The mind of a quitter :)

[bobjay]

One of the coolest things for me during the (almost) 2 weeks I've gone without a smoke has been observing how the mind works when it desperately wants something that it can't have. I remember waking up the first few mornings after I quit, instantly thinking that I'd get the coffee started and have a cigarrete--just like I was used to. It was strange to have to continually remind myself that I was no longer a smoker. Then just today I woke up and started making coffee and watching the news. It dawned on me about 30 minutes after I'd woken up that I hadn't even thought about smoking once.

It really is just all about breaking down the strong associations we've formed in our minds, I think. And everytime you don't have a smoke when doing something that you previously would have smoked for, the association between that thing and smoking becomes that much weaker, the next craving that much less intense, and quitting starts to feel easier. 

Curious to know about other peoples' thought processes during their first weeks! What was the most pestering thought you had in your mind when you would experience cravings, and how did you deal with it? 🙂 

[Giulia]

You've got a great attitude and mindset!  Admire it.  My pestering was more of a physical empty, unsatisfied WANT something but don't know what and whatever I put in my mouth doesn't make me feel replete.  I just knew I couldn't allow myself to "think" about smoking. So I turned my mind away from it as best I could.  I personified the feeling as a persona - don't know that I called it the Nicodemon per se, but would just simply yell out loud at him/it/my addicted self:  "Oh just GO AWAY!!!"  I had to fight the feelings of wanting to smoke.  I had totally committed to my quit, so it wasn't that I had any fear of relapsing.  I just needed to force my brain onto any other thought than "I want a cigarette."  I also had to remind myself that it really didn't taste as wonderful as I thought it did. A great part of my desire to smoke was the "taste" of it.  A lot of people here talk about using a cigarette to 'stuff their emotions," but I was never that kind of smoker.  A cigarette was always my dessert, either after a meal or after a job well done.  It wasn't so much of a smoke screen as an enhancer.   

In answer to your question, I would just get busy doing something ANYTHING to get my mind off the thoughts.  But especially I would get out of the physical area from where the thoughts were emanating.  If I were in the kitchen I'd go to the family room.  If in my office, I'd go outside or to another area of the house.  Sitting in the same spot and dwelling on smoking thoughts will swamp you every time.  You've got to MOVE physically and that will help you move mentally.  That's why exercise is often mentioned.  It not only gets your mind OFF the elephant in the corner, but it creates the same kind of brain happies that nicotine gives you.

[bobjay]

Awesome response. Thanks, Giulia! I can definitely relate to what you're saying about the need to physically change rooms and move. I was really surprised at how restless I was last week. It wasn't even that the cravings were so bad, I was just really bored and didn't know what to do with my time. I ended up taking many walks, haha --and remembered how much I used to enjoy them. Before I'd be able to sit at home all day on a saturday, doing nothing, and feel like I was doing something because I was smoking every hour or so...

[YoungAtHeart]

Keepring my mind busy was my main tool in the early days.  I had not found this site or the wonderful information here until four days after I had quit - and I had decided that I would use a frozen Hershey Kiss when a crave got too bad.  Well  that worked OK on the first day until I was sick from eating too much chocolate ---- and my daughter brought me her iPad and Angry Birds.  It was MY salvation.  I was not able to exercise at the time - but know that would have been my #1 tool had I been able.

The most difficult association for me to break was the task complete break "reward."  I still, even after 4 1/2 years, think about a cigarette during those times.  No problem since thoughts are not a command to action - but it's interesting to me that they stiff occur.

You are doing GREAT to have this aha moment so early in your quit.  It bodes well for your success!

Nancy

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Thanks

I have been teaching this for almost 10 years.  🙂

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Congratulations on your upcoming 2 weeks!

[Thomas3.20.2010]

I struggled most with the idea that I could smoke and nobody would know! Never mind that it's a total lie! You can't lie to yourself and your lungs - THEY KNOW! But so does anybody who can smell you, i.e. everybody except smokers! I had to decide that I didn't like smoking any more so why would I want to do it AT ALL?

Very thoughtful Blog. Bobjay

[avjets]

Great post topic, mostly because today is day 15 for me.  I think the biggest thing I have noticed about my mind is when there is alull at work or a finish a conferecne call or task my mind used to go to well time to have a cigareete.  Those were the strongest cravings in the first few days.  It is the learned response and habit effect.  Time opens up and the immediate reaction is do what you have been doing for years.  But much like you after the first few days I noticed I would go 4-5 hours without even thinking I should be smoking now, regardless of lulls or tasks completed.  I think your point about every time you resist it gets weaker applies to so many things in life including smoking but much more beyond that as well.  I am a believer that the only true thing we can control in our lives, well at least most of the time, is not what happens around us but our reaction to that information/event.  I am still learning daily and hope this continues to get stronger with practice.  As an ative approach when a craving hits I drink a tall glass of water, and either do a few quick walk or actually try to invite the craving to come on and do its worst to me so I can see there is always the other side and choice.

Thanks again for the post and the best to you as you continue to re-learn life without cigarettes, as I am!

[Daniela2016]

Nice dealing with it Bobjay.  

I missed the action of smoking, used other tools you and the others are speaking about; used candies to fill up the "emptiness", changed the place I was having my coffee, went for walks, and moved around in the house, away from the physical spot where the "need" occurred.  Once I found this place (45 days into my quit) things took a turn for the better.  I started blogging, educating myself, learning constantly, and having a place where to come when the need aroused.  And I still do the same today.

[Silverstar]

Thanks for posting, Bobjay, and congrats on "forgetting" about smoking for a while.  The first time that happened for me, I was pretty jazzed.  I did what most did, changed my routines, did other things, substituted behaviors, but the emotional reasons for smoking still plague me, so working on attitude these days the most. 

Awesome Quit, guy, glad you (we) are here!

[maryfreecig]

Glad you are feeling better about kicking the addiction out the door...next stop....eternal vigilance. Keep thriving.