Slowing Down
I have started the process in quitting. I used to smoke about 15 rollies a day. I have started using patches and chewing gum. So story so far is that I have two cigs in the morning. Then after about 9 am I stop smoking. I can go all day during work and not have a single puff. I get home at around 6pm. I would have then have another cig after dinner and then one more just before i go to bed. So that's 4 cigarettes a day. The strange thing is that I can go without cigarettes during the day even in my most stressful periods. It is the boredom when I get home that really gets to me. I associate relaxation with cigarettes which is going to be difficult for me. After a couple of weeks I'm going to try and tackle the night ritual. Then another month or so I'm going to tackle the morning ritual. I do realise the fact that by smoking in the mornings and night I am stepping back into that cycle.
Hi blackboy. Have you just joined and posted or had a chance to look around? Reading the posts and stories here, and just as importantly the comments in reply are very educational in your quest to quit smoking. Read and be inspired. I think that is what motivated me, was seeing success....and believing then that I could do it too. Please read my response to Myf, who just posted as well. I don't know why people insist on making it harder than it is, and harder on there bodies to boot.
Until you are at one in the mind you will find it difficult. Learning the mindset makes it so much easier and not only easier, but sustainable. If you simply use willpower, many get past the nicotine addiction which is just 20% of the problem. The 80% which is psychological or habitual needs to be addressed with change of habits, and replacing the old one with a good one. Find something to do if you are bored. Is there something you wanted to do if you only had the money to do it? Buy a guitar and learn how to play it. Learning raises our dopamine like nicotine did because we thought it gave us pleasure. Research dopamine, you are so bored...... learn how nicotine hi-jacked your brain. Understand that smoking has never done anything for you. Know that a craving is simply a thought. Come to believe that you too can beat this addiction.
I think you will come to the conclusion that what you are doing at present is a waste of time, money and effort. Do it the right way and be rewarded instead of tormented.
You seem to have a plan blackboy, which is always a good thing and lets you have control for a while, this stops any anxiety and it sure helped me to have a plan in place.
You have worked out your weakest point, and this is where you need to practice your deep breathing a whole lot more, while doing something you love to do in the evening, you can try various things and this will keep your mind occupied. When you find the one or when you have narrowed down your list, then you can practice this new found exiting topic to delve in to. Create happiness in your mind, before you get home, this should help you further. You don't say how long you have been implementing your plan or when your quit day is. You need a Quit Day first and foremost.
Softly is so right about setting a quit date, but please make it sooner than what your plan outlines. I apologize that I may have sounded harsh, but i hate to see people drag things out unnecessarily and suffer while accomplishing nothing. It is good that you have found the self control and willpower to put having a cigarette off for hours, but you are getting nicotine through the patch. That is my beef with nrt's.... why not take enough to be comfortable and not smoke until the 80% psychological has been addressed? Wouldn't it make the whole process easier if we just slapped a patch on and went about our lives". After 21 days ( The time for habits to take hold) we should feel normal without the act of smoking. We would have had the time to read here and educate ourselves on nicotine and come to be thankful that we made the right choice. Then we can be happy and secure knowing that most of the journey is behind and now we just rip off the patch and it will be over in about 72 hours.
Wishing you all the best blackboy. I know you can do this.
You sound like you're doing really well! I would love to be smoking only 4 cigarettes a day! Best of luck with cutting them down! I associate cigarettes with relaxation too! Isn't it so hard?
The problem with cutting them down is that once you get down to an uncomfortable 3 or 4 , when you are waiting for the "time" that is all you think about. Then you idolize the cigarette even more for ending the misery that in reality it caused. This "missing my friend " feeling will only be harder to break in the future. Please learn about nicotine and detest it. Embrace the journey. Truly find the motivation to end the relationship.
Are you even smoking so that you resent doing so?
No one has yet said that they ever regretted quitting smoking. Think positve!
Yeah every time I have a cigarette now I get the thought that I have undone all the work i've done in the past 18 hrs. I feel regret and fall into a mini depression even though I'm having a cig it gives me about 2 seconds of joy and now I'm thinking what am I even doing this for. It literally tastes like poison too. My will power is becoming stronger and stronger. Thank you for all your comments.
Take the time to read Allen Carr's book (free) no computer skills necessary....just click on my name her andfind the story with his name. That is the single most valuable piece of advice i can give. You are already here with us on a great , caring and
Take the time to read Allen Carr's book (free) no computer skills necessary....just click on my name here and find the story with his name. That is the single most valuable piece of advice i can give. You are already here with us on a great , caring and supportive forum so you are way ahead of thousands who also wish that they can be free. Once understanding nicotine, the addiction and you, you will be well on your way. With a belief in yourself and a positive attitude you can do this.