You can choose to be anxious and fearful
to quit smoking but, it is not required.
Sure, you will have some rough days in first two to three weeks experiencing the physical withdrawal symptoms and beginning to unlearn the habit part of smoking. We all did.
You will feel "out of it" like something is missing or not right.
The memories of smoking are strong because they are connected to every emotion and life experience.
Quitting is a process. After being on this and another site for over 10 years an average of 10 hours a day listening and watching and helping, I see it as a definable process.
You can begin to understand what is happening by living smoke free but, you must continue making the choice to not smoke for a period of time in order to unlearn the psychological connections and be successful. As you live daily without smoking the unlearning process continues as you build new memories that don't include smoking.
This is the secret of success. You must unlearn the hand to mouth and inhale motions that are connected to the memories and emotions experienced as a smoker.
Enjoy the process, don't bemoan it. This is the only way to be free and not desire to be a smoker ever again.
After about 130 days you will not be thinking of you as a smoker or of smoking as often. Be willing to give yourself that amount of time without giving up on yourselves.
Accept your new path as a non smoker. The only way out is through.
Here Is The Timeline Of What You Can Expect
1st week toughest. (It feels so awkward to make the change initially)
2nd week is better (some are through the worst portion after 2 weeks)
3rd week is mo' better (most are through the worst withdrawal symptoms by the end of the third week)
4th week even better.
By the beginning of the 5th week, you think you got it licked. BUT
The next three months are the test because you will get urges out of nowhere They can be strong they can last an hour or longer and be spread over 2-3 days, but these are usually far between.
Get up! Get busy. Use the tools that got you this far.
They typically aren't stronger than anything you've already experienced. It's because they are so unexpected and can catch you off guard that makes them dangerous.
You've smoked for a long time.
Promise yourself 130 days from your last puff without giving in and you will rarely think of smoking.
and....laugh when you crave (chuckle in church)
(Please read the no mans land blog that follows which describes the feelings you might experience at one point or another in those 3+ months after the first month quit)
and also, about the two sets of seasons building your new non smoking memories below.
