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Tired of Stumbling, Quitting in a Few Days

5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 175

Hi QFG

Thanks for posting about your journey as lm also in early quitting phases and its great to see what others experiences are. Well actually lve been quitting for the last 2 weeks but lm still smoking...ironic huh? Its just that l cant seem to make it stick. For me it's mostly a feeling of depression thats making me give in. You said that you have beat addictions in the past. Dont forget to apply the same strategies to quitting smokes. Thats what l keep thinking about success lve had with other addictions in the past.

Way to go, keep up the good work!

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 796

Hi QuittingForGood,

You're doing great, keep it up! The days are getting easier, but like you said, you need to stay vigilant. Those urges can creep up on you from the most unexpected places and times. Always keep your guard up.

Those previous failed attempts gave you more resolve, and you did actually learn some things from them. Good for you! Now just keep taking it one day at a time. The days are going to add up quicker than you think. Soon you'll have a whole week in your bank of being a nonsmoker. Seven days is not really a small goal either, it's HUGE. On your first day you didn't know if you'd even make it through the day. Now look at you. And the quit journey continues. When you make seven days you will need to reward yourself for making your first goal, and write another goal on your desk. Don't remove that first goal though, keep it there to remind yourself that YES I CAN DO THIS!!!

Keep on avoiding those situations where you might be tempted, or might not be in control of yourself if you know what I mean.

Stay strong and keeps us posted on your progress. It not only helps you to"strut your stuff and make you feel good inside" but it also gives the new quitters, and those thinking about quitting, some confidence on starting their journey too.

Not One Puff Ever

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Stay safe & Strong.

Not One Puff Ever (NOPE)

Tim

5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

A fairly pleasant day 4 draws to a close.

Days one and two were very uncomfortable, but the last two haven't been that bad. While I was committed, the doom and gloom of the initial quit had me thinking I was going to want a cigarette, foorrreeevvveeerr - two days later, not so much, haha. Much of today actually passed without my fixating on smoking, which is an interesting contrast to a few weeks ago when I cracked on day 4 because I couldn't think of anything else other than the inevitability of me smoking. Not this time :) Thanks to a fresh restart and learning from prior attempts, I believe I CAN do this.

Feeling good about it but just going to stay very vigilant. Not going out this weekend and for the moment will avoid some other settings as well.

Another error on previous attempts I believe was minimizing the whole thing. As if, even though it's something I've been doing every single day, twenty to forty times a day, for fifteen years, I'm over it in a week no problem...

Gonna keep setting small goals as we progress through here. My first, written out on my desk, is don't smoke for 7 days.

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 180

Hi QFG! I had the same experience in all of my quits - the mornings were the easiest part to get a hold of, and they were also the most magical in terms of my gratitude and exuberance regarding how it felt to NOT be smoking. I would remember those thoughts and feelings during times when I felt like smoking - how awesome it felt for a few minutes to feel free of it. I looked back in my quit thread here, and it looks like I also went through a period of depression that coincided with my quit. I actually used it to my advantage, haha - I was too depressed to bother going out to buy smokes, so it must have been a pretty severe brain upset. Plus I knew if I smoked I would then have two problems instead of one. Complain or gripe all you want here if it helps, I promise I'll read it! A positive mindset is the best tool to have, but if that's not available on any given day then vent it out and borrow someone else's positivity. I seem to have it in abundance right now so I'm willing to give it away :) Humans are pack animals and designed to support one another.

5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

They are all quite normal bodily reactions to your quit. You are withdrawing!!

I'm sorry to say you just have to tough it out and go through it but it won't last. The fog will clear slowly and you will improve day by day.

Stay in the moment, do not smoke, distract yourself with something a little less cigarette inducing than a confusing plumbing project!! Go running, go swimming, suck on a straw, drink copious amounts of iced water, eat for your country - just don't smoke!! Hang on in there even at the darkest times.

You know that wonderful feeling when you wake in the morning and you realise that didn't smoke yesterday? Well, that feeling gets even better when those mornings become days 2,3,4,5,6...………..

Keep on keeping on

Penitent

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

Hey gang,

Day 2. I'm not going to smoke, but I'm feeling like a mess. Feeling very tired, complete lack of focus and attention, and fairly negative for some reason today.

I keep telling myself, however, that it doesn't matter how good or bad it goes, because I'm not going to smoke.

Yesterday, especially the morning was easier, lol. I was so grateful to not be smoking when I woke up, and in such a good mood, that all morning I was thinking this is going to be the easiest quit yet.

Last night hunger, restlessness, and irritation set in big time. I made it through, though. And maybe my DIY plumbing project was not a good idea to pass the time as I seem to be getting exceedingly pissed off at everything.

Going to run today, but canceled other plans because I just can't seem to focus on anything in front of me. Can't remember what I did 5 minutes ago or had just planned to do 5 minutes from now.

So it's just the detox/withdrawal phase. I know, I will keep moving and this will go away, just trying to keep the attitude up though.

I also have several fairly stressful life situations going on too right now, and that doesn't help, and maybe the time was not ideal, but smoking definitely wasn't helping any of that.

Thanks y'all.

