You know how we keep telling you it gets better?

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Those first times you realize you didn't think of smoking all day are your proof.

It begins for some in the 70's. It began for me in the 80's.  For some later.

Yes it happens during the time most people give up.

Don't give up. Don't give in.

Those daye will become more frequent if you give it time.

I wasn't positive I was done until day 126.  For some it takes longer.

But those days you forget are the beginning of your proof.

Look for them. Celebrate them.

[Giulia]

YES!!!!!  Bingo. Another great experience of the proof of which we speak is the the day you can look at a cigarette and not want one. 

In the beginning, after a while, I'd be going along just fine not thinking about a cigarette and then I'd see a butt on the ground, or an empty, tossed away pack and I'd get SO MAD!!!!  Because then I'd be instantly back in "cigarette thinking" mode."  And I'd yell "GET OUT OF MY HEAD YOU BUGGER!!!" 

The day I could see a butt on the ground, or someone smoking and not think about it and have zero desire for one myself was an incredible relief.  This is not to say that I still don't have my moments of thinking "gee a cigarette would taste good right about now."  Or that I do not still enjoy the scent of a freshly lit cigarette.  But that gut ache, that empty unsatisfied, unremitting 'wanting' is gone.

Hang in, hold on, stay true to you 'til you experience that of which we speak!  Then you'll be flying free.

[SimplySheri]

This time was so different for me because I finally understood that once I put them down, I could never have another one...ever.  So I gave myself a whole week-end to **tch and moan about it.  Then I got on with life.  Doesn't mean I immediately quit thinking about smoking, but I could go days without those thoughts because I planned well.  I kept busy with things I loved to do.  So busy that those wretched little smoking thoughts had no room in my busy little mind.

In other words, I worked on my addictive behaviors and thoughts even before I physical quit.  It helped.  I was thrilled and the rest is history.....

btw.....I have this hate/hate relationship with numbers so I don't know at what number I didn't think of smoking anymore.  I have to see my number here on Ex to know how many days I have quit.  It's this thing about numbers and my right-sided brain, I think....

[shashort]

Yes I know you all keep saying it will get better.  Still holding onto that promise as I do believe all you elders.  I do have a lot more better days though.  Hmm  still not at the point where I can look at cigarettes or be around smokers and not want one.  Oh yeah Giulia smelling the fresh lit cigarette still really makes me wish I could have one. Not giving in still want to scream at times but  I BELEIVE  AND KEEP BELIEVING.  Thanks Dale

[Eric_L.]

Thanks Dale.

[Daniela2016]

That smell of fresh lit cigarette, I still enjoy it, but not tempted to smoke one myself.

Hanging out with smoking co-workers for 5 min, a smoking person on the street, smoking coming out of an open car window, are all reminders, still pleasant, but no longer tempting.

Stressing situations are the ones bringing the desire to smoke back in force sometimes, but since I don't do that anymore, I let it be, and go on with my life.

177DOF

[JonesCarpeDiem]

Outside. I still enjoy it when it isn't in my face making my eyes water.

You can't change what smells good to you.

Inside? Never.

On peoples clothes? Never

Melted butter smells good but you won't catch me trying to light it up and inhale it.  🙂

[Legend]

I am so glad it all got better for me or I would have gone insane staying quit.   

[Pops]

Thanks Dale. That makes me feel pretty good as my own quit days are paralleling yours. Yesterday I went out to the garage to polish the bike. After digging through some old bags of supplies, low and behold was a brand new cigar (the brand I used to occasionally smoke) laying in the bottom of the bag. I just looked at it and laughed. Then I walked straight to the dumpster and threw it away. As I was walking back to the garage I thought to myself, I never craved at all. It was automatic to get rid of it right away. Thanks to the community for that gift. Pops

[Daniela2016]

And so I found a single use e-cigarette on my dresser the other day.  I was taking them with me on my overseas flights...not anymore, it met the garbage bin seconds after I found it.

[SkyGirl]

Yes!  For me, the not-thinking-about-smoking thing happened in "fits & starts".  Because when I DID think about smoking, was when I realized that I HADN'T been thinking about smoking.  Does that make any sense?  But as the days turned into weeks, my thoughts became fewer and fewer.  I think my personal celebration regarding smoking thoughts happened when I walked past a group of smokers outside the Portland airport and I realized that I had gone several whole days without a thought.  I remember that it felt like letting go of the string of a balloon when I realized that I never had to think about lighting up ever again!  What an epiphany!

[elvan]

It is such a delight to realize that you did not think of smoking when something stressful happened or when you would normally have reached for a smoke.  It is empowering.  I cannot remember at what point in my quit that happened but I can remember clearly that it was after working with someone who was not pulling her weight and was causing me more and more difficulty at work.  I am so glad that day came and showed me who I could be and how I could be a nonsmoker!

[MarilynH]

Thank you Dale 🙂