Hello All, I am pretty sure this question has came up before. It seems there is nothing to look forward to these days since i quit smoking 2 months back. I do work out, watch soccer and cook. but that void left by smoking cant seem to be filled by any other activities. Is that just a phase or am i going to be miserable like this for a long time?
That is just an excuse that the addictive devil is trying to plant in your mind. Life after smoking allowed me to have money, travel without restrictions and go places that I have never been. Save all the money you would have spent on smoking and plan an adventure.... make something to look forward to .... YOU have the power now don't let the little devil control that too.
You are just in the mourning stage of missing your old "friend." Find something HEALTHY to replace him. Find a new hobby. Maybe learn a new skill (stained glass, or kayaking, or biking?) or take a class for a different kind of workout....kick boxing comes to mind. You've got some extra jingle in your pocket - do something new and GOOD for yourself.
This WILL pass, but you need to get busy reinventing your new, healthier life!
Nancy
ranjitthewolf I am not sure how to answer this question because I was so excited with all of the extra time I had to do other things...things that were not trying to kill me. I was thrilled to be able to put some money away because I put away what I would have spent on cigarettes, I figured that no matter how broke I was, I would always find the money to buy cigarettes. You are experiencing FREEDOM not BOREDOM...you can choose any number of ways to fill your time and there is no reason that you need to feel bored. There are hobbies, books, movies, new things to learn...you are romanticizing the cigarette, it didn't do anything FOR you...it just does things TO us. We allowed our addiction to do damage to us physically as well as emotionally and psychologically. The world is your oyster, my friend, look for your pearl, it is not inside of a pack of cigarettes.
Ellen
Got to high five you for asking this question. I felt lost without my smokes even though I was the one who called my quit (can there really be any other way?). I was frustrated that I was not happier, feeling more freed from smoking, etc. And I wondered if I was mentally damaged...incapable of accepting life without smoking cigarettes.
I had to work my quit. It didn't come easy. But I quit cold turkey and mostly isolated except for online info and help sites (but not participation sites such as Ex). I wanted to stay quit so I kept trudging. As I look back I did not appreciate nearly enough how much of an addiction smoking is. It takes encouragement, and daily doses of hope/confidence and hard work for some of us quitters. Is that such a terrible course to take?
I've finally worked past the worst of the attachment/addiction, what ugly remains is weak and can be faced and undone one day at a time. Back when I felt miserable, what really made me angry was the thought that I would consign myself to smoking for the rest of my life.
Keep coming back, keep reading, keep looking for solutions. They are there for you to find.
One of the really important things I learned in the Carr book was that by quitting I wasn't giving up anything of importance. That was vital to me - to truly believe it! I had to work at getting my brain to accept it - but, saying it and "faking it until you make it" worked! "Nothing of importance" - keep reminding yourself of that! If your current activities aren't exciting enough - add some more activities! Congrats on your quit!
you're breaking up with your best friend. Here's a great blog right on the subject: The Grief Cycle (You're not going crazy!)
Oh yes, the best friend who keeps trying to kill you... that thought helped me. I was sad but kept asking myself why.... who would call someone who was trying to kill you a friend ... there goes that addictive devil again.
That nicodemon is talking very loud to you. don't listen. you can smoke or you can live. your choice. nicotine only loses if you quit. you only lose if you smoke.
Are you finding anything more to do? Anything that keeps you from feeling bored? No matter what you do...for the sake of your health, please do not smoke. You have come so far.
Ellen
2 months into your quit - you're definitely in No Mans Land. It's a tricky place. I had those same feelings like I was missing an old friend (with friends like that, who needs enemies?!) Those feelings that even though I wasn't really craving a cigarette ... SOMETHING was missing. It will pass - it takes time. If you haven't read about No Mans Land, check out No Mans Land Days 30 to 130 (approximate) or search for it, it will enlighten you on what to expect.
No, it won't last forever, but it probably won't disappear just yet. I was sort of at the point before, wondering the same thing, but it will pass. Hang in there! Blog when you need, and if you're in a bad place blog HELP and somebody will be along to get you through it.
Congratulations on 2 months - that's great!
Doug
Thank you all for your help. I do get the craving once in a while but i do not see myself smoking ever again. I recently noticed my stamina going up every time i run since i quit smoking. Recently i started watching Drugs inc on National geographic and thought to myself how lucky us smokers are. When we quitted, we never had the morning shivers, diarrhea or abscesses on our bodies from years of heroine addictions. For people who says quitting smoking is difficult, they should watch Drugs Inc, Then they will know there are addictions that are even more difficult to quit.
Good morning. You are doing great. Things are going to get so much better you won't believe it. "It takes time. Just give it time."
I was surprised when I quit smoking how bored I was. I mean, really, what was so interesting about lighting a stick of poison on fire and sucking on one end of it?
Nada.
I made a list of all the stuff I "didn't have time to do." Some of it was fun stuff, some of it was more of the mundane chore variety . . . dust the baseboards, anyone? When I found myself not knowing what to do instead of that old stinky, deadly smoking habit, I did something from my list.
Got a few minutes to fill? Make yourself a list.
You are doing great, by the way. Congrats on 2 months!
Congratulations on your 2 months free. Yep I agree there was a time when all the down time got to me. I started walking through my craves and in my begininning months I cleaned things that I have been ignoring because I was always outside smoking. I think my house was one of the cleanest here in Indiana. Start cleaning closets, cabinets, find a hobby to keep you busy. You CAN do this!! I know you don't want another day one.
I think Dale is right. Those activities you participate in are connected your smoking. Find something new in addition to those things you enjoyed in the past.
Keep on keepin on,
M n @
So are you saying that smoking added excitement to your life?
"I do work out, watch soccer and cook"
So did you do these things as a smoker?
If so, smoking is connected to them and they are a reminder you aren't smoking.
Find something you've never done before, something you always wanted to do instead of thinking smoking made life exciting.
Smoking was just what you were used to.