Hi Cherie,
Do you know, I too am struggling today, feeling really down..... You know we can beat this, tomorrow is another day. Don't give up just yet you have worked hard to get this far. NOPE
Lets do it!
Viv
Thanks to Cherie & Donna, your posts have inspired me. I wondered if I was really mentally disturbed this week. I mean more than usual. One minute I think all the positives of non-smoking. Then I think how much I miss & need a cigarette. Only to stop & ask myself to remember why I am stopping. So feel very confused! Wanting a smoke just makes no sense. In anger & frustration I think I must be insane. My thoughts just don't make sense.
This is why you have helped me. We all have issues to deal with and we know we are not alone in this battle. It's comforting to know this and as such we have a responsibility to each other. We will succeed! There is no way back, we CAN DO THIS! :-).
So lets move forward with week 5
Interesting! My reluctance to get involved relates to the difficulty I have in understanding the way these things work. I have for instance found this posting simply because it was the last posting.
I agree that the links made here provide great support and if sustained will help to bring us success. During the past five weeks that have have been coming here it seems to have got quieter. I have been getting the impression that I am one of just a handful of people at the beginning of their quit with a handful of successful old timers who keep encouraging us on. So if you have any tips on how to use this better, let me know.
Having re read the previous comments on this thread I think I'm getting it now.. Talk on here and not to yourself in your blog or daily checklist! Is that right?
Oh! I was getting a little worried, not hearing from you Cherie. But so pleased to know that you are still sticking at it.
Overall I feel the " head games" are the worst part of this quest! I thought I must be really disturbed a week or so back. However this past week I have been extra busy, yet whilst I had difficult things to deal with at least I had some peace from negative thoughts around smoking.
Like you Cherie, in times of real need, i repeat the promise not to smoke & so far this is working.
So great for you, over 40 days smoke free! BRILLIANT!,!
Viv
It's interesting to look at these stages of change.Particularly now that I am in the final stage of maintenance I can see the previous stages very clearly. Yet in those earlier stages the margines become blurred. I felt so anxious between contemplation and preparation. The fear being that I may never take that step forward but just slip back. In fact that's exactly what I did so many times. Back to the comfort zone of pre-contemplation. Back to becoming a social outcast! Standing outside workplaces,parties, family members homes, pubs, weddings, getting my fix of nicotine that very quickly ran out leaving me craving for another.
I feel looking back just ten weeks ago when I was in the preparation stage that it was really important to get that right. A number of things did not work out, my date for stopping was put back by fourteen days. At last I took the step. Yes it is quite a shock to make such a drastic change. I feel we have to have strategies in place to cope with this in the early stages in order to stick with it. Things to do in times of stress.
I have found that I have needed more time on my own to think. I needed time with myself to reason and recognise that the physical craving was very soon over the biggest problem was my mind telling me that I really must have a smoke. Yet when I imagined actually doing just that I recalled how it had been some years since I really enjoyed the experience.
It has been a real asset for me to come on here as often as I can and more especially at times of stress to read others comments. It's great to know that there are others out there trying just as hard to win this battle.
It is also great to know that many are old hands at it, yet still recognise the need to be vigilant themselves whilst offering support to us learners.
There are lots of words of wisdom here so I keep coming back for more.
Nonic
Anxiety and depression has knocked me off course. Having taken my eyes off the prize I have been using depression as a hiding place and reason to give in to the demon.
I have read this string over and over again. Thankfully I found it in time. So I am going to stay as focused as I can and keep building on these days of freedom from!
Viv
Laniey
Some good reminders there. Some hellish mental battles going on in my head. Thankfully I'm still free and sticking with it! Depression has been taking hold so I will try to get some vitamin B complex. Anything is worth trying.
Thanks
Viv
I will not smoke today!
I am feeling very relieved to find myself still visiting here daily. Some days I have not been able to write as my thoughts & feelings were too negative.
Sometimes I couldn't see through the tears. Tears, prompted by the effort and concern shown by others here! You don't always read what you want to hear, but every time I have found something to cling on to.
Often the most basic things, such as take it one day at a time. It's amazing how when we become really depressed or anxious the simple plans & rules fly out of the window because we are pre-occupied with the wrong thing.
Today, I have moved on a little. I am very grateful to all who helped me return here today. I have been busy in my garden tidying up and planning for the year ahead. Half way through week seven and lots of jobs to do inside and out. Some big decisions will have to be made, in respect of other aspects in my life and I am going to have to learn to deal with such things as a non-smoker.
Thanks folks
I have not smoked today!
I do not plan on smoking tomorrow!
I am here to congratulate myself on my fiftieth day of abstinence.
I have been waiting for this day to arrive. It sounds impressive, doesn't it!
However, it won't stop me coming back next week proclaiming how amazing it is to reach two months. (I hope)
I will not smoke today! I am taking a very deep breath, now that I can and continue making progress.
Viv
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