Don't know where to start or who to respond to first. I'm reading so many discussions this morning of everyone's struggles with life and attempting not to smoke as a result of what life is throwing at us. I can associate with much of what everyone is saying. But the underlying message is that we can live on life's terms with out feeding out addiction, no matter what that addiction may be. I'm only 16 days smoke free and have attempted numerous times to quit. It is a daily struggle not to smoke when we're trying deal with ongoing issues in our lives and when those unexpected stressers hit you in the face when you least expect it. And then there are those cigarettes I also used to reward my self. Not sure which I miss the most.
Wishing all of us success on this journey.
Did you read Allen Carr? If not - get to it. When you do, you will understand that all you thought smoking did for you was a lie. It gave you a temporary hit of dopamine ---- which quickly became a never ending demand for MORE. It did not help with stress - it added to it. You can get dopamine in healthy ways - exercising, sex, a bit of chocolate, singing out loud, playing a musical instrument.
What you seem to be having struggles with are the trigger and associations. Make NEW ones. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand, find yourself a NEW reward when you finish a task. You need to change things up to reduce the associations. If you always relaxed after a chore in a certain place - do it someplace else. If you smoked on your deck, rearrange the furniture, add a pretty pillow on the chair, put some plants around when it's warm enough.
Smoking does nothing for you, and so much TO you. Stop romanticizing it. It is NOT your friend!
Nancy