Today, I am struggling...

[nosmokemom]

Although I am happy to say that I have been smoke free for 3 days, 13 hours and 8 minutes because this is a personal record for me (sad, I know), I am not enjoying this quit today.  One would think it should get easier as the days go by.  I feel worse today than I did yesterday.    It would be so easy to crumble once again and buy a pack, but deep down I don't want to do that.   It is not even lunchtime yet and I have pulled out my list of reasons to quit at least four times already!   My husband has been the victim of my short fuse and quick temper since starting this quit, I can't focus, and I am not sleeping well!    URGHHH!!!  Ok, I feel a little better.  I guess I need something to look forward to - like when does it get easier, when do I stop thinking about smoking all day?? 

[Breakinchains]

"It would be so easy to crumble once again and buy a pack, but deep down I don't want to do that."

    You said it, that is the most important part of a quit, you have to want it. Keep thinking that thought, that will stop you from buying that pack of smokes.  Remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) and keep a good positive attitude, and you will do just fine. The first week is the toughest. You will be irritable, and not be able to concentrate, and on edge, but IT WILL PASS.

[Breakinchains]

"It would be so easy to crumble once again and buy a pack, but deep down I don't want to do that."

    You said it, that is the most important part of a quit, you have to want it. Keep thinking that thought, that will stop you from buying that pack of smokes.  Remember NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) and keep a good positive attitude, and you will do just fine. The first week is the toughest. You will be irritable, and not be able to concentrate, and on edge, but IT WILL PASS.

[christi79]

I found it easier to stay busy, keep my mind busy and not do the count down. When I have craving hit hard I drink a glass of milk, water, exercise or even brush my teeth. Try to breath in and just relax. No it is not easy just be strong and hold in there, you'll make it. One day you will look back and be proud of yourself and your kids will be proud too. Think about how you are struggling and remeber that kids that come from smokers are more likely to smoke and you don't want them going through this. Hang in there you can do it!!

[onelasttime]

DAY 3 DOES SEEM TO GET TO EVERYONE THAT I HAVE READ ON HERE. JUST TRY TO KEEP BUSY AND OCCUPY YOU MIND WITH OTHER THING THE MORE YOU DWELL ON THOUGHTS OF SMOKING THE WORSE IT WILL BE FOR YOU. WHEN THE THOUGHTS COME QUICKLY REPLACE THEM WITH SOMETHING PLEASANT. IF YOU REALLY WANT THIS YOU WILL GET IT, ALTHOUGH ITS NOT EASY AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A ADDICT BUT THE TEMPTATION GETS WEAKER EVEERYDAY AFTER IT PEAKS  HANG IN THERE....DEB

[kathys]

You are doing such a great job. I found that my fourth day was the hardest and a few others on here said the same thing so hold on tight and ride this day out. You can do it. It will all be so much better really soon. Look at it this way, You have done the hardest part and that is quiting in the first place.  Be proud of how far you've come and the life that you will enjoy really soon smoke free.   Take care,  Kathy

[choptrice]

BREAKINTHECHAINS SAID IT ALL  IT IS HARD THE FIRST WEEK  CONCENTRATION THE HAZY MIND THING  STILL PLAGUES ME IM AT DAY 23  HAD A TOUGH WEEKEND  BUT WE WANT TO QUIT RIGHT SO PUSH THRU AND KNOW THIS TO WILL PASS WITH TIME  AND IN TIME YOU WILL BE A NON SMOKER     ME TOO   AND THE MONEY WE SAVE FOR KIDS COLLEGE FUND THAT IS HUGE   GOD BLESS LESA

[Live4thedash]

You are doing a great job!!!  The early days are the worst in testing you, but you're almost through what I would call my hardest struggles. Once past 3 or 4 days I felt it get easier. Hang in there!  Keep reminding yourself of the positives you are getting. Drinking lots of water helped me. Also if I had the time I'd journal when a craving hit. I guess my point is do anything you can just don't have that one puff. You can do it!    !!!

[tdonnelly]

Stay strong and firm, those first few days are tough. But you can get through it!! Hang in there!

Good luck-----Tammy

[james41]

If you can get just a day or two more behind you  , it'll get better. Talk to yourself and try not to dwell on it ,, think of the worst thing your feeling and say   If this is the worst I can go another day. You'll have a sense of pride you could'nt imagine. And the first time you notice your breathing is better you'll just be inspired to keep going! I promise.

Thanks for your insightful blog ,, you just helped us  as much as we help you

James

[anacondahead]

You are in the middle of the worst of it. Just push your way through this day and it will get easier and easier. If you need any more motivation, just look at those beautiful children. They want you to stick around for them, and for you.

Choose life.