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Days: 281 Hours: 3

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 180

The menial tasks thing is a really great quitting tool. I used knitting at home or mindless busy-work at work to occupy the time. The absolute worst thing I ever did in my quit attempts was dig in to the smoking thoughts and set up shop. I would wade in, roll around, and panic. Conversely, the best thing I ever did was learn how to immediately dismiss any and all thoughts that encouraged smoking, and get busy doing something else. I really found that minimizing what smoking "meant" to me was helpful. As was reading here about the first few weeks of other folks' quit, to see that I was simply passing through normal phases. My addiction wanted me to believe that I was in trouble, that depression and restlessness and whatever else was going to be too much to handle. Once I could see it as a temporary bit of weather I was passing through and nothing more, I could detach from it more easily. Sunny skies lay ahead, trust me. I also reminded myself repeatedly that I was sick of quitting. I didn't want to do it anymore, and the only way to not have to do it anymore was to stick with it this time. I look forward to your posts, I am on here pretty often :)

5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 2534

Good Decision QFG!!

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself; continuing to smoke, one of the worst!

You post here as often as you feel it necessary – every 15 minutes if it helps you quit!! In my early days here I practically lived on the boards! It certainly helped me. In fact, without this site, I am pretty sure that I would still be smoking today!!

Now, accept in your brain that quitting smoking, for most people, is no easy ride. Assume that you are “most people”. It takes guts and determination to achieve your goal and you must want to quit so much more than you want to smoke. If that mind-set is reversed, you will fail, believe me.

And do not indulge in mind games, “Hey, I’ve done well, just one won’t hurt” It will. When you quit, you quit for good! But don’t look at it like that, it will drive you mad and it will beat you up emotionally, threatening your quit. Quit just for today, that’s all, and in the early days when the cravings are at their worst quit for just an hour or for just 15 minutes until those nasty cravings pass, and they will. Do not succumb.

Remember, every day without a cigarette you get stronger and old “Nicodemon” gets weaker and weaker. Remember that during the difficult times.

You are winning from the moment you decide to quit but you must be serious about ending this awful addiction – no wavering and definitely “Not One Puff Ever”

It’s there for you QFG, if you want it. Do you want it? Do you really want it? Well take it and don’t look back.

You can do this.

Good Luck

Penitent

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 14

Hey Tim,

Thanks for the encouragement! It's good to know I'm not alone in the pre-quitting anxiety, and I'll keep scrolling these forums as we move along, I found some real gems last night that I copied and pasted out of here onto a printable doc, lol.

So, turns out I didn't want to wait until Thursday either. Tomorrow is the day (just an ordinary day, right StellaBlue) where I'm going to stop smoking.

I truly appreciate the help that you two have offered and it's meant a whole lot already just even as I've mentally prepared. I'm going to just continue using this thread and giving updates here. My goal for the first few days is to post at the end of the day (or in a real bind I'll post as I'm going through it).

Last few attempts have been frustrating, but with such strong and encouraging examples I actually believe I can do this (despite being a little short of certainty).

I've experienced the first few days now several times this month, and I have plans in place to keep busy. My mind ends up just being so useless. I can't focus or concentrate, can't seem to really do anything that requires mental work. A vague boredom and depression sets in and the whole self-pity train. Manual/menial labor is great for this purpose though, as it helps pass the time.

I'm also committed to entirely avoiding situations that I think will be problematic. Not going to hang out with a certain lady this weekend (she's a smoker), and not planning on doing any drinking for the foreseeable future - not worth the risk.

Truly, I just know some of the mental battle that is coming. Days 3-5 have been very difficult. The whole **** it attitude sets in and my mind says 'drive to the store and buy a pack right this instant!,' and it really seems that easy and not that big of a deal, 'you can quit again next week, no big deal.' That thought process comes with such intensity that I give in just to end it. I'm just so tired of it. I'm tired of the shame, remorse, and extreme financial pressure this habit exerts on my life, and in exchange for... killing myself very slowly, that's right.

I will be running. I know this isn't a running thread, but in the fashion I do most things, I'll probably do it obsessively, and probably comment on that as part of what's helping me along the journey. Interestingly already, had I not somehow totally committed to this half marathon, I'm not sure I'd be here trying to quit again. I guess it's already helping.

Again, thanks in advance guys for your help and support. Not exactly sure of the moment I'll be needing it, but I anticipate there will be one.

Cheers to freedom!

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5 years ago 0 +0 / -0 796

Hi QuittingForGood,

Like StellaBlue said, welcome to the site.

Only fear I have is really in my ability to commit. Isn't that the truth! It's scary to think about the difficulties and unknowns that lay ahead on your quit journey. I see that you have started going through the "my program" and that's good. There is some good information in there that can help you on your journey. There's also a TON of great information hidden in these forums about what to expect and tips on how to deal with it. It's different for everybody so what worked for me and them may not work for you. We each have to find our own path to follow to the freedom that awaits us.

I'm training to do a half marathon on Oct. 20. Wow... good luck on your marathon. Wish I had the stamina to do that.

Maybe every time you get an urge to smoke, you should go run a mile. You know all the urges you will be getting by your past attempts. You should be fit and thin by then and ready to go. What a motivation!

Keep us posted on your progress, and I wish you the best on this attempt.

Stay strong.

Not One Puff Ever

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$23,262.25

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Days: 774 Hours: 2

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Stay safe & Strong.

Not One Puff Ever (NOPE)

Tim

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Tired of Stumbling, Quitting in a Few Days