Weather change!

[Aginsky]

Hey everybody! Today I discovered a trigger that I never expected. Our weather went from 90° to the 65° range and all of a sudden I am craving a smoke like crazy! Has anyone else had this happen? Just curious...I have fought it all day and it sucks because I thought I had this beat!! Still hanging in there, i’m Smoke free 46 days today!

[marciem]

absolutely, Aginsky‌ !!  Season change, weather change, all can be triggers as part of the first year quit syndrome.  That's why we say "don't get complacent or overconfident" esp. in the first few months.  Better to stick close to support for the first year, and go thru all the things that only happen one or two (or four) times a year... birthdays, holidays, family reunions, first BBQ of summer, etc.   These are all occasions when smoking was a big part of our behavior, and once we get thru them without smoking, they are more minor triggers after that if at all.

It's good to know about these things in advance, at least be aware so that you don't get blindsided like you did with this weather change.   Stay close, you are still early days in your quit.  I know it seems like forever, but soon the days will be flying by more quickly.

Congratulations on your wonderful decision to live a smoke-free life!!

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Congrats on 46 days of freedom.  You are off to a good start of forever freedom.  Hold on to it tight.  The answer to your question is Yes, as explained in detail above by marciem It is called a change of seasons.  Use the magnifying glass top right corner put in the keyword and read as many blogs as you would like on the subject. Quitting smoking is a journey, one day at a time, one season at a time. 

[sweetplt]

Oh yes...much has been written about “season changes” causing triggers...https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/community/expert-advice/blog/2011/11/10/changing-seasons?sr=searc... 

Happy Friday ~ Colleen 305 DOF 

[YoungAtHeart]

Yep - perfectly normal.  The change in seasons, holidays, vacation spots and family dramas are all things that we must get past for the first two years of the quit process.  We don't have a lot of practice with relearning how to deal with them - so they can bring back those memories.

Just find NEW traditions to follow now.  Just like you changed up your daily routine when you quit, so too can you change up your seasonal routines.  Rake leaves when you get home from work instead of on the weekends.  Watch football in a different place - maybe even a nonsmoking restaurant.

You will be fine!

Nancy

[Barbscloud]

Absolutely.   Those were hard for me!  

Barb

[AnnetteMM]

Also see https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2013/12/05/the-two-sets-of-seasons?sr=sear... 

[Aginsky]

AnnetteMM, thank you for sharing! My first quit lasted 4 years and I got derailed by a major health scare with one of my kids. It is hard to prepare for a traumatic, unexpected event.

Sent from my iPhone

[YoungAtHeart]

That's why we suggest that you plan ahead of time what you can do instead of smoking when life sends its inevitable challenges your way.  Always keep in mind that there is never a good reason to smoke; there are only excuses.  You might take a moment to think about your thought process, and how smoking helped you deal with the eventual outcome of the health scare.  I would be willing to bet that it didn't affect the outcome, or really help you get through it one bit. Tt gave you a momentary pause in the action - but a quick walk or some slow/deep breathing would have provided the same thing.   After you smoked those cigarettes, the problems were still there - no?

I am sorry you lost that last wonderful quit - let's make THIS your forever one!

Nancy

[Barb102]

So glad to hear.  I thought it was just me and after all this time, I felt silly to ask if anyone else felt it. Thanks for sharing. It passes quickly but it surprised me. It happened to me in the spring and summer too. I thought it was a memory miss. Now I knew season changes can do this. See we all have more to learn from each other no matter where we are in our quits.  

[indingrl]

WE are all just -  ONE PUFF AWAY - Thanks for sharing and GOOD JOB - staying a non smoker and GOING through YOUR fffffeeeeeelllllliiiinnngggssss- CONGRATS STAYING A NON SMOKER  - GOOD JOB - accepting the next FEELINGS-  that TRY - to take over YOUR heart CHOICE - loving YOUR NEW LIFE STYLE -  A NON SMOKER - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF EVER - over YOU - CONGRATS - WAY TO GO - setting YOUR boundaries and telling YOUR FEELINGS what to DO - and NOT YOUR FEELINGS -  telling YOU to suck on DEATH sticks - GOOD JOB educating YOUR self - it ain't the weather - it ain't feelings -.it ain't people - place - thing situation - circumstance - it ain't life on life's terms - it YOU and YOUR CHOICES to keep YOUR NEW MINDSET with YOUR educating YOURSELF and then try - the SUGGESTION -  to say out LOUD - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF EVER - NotOnePuffEver - N.O.P.E - SmokingIsNotAnOption - SINAO -saying to YOUR self - I don't smoke anymore - I AM A NON SMOKER TODAY-  please take what HELPS and let go of the rest - to be HELPFUL is MY only aim - thank you - that's what was SUGGESTED to ME - 8 YEARS ago -- just for ME - I choose just for TODAY - NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF EVER over ME - YOUR DOING IT - WAY TO GO loving YOU and YOUR NON SMOKER  LIFE STYLE - WOOWOOOOOOOOOO - WAY TO GO - gentle hug

[MarilynH]

You are doing this quit and you're doing it one precious Smokefree Day at a time or hour minute or even a second at a time, congratulations on your precious quit journey YAY for 46 stupendous Smokefree days and counting WTG YAY for each and every Day WON with many more to come, it's going to get easier and easier with time under your belt and it definitely gets better and better without the crutch of cigarettes BUT it does take time BUT boy oh boy it's so worth it....

[elvan]

Congratulations on 46 days.  I, absolutely, felt this way when the weather became more pleasant.  I never smoked inside and when it was finally nice OUTSIDE...the craves came marching on.  It does get easier...we get stronger with the changes.

Ellen