The mind is a strange thing

[daverson828]

Day two of my first honest attempt in probably a decade, cold turkey this time.

Yesterday when I got in my car to go home, I kept telling myself how nice it was to be able to crank the AC and keep the windows up, which it really was. About fifteen minutes down the road it started feeling warm; my window was down three inches and I have absolutely no memory of pushing the button. Then I noticed that I was at a place where I'd normally light a cigarette. Kinda creepy, but I'm choosing to laugh at it.  

This morning the administrator and I went for a run which was great; thank God for her and other supportive coworkers. I've been drinking lots of water and herbal tea and trying to get a little work done, but it feels like every few minutes I'm being tugged on.

Sometimes it's a cheery "right, time to go outside!"

Sometimes it's a logical "you'll want to at [insert point in the future]."

Sometimes it's a nostalgic "remember when you did at [insert point in the past]?"

Sometimes it's an insidious "you could always because [insert rationalization]."

And sometimes its simply "CIGARETTES EXIST!!!!"

I know what these are. I acknowledge each one, and let it go. But between you and me, I can't wait for this to be over. 

[sweetplt]

Congratulations on making Day 1, Day Won...on to Day 2...remember “one step at a time”...drink lots of water, because Nicotine is still in your blood stream...Gotcha in my Thoughts ~ Colleen 260 DOF 

[Barbscloud]

Welcome to the Ex.  Congrats on your decision to quit and your 2nd day smoke free.  Sounds like you've prepared with your great analysis of the thought process.   It's all of them at different times.  It will get easier, but it is a journey.  If you need support, reach out.  We're here for you. 

Barb

[TW517]

You are doing great.  I love your attitude.  Sometimes, laughing at the tricks our minds play, is the best way to deal with it.  And as you've discovered, movement and lots of water help too.  Congrats on Day 2!

[YoungAtHeart]

Don't worry about it being "over!"  This is a journey, with many twists and turns and ups and downs.  Try to just focus on today - this hour, this minute.  Take each challenge as it comes. 

Your attitude is one of your best tools - and yours seems to be in exactly the right place!  Exercise and water are vital, too.  You might keep some sugar free gum or mints handy, too, and a crossword puzzle book for quiet times.

For your drive to and from work - be sure to have water handy, and crank up some tunes with which you can sing aloud to keep your mind off of smoking.  Count the red/blue/white cars you see, or the lights you hit or miss.  You might also make up a story about the people in the car next to you.  Are they family or coworkers?  Do they ALL want to go to their destination?   If not, why not?  Is someone in the car angry with someone else there?  Why?  Will they stay together when they get to their destination? Let your imagination go wild with the possibilities!  A mind that is being creative will not linger on those smoking thoughts.

Day Two is almost WON - then on to Day Three (almost half a week!)!

[elvan]

CONGRATULATIONS on a seriously GREAT attitude.  You can do this, it WILL get easier...I promise.  You are off to a great start.

Ellen

[maryfreecig]

Keep the smober days rolling in.

[constanceclum]

After tomorrow, your toughest days of this journey will be over and most nicotine will be out of your system. So glad you have support at work. You will also get a ton of support here.

Connie

[daverson828]

That's great advice, thank you!

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

I  used to call this the divided mind. That time right after we quit where we face a constant internal argument within ourselves. I remember it well. I think you're doing exactly what you should be doing. recognizing it's existence and letting it go. These are all things that the mind has to work out as we begin to fight for freedom. It's uncomfortable but it does eventually fade away. CONGRATULATIONS on your commitment.

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck 

[indingrl]

Thanks for sharing YOUR courage strength experience and VICTORY OVER YOUR OLD SELF - Yahoooooooooo CELEBRATING YOUR NEW NON SMOKER LIFE STYLE AND CONGRATS 2 DAYS! Congrats on YOUR NEW MINDSET and WAY TO GO knowing YOUR self TODAY  and choosing to BREATHE FREE -  through YOUR moments of YOUR DAY- - GOOD JOB - gentle hug

[MarilynH]

Welcome to the community hang onto your positive attitude because it'll get through the rough patches, YAY for another Day WON tonight with many more to come......

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I am glad you are on the right track. Congrats on 2 days WON.  You can do this.  Keep going. 

[TriGirl]

I love what you are doing. Acknowledge and move it along. Thank you. Next!

[PrimeNumberJD]

Another quitter on the verge of riding their system of nicotine! Day 3, that is the hardest point, after that, craves and urges are downhill! You got this! 

[AnnetteMM]

Muscle memory is kinda freaky, isn't it?

[minihorses]

I still drive with the window cracked open quite often.  Old habits die hard but I also like to have some fresh air besides what's coming through the vents (which isn't very fresh at all).

[elvan]

Congratulations on a seriously good attitude.  This IS going to get easier.

Ellen

[green1611]

Congratulations.....and welcome to Ex. 

Nice words to put in your feelings.

Do just keep on saying, NOPE. No One Puff Ever.

All the best! 

[Miglets]

Good job!  I’ll add my two cents to the comments, the first few days are always the hardest, you are getting the nicotine out of your system.  After that it’s all the little urges you have to deal with, best to distract yourself and look for alternatives to smoking.  The worst is over in a couple weeks or so.  Then for the next couple of months there are urges that still happen but you have a better handle on dealing with them now.  Over the next year, there will be occasional urges that come up unexpectedly.  Someone told me or I read somewhere that you need to experience everything at least once as a non- smoker before you get over the urges and that still finds true to me.

Good luck and hang on to your quit!