[maynell]

Like Ana said, you are going through the worst of it. It gets better, please believe me. Take the kids to a movie, the zoo, a museum, anywhere where you cannot smoke. Buy yourself a milkshake. Run around the block. ANYTHING to get your mind off your quit. In another couple of days, it will get much easier. Be happy you're free and that your body is healing. You can do it. 

[tmarcin]

Hang in there!!!  You can do it!

[freebreath]

Decide what you want in your life. Redirect your thoughts and actions until that is second nature. Addiction is learned behavior and the illimination of toxic poison smoke from your daily life is actually already improving your environment.

Study whyquitnow.com or pay attention to this for what it is :symptom of the disease process that  you are sick with right now. Just like the nausea or abdominal pain of diareah it will pass. And in my mind what I actually did do and would do again is just wait it out, in bed if that is all you can muster, stare at a blank wall, watch the clock tick

It feels and you will only get over this crap by kicking it.

You ARE doing what needs to be done. Do it now do it all the way and the reward is never having to do it again, NOPE.

[diane39]

You are in the middle of the worst of it.  It helped me to think, okay, one more hour.  Just push it one more hour.  And lo and behold, by the time that hour was up, it wasn't so bad and the next  "one more hour" was easier and before ya knew it, "one more hour" turned into days and days and was repeated less and less. Have NO idea if that will help or not but I think that every idea you can get, one has to stick! 

[JonesCarpeDiem]

every day will be a personal record.

so

don't cave to the crave or you'll be back as a slave

[exekex]

I agree, you are right in the middle of the worst. It only gets better from here and you do not want to have to do the last three days all over again! Hang on tight and just say N.O.P.E. Good luck, you WILL do it. I am on day 72 after smoking all my adult life (35 years+) and I am now repulsed by the thought of putting nicotine in my system

[nosmokemom]

Thank you so much for the amazing thoughts and advice.  Reading them throughout the afternoon made it much easier to keep moving forward!   The support on this site is priceless - I only hope that in the weeks to come, I will be in a better position to help or support someone on their "Day 4"!

[sonyaslim]

I am right with ya hon!  Remember one of the side affects of not having Nicotine in your system is confusion.  It is not lack of focus.

I have tried to quit several times, this time I feel more confident and on 27 hours.  So you are way ahead of me.  I may be needing you in the next day or so!

[JoAnne5-14-2008]

You passed some time by blogging.  Before you know it, this day will be behind you.  Do something to take your focus off of "not a good quit day" and focus on doing something you like to do.  Enjoy, you'll feel better each day you get through.  Hang in there, this too shall pass.

[lewis65]

Yes, hold on and it WILL get better!!!   It's funny, looking back and reading other's blogs (including mine) that have JUST quit, most of us asked the SAME desperate question, "When will this get easier?!" or "When will I stop thinging about cigarettes?!"  I'm on day 64, and I PROMISE it's much "easier" now than the first week and I really don't thing of smoking as much, either.  Hang in there!

[mrope222]

you are doing great, and you are such a beautiful person inside and out... don't worry about me or us, we will make it through this, with no regrets and no looking back !!!

love you wife,

me

[sunny_sandyd]

I'm on day 42 and what a hard day it was. Dealing with stress without cigarettes is a hard adjustment. It was all I could do today at grocery store to not buy a pack. Kept reminding myself how far I have come.  My health is not real good, cough all the time smoking is the last thing I need to do. I agree reading the blogs and everyone's stories really helps keep things in perspective.  Like in AA just one day at a time, thats all we can do.

[marie23]

You came here. You did not smoke. That is really awesome. You really don;t want to smoke. Think it through. Just like you did when you got your list. YOu are doing the right thing. Nobody was ever sorry they quit. But mostly all of us are sorry we smoked. Move forward with your wonderful family. Tell your husband not to take is pesonal. This too shall pass. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I know you can do this. Hang in there. Give yourself a nice reward for not smoking get a pedicure or something that makes you feel good. You deserve it.

[Bonnie11.3.2009]

Ah, to be 35 again and have the opportunity to quit smoking!  I am 57 and quit for almost 5 months now.  When you are overwhelmed, take a moment to step back and realize the magnitude of tyour quit.  It is the single best thing you can do for yourself and so worth every bit of effort and discomfort.  By quitting now, you will have a longer, healthier life.  Nothing is more important, so find ways to make these days as stress-free as possible.  Do everything you can to guarantee your success.  This is the time for you to quit!  Never look back!  Visit whyquit.com so you understand the addiction process and how/why to quit.  And most of all, NOPE-not one puff ever-one day at a time.  Be proud of yourself, you are doing great!!!

Keep blogging and let us know how you are doing, we care.