How bad is it?

Discussion created by gregp136 on Mar 30, 2017
Latest reply on Mar 31, 2017 by dwwms

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Okay, so the urge hits. This is a medium one. It can be hard to describe. Is it a hunger, a wanting? And how close does it bring me to breaking down and smoking? More than yesterday? Less?

So I ask myself these questions, and I realize the very worst urge has yet to be that bad. If I had a choice between one urge, and one shot in the gums at the dentist to deliver Novocaine, I would pick the urge in a minute. So what makes quitting so hard?

Tomorrow makes quitting hard.

When the dentist comes at me with that needle, I know it will be over it one minute.

But when I have my urge, my desire, I foolishly ask myself :

When will this end?

Will I feel this way tomorrow?

Will it be worse?

How long can I hold out?

Really, 30 days?

60?

Can I really hold out?

So my struggle is not with the "Nicotine free rushes", it is with my fears and doubts. I need to enjoy the fact I am smoke free today! The rest will take care of itself!

Greg

Outcomes

22 Replies

RachelMB Mar 30, 2017 1:35 PM
Greg-
You're doing such an amazing job! I used to think that there was no way that I would make it a week, a month, 2 months, etc. We have all been there. Remember the reasons that you are doing this and they will pull you through the rough moments.

Rachel
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freeneasy Mar 30, 2017 1:40 PM
You only have to be concerned with today with your quit.Just don't smoke today Tomorrow will come soon enough. You will have another day of not smoking behind you and you don't want tomorrow to be like the day before you quit so you do what you did today.
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elvan Mar 30, 2017 2:02 PM
One day at a time is plenty...you CAN do this. You ARE doing this and you are doing it with great humor and one of the best quittitudes I have ever seen! Just keep going one step at a time...no one knows what tomorrow is going to bring, all we can do is live in today.
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Mike.n.Atlanta Mar 30, 2017 2:12 PM
One day at a time, one craving at a time.
Keep on keepin on,
M n @
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Mar 30, 2017 4:14 PM
All good advice above. Some days you will need to take this a minute at a time..but get through that minute and then the next and get busy ---- and then you will notice 15 have passed.
Day by day it gets closer to being easier. Just let it happen - I promise it will.
Nancy
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gregp136 Mar 30, 2017 4:41 PM
It seems that writing down my thoughts on here is the best way to avoid temptation!
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kristen-9.7.15 Mar 30, 2017 5:39 PM
Reading your blog made me remember when I would smoke right after the dentist and having Novocain. I could barely hold the cigarrette between my lips cuz they were so numb. But the addict in me made it work. Lol..

You're doing awesome! It does get easier.
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- BonnieBee.quit.2.8.15 @ kristen-9.7.15 on Mar 30, 2017 9:22 PM
  Hahaha that is funny i did that too the addict could not wait !
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Marilyn.H.July.14.14. Mar 30, 2017 5:51 PM
One precious smoke free day at a time, one minute or even one precious second at a time will get you through to the evenings where you'll be smiling because of another Day WON! N.O.P.E - Not One Puff Ever will give you a beautiful smoke free life and you are doing super fantastic.gregp136
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TerrieQuit Mar 30, 2017 6:22 PM
Greg, you are doing great! One day before you know it you will start to say how many days you have and you will have to look at the calendar to know for sure! I promise! Stay strong and please, keep sharing your sense of humor! It's great! ~Terrie~
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Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 Mar 30, 2017 7:10 PM
You can hold on - look at the elders list - each and everyone of us did it and I may be wrong, but I think that you are stubborn enough to not let any of us out-do you!

Elders List
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Daniela-3-11-2016 Mar 30, 2017 7:12 PM
Enjoy every crave, be happy you get it, you are an EX! Enjoy every minute with your wife, just think how happy you made her by quitting!
Laugh at your cravings or open your laptop and chose a free meditation session on youtube. The first portion of every session, the deep breathing got me over the crave every time I used it. You eventually learn it and practice the breathing wherever you are, it helps you "ride" the crave!
We all picked up new hobbies, as means to occupy our minds and hands, think of stuff you can do in the house or outside. Maybe a new activity/game with your partner! She will be so happy if she can contribute to your success, make her part of it!
Maybe go dancing sometimes?

