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Hi All,
This will be my first post in this forum (although I have lurked for a while). I started smoking 13 years ago, quit at 7am this morning.
I've tried to quit more times than I care to remember, always fall down when it comes time to go to the corner shop - "I'll just buy 10 and then if it gets really bad I'll just have one. What harm can one do, technically I'm still quiting". And on it goes from there, until I'm back on 20 a day.
I'm using patches, as they seem to have the best effect on my cravings. And being plain stubborn. I have also stocked up on milk and bread - what usually draws me to the corner shop, so no need to go there for a while.
I read in one of the other threads exactly what I am spending a month and that has shocked me. I've decided to put the money I would normally spend on cigarettes in a jar. And I will be tough, one cigareete and I have to empty the jar - so no reward.
I will do it this time. I really want a cigarette, but I won't have one. This will get easier. Right?
one of the best ways ruby, putting money in a jar, thats what i did, soon mounts up....yes once you have a sneekie....its over...back to 20 within days:cry: so keep it up...well done.. & good luck,it does get easier...
Thanks. Well I made it through today. I seem to go from "this really isn't all that bad" to "oh my god, I ama diluted scene from Trainspotting, although there is a distict absence of chicken soup!"
Hmm, maybe I should get some in, although that would require going to the corner shop - so maybe not right now.
This is where the mind comes in. When you had these 'this really isn't all that bad' moments, had you been doing something? and were the 'omg' during quiet times? (sitting on the loo is classed as a quite time).
If so, then you know that you must keep your mind on something else, take a newspaper to the loo, have something on the side ready to grab to take your mind off it.
Cracking the first couple of days is the worst, but you can do it by keep telling yourself, "I don't need one" and "money, holiday, money, new shoes".
Please, if you should crack, don't be too embarrased to come and tell us.
Thankfully sitting on the loo is never a quite experience in my house - someone always has an emergency that need my attention and can't wait a second longer.
The thing I am struggling with is just after my "hmm this isn't SO bad" I have a moment where I think "oh I'll have a cigarette now", just like any other day when I wasn't trying to quit. For just a few seconds it catches me off guard, I've even reached for a cigarette box that isn't there. How bad is that? This morning I was taking my son to school and suddenly thought "oh no, did I put my cigarettes in my handbag?" then I realised I was quitting and it felt good to no have to panic or go back home.
I let my son screw up my box of cigarettes this morning. He's wanted me to quit of a while and the look on his face when he did is one I am trying to hold on to. Also it meant that I didn't have that safety net for when things got "Too bad". And I was so busy tidying up that I managed to throw the rubbish bag away without realising what was in there.
So I guess it is swings and roundabouts, and will be for a while. I just have to tell the voice inside my head no and find something else to occupy my mind. As sad as this may sound i am proud of myself, I faced three situations today which have been instrumental in my relapsing before, and I didn't falter.
Now if I can crack going to the corner-shop then the sky's the limit. One thing at a time though, no need to rush. Got plenty of milk...
Got through day two!
My mind feel a complete mess, like I'm losing the plot a bit. Concentrating is almost impossible at times. But I did get a fair amount of work done, and a fair few of the jobs I've been putting off for ages.
Still not gone near a cornershop. Brought petrol from a garage that let's you pay at the pump, just don't trust myself.
Still got plenty of milk! So I'll be ok for a couple more days!
I'm not far off from 2 weeks in now and it does get easier. My first few days were really really tough, but I feel great now that I've got through them.
Yes, the patches are helping with the cravings. Sleeping and concentrating are really hard, not sure if that's the not smoking or the patches. But then again, there are some really positive physical changes that have already shown themselves.
I suppose the hardest thing is the mental side. My brain hasn't broken the habit and I find myself thinking "I havee one now" and then I end up reaching for cigarettes that aren't there. That's hard. Part of me feels like its Christmas morning and someone's taken away my pressies. The rest of the time I feel kind of lost.
But I have already saved £20, my house smells gorgeous and my son hasn't stopped grinning at me (the first thing he says when he comes out of school is "How was your day, did you smoke Mum?", when I say no his face lights up).
I can't wait to get to the two week mark, everyone seems to say it's easier by then (and I'll have £77 in the jar!). It amazes me how much money I've spent smoking. I can't think of any situation where I would be happy to pull a note out of my purse and watch it go up in smoke on a daily basis!
I had the sleeping problem aswell. I couldn't 'switch off' because I just constantly had cravings It wasn't too long before that faded and sleeping got back to normal, so keep going, it will get easier
I even tried carrot sticks aswell when in my first few days. Well, it was less of a stick and more a whole raw carrot. Because I used to smoke in my kitchen so I felt constantly drawn there every ad break of the soaps, so I'd go to the kitchen as normal but eat a raw carrot. I soon got out of that habbit!!!
You're making your Son very proud of you, so keep going, keep reminding yourself of all the positives!
Day 5, and I have been hit with the mother of all cravings this morning. I'm trying to see it as if I have hit a wall, I've got to get over it and things will be better on the other side - it had better be.
Amazing to have done this to my body and either be completely ignorant or just clueless to it.
HappyFeet - hope all is going well. Did you get the pataches in the end?
you don't really want one, all that stinky horrible smoke, it tastes horrible, all that poison, urghh! have a raw carrot
I didn't get the patches in the end, I went (and still am) cold turkey. Some days I wish I had got the patches but when a craving passes It boosts my confidence.
Every day makes me feel so much better, I don't smell, I can breath, everythings fresh, and I'm not risking my life anymore. It isn't easy but everyday is a step closer to beating it
Oh, another thing I did, and if you've read my thread you'll see that I use shock tactics to help me, it's not a nice thing and maybe not for everybody because it can be a sensitive subject. But I've kept old packets that have the pictures on them of the damage it can do and when I get a really strong craving then I look at the pictures and it still shocks me everytime, so much so, that the craving passes quite quickly.
Hi keep it going I have now been off fags for 18 years and yes it was hard but now I am running a new car every 5 years not a second hand banger that's what I use the money on I save. Think of a luxury that you would love (not just something for the house) and keep thinking of that.
Day two for me done this so many times lost count but i will win this time day 3 and week 3 are always my weak points but at least i know what to expect. Come on it can only get better you can do this and remember you will only be letting yourself and your kids down if you pick one up think of your health the money and your kids (if you have any) and good luck !!!
Newbie in withdrawl...
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Re: Newbie in withdrawl...
soon mounts up....yes once you have a sneekie....its over...back to 20 within days:cry: so keep it up...well done.. & good luck,it does get easier...
Re: Newbie in withdrawl...
. The rest of the time I feel kind of lost.
It wasn't too long before that faded and sleeping got back to normal, so keep going, it will get easier
