2 cigarettes a day.  I think that helped.  I have a really difficult time when I'm stressed and then I just want to smoke and drink.  Even something as simple as hearing about someone else's stress can stress me out, cause I empathize so much.  Even going for a small drive stresses me out altho I don't crave when driving.  I've learnt when I come home to have a glass of cold water.

If I have to go out three times in a week, I'm totally stressed.  I'm going to be honest with you, this isn't the perfect quit @Mark  I have had some slips.  So now, I'd like to reset my gadget and get a perfect quit going.  I am learning more and more what works and what doesn't.

[CommunityAdmin]

Christine13 wrote:

I'm doing ok.  It's tough, but I find myself thinking about it less often throughout the day.

I was down to smoking 2 cigarettes a day.  I think that helped.  I have a really difficult time when I'm stressed and then I just want to smoke and drink.  Even something as simple as hearing about someone else's stress can stress me out, cause I empathize so much.  Even going for a small drive stresses me out altho I don't crave when driving.  I've learnt when I come home to have a glass of cold water.

If I have to go out three times in a week, I'm totally stressed.  I'm going to be honest with you, this isn't the perfect quit @Mark  I have had some slips.  So now, I'd like to reset my gadget and get a perfect quit going.  I am learning more and more what works and what doesn't.

Understood. Sharing your story and truth is good. It moves you forward. 

Update your quit date and then remember to logout after doing so on the community, not Quit Plan. When you log back in the correct quit date should show.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[SuzyQ411]

Great post Mary maryfreecig‌... I know I have watched more movies than ever since I quit smoking in January. While I pay a monthly fee for Netflix, I'm also an Amazon Prime member (which includes free movies) and I have also found that youtube offers free movies.

I do need, however, to find some more "active" diversions; I have arthritic knees and hips but I could do short walks instead of telling myself "I can't do walking. Arthritis, you know..."

I strongly sense that behind your change in daily activities is a determination to make this quit stick that compels you to be more creative in planning your days.

Congrats on your success .. I see on your profile that you are almost at 3 years quit..Hooray!! 

Suzy

Day # 237 

[maryfreecig]

Almost seven years, Suzy. True, I do get creative in planning how to build a better smobriety. Which it seems you do too, since you face various challenges and stick with it, sharing your experience, strength and hope. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[SuzyQ411]

WOW! Almost 7 years quit!! (How did I misinterpret that..YIKES). So very happy for you!! 

[maryfreecig]

Still one day at a time, eh? Thanks for sending cheer.