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Mandolinrain Mar 30, 2017 7:14 PM
Good Blog!
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jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 Mar 30, 2017 7:45 PM
My momma told me to turn my head. I guess that doesn't work at the dentist. :-)
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Thomas3.20.2010 Mar 30, 2017 7:48 PM
You're having so many insights, Greg! Keep processing, keep healing, keep sharing!
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shashort Mar 30, 2017 8:56 PM
Hi Greg you are doing great hang in there YOU CAN DO THIS! When a crave hits caan you go for a brisk walk? Exercise always helped me. I also carried ice water in water bottle with straw and practiced slow deep breathes helps with craves too. Stay strong and say NOPE!!!
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BonnieBee.quit.2.8.15 Mar 30, 2017 9:28 PM
Hey Greg "One day at a time " is the best policy and if you want to think ahead a bit think of how great you will feel when this part of the quit is behind you ......this to shall pass !
When you are in doubt think of all of us on Ex that already know time is a healer and it will not get worse sure there will be times ahead that may test you but the hardest part is almost behind you keep your eye on the mountain top ! I can't wait 'til you get there !!! I know you will Greg !!!
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Giulia Mar 31, 2017 12:35 AM
When I quit the last time I had made such a commitment to it that it didn't matter to me how I'd feel tomorrow or in a week or six months. I was in it for a long as it would take to get through it. I accepted the choice I had made. I knew that if I hung in long enough I would not crave cigarettes all day every day. I didn't know WHEN things would change, but I trusted that the longer I stayed away from my old smoking self, the less I would want a cigarette. And that turned into reality. The new normal comes gradually without fanfare. The fanfare in when you look back and realize how beautifully far you've come! Stay the course. You'll never understand what freedom feels like unless you do.
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dwwms Mar 31, 2017 8:10 AM
Greg,
I have those same thoughts - I try and refocus on just today. I'll worry about tomorrow then. Remember your other conversation - smoking was NEVER my friend.
I have a different perspective because unfortunately, I thought smoking was my friend. I actually like(d) the smell. Of course, now I realize I had to "train" myself to like it. The last time I quit, I broke down when I went to the store and outside the store were a couple of people smoking. I could smell it as soon as I got out of the car and it smelled so good - I left the store with cigarettes in hand.
This past week, I've had a different take - seems when I smell it, I don't like the smell! But then yesterday, when I went past someone smoking, I started entertaining the idea that it wasn't that bad. Quickly, I stopped - you SNEAKY little devil! I breathe again deeply (away from the smoke) and concluded, No, fresh air is much better!
I'm packing that urge away in my knowledge base so when it tries to pull that one on me again - fool me once, shame on you (as it did on my last attempt), fool me twice, shame on me!
You're doing great - I really enjoy reading your thoughts, you got a great sense of humor (which really helps with the attitude), when those thoughts of tomorrow come into your head - just remember it's the little monster talking to you!
Doug
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- jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 @ dwwms on Mar 31, 2017 9:44 AM
  Doug,
  I've been quit over 10 years and I still love the smell outside wafting on the breeze, not right in my face and not inside.
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  - dwwms @ jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007 on Mar 31, 2017 10:11 AM
    Maybe that's the difference - it wasn't right in my face yesterday, whereas, the other day it was. All I know is it was definitely an urge yesterday. I guess everyone is different - my wife cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke & felt that way pretty much after she quit (10+ years ago), then my sister (also at 10 years) said she had to avoid it as much as possible when she quit because she likes the smell. I guess sooner or later, I'll know which group I fall into.
    Part of my reason for sharing that was it seems that whenever you conquer a trigger or urge, the dirty little monster tries to find another avenue! He's still clinging on - doing whatever to wear you down!
    Doug
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JACKIE1-25-15 Mar 31, 2017 8:38 AM
Hold on to this thought. "no urge will kill you like a cigarette will. Makes it easier. No one has died from quitting smoking. Keep up the great job that you are doing. NOPE no matter what... By any means necessary. Will keep you free.
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How bad is it?

Outcomes

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