Day 20
Day 20- I can't begin to explain how volatile my first twenty days were. Even though I am committed to never having another puff, the cravings literally brought me to my knees. I had to pull back figure out what was going on in my head. Since I am wearing a patch, I doubt if these as are much physical cravings as emotional. It truly is an addiction. When I found an article that explained the quitting an addiction, in this case cigarettes, begins a grieving process. The time this takes is different for each person, but the process remains the same. I have gotten to Acceptance, and that is a good place to be. The Anger, not so much. I am really a laid back person, but realized I was stuffing my feelings. If I got ticked, I would grab a cigarette. I no longer have that option, so I had a whole bunch of feelings that bubbled up and had to get dealt with.
Now I am doing my daily affirmations, giving myself permission to take naps, drink lots of water and juices.
I didn't know that nicotine releases the same chemicals in your body as sugar, which explains why people seek sweets. I keep bags of