Today = Meh..

[dan-kase]

So I've been good haven't been on in quite a while now. Glad I quit smoking when I did even tho I used an alternative method. A lot of OG's on here gave me crap for it.. (electronic cigarette)... But I've been healthier, started working out, lost 20 lbs since Jan after quitting. But like seems to either get better or get worse, mostly depends on the day. When you quit did you ever find yourself face to face with having to deal with your issues head on? First it started with anger, not a violent person, but I'm me and me is very vocal and has a tendency to shoot his mouth off. Luckily I work for my parents and not someone else, or else maybe I wouldn't have a job right now.. So, my parents demanded I see a counselor for anger management once a week... It's been 3 months, I feel relatively happy, but then today I got really depressed. This was about the time my Grandpa passed away in 06. I know he's dead and I can't change it, but I couldn't control my emotions and started tearing up at work. I need to focus on not focusing on the pain I guess. I refuse to take anti-depressants, I can handle it, I just need to know how..

[mlynne]

Hi Dan. You might try by first acknowledging your emotions instead of trying to fight them. There are no good or bad emotions, there are only good or bad responses to them. So if you're angry, you can find "good" ways to express it and accept its purpose in your life. The same with sadness. There's no reason to fight the tears...you were thinking of someone dear to you who is no longer here. Why should that be something to fight? The trick is to not allow your emotions to rule your life. They have a purpose (they remind you of your authentic self) but they should not run the show either. The next time you feel overwhelmed by an emotion, no matter what it is, stop for a moment, acknowledge that feeling, listen to what it's telling you, then thank it (bless it) and let it go. Sometimes emotions are like toddlers, they want attention and they don't care if it's the good kind or the bad kind. Just give them the good kind and you'll feel much more centered and in control.

[mlynne]

BTW, congrats on your quit! I for one don't care how anyone gets it done, as long as it gets done. Again, I don't believe there are right and wrong ways, just as long as your way works and you're successful in the end. And also, way to go on working out and losing weight. That has to make you feel really good about how you look and feel. Keep up the good work!

[josh7]

I'm really happy for you and proud that you've kept your quit. I used cigarettes as a crutch with social anxiety and panic disorder, so quitting exacerbated both of these. I learned to deal, and I have faith that you will as well. Keep your chin up, life is going to keep getting better, but only if you allow it to.

[david-hibling]

It has come as a surprise to me but since I have had to face huge depression since quitting I have learned that depression can be a side effect of stopping smoking and of course if you were having anxiety and depression before you gave up too it kust might be why your feeling low- it seems nicotine withdrawel depression is temporary but glad you are seeking help with your own feelings - jeep in there fella and people here care!

[Leenie]

I was just talking about how quitting smoking for me took away the instant band-aid whenever I was in conflict in some way. Now I have to learn (or relearn) ways of coping and managing my feelings. Good for you for quitting (however you did it - I don't think the method is important as long as it works for you). That's a tough thing to do. Now you will probably have to start working on what a lot of us have to work on - that figuring out how to handle the feelings. You have lots of understanding and caring people on here so good for you for reaching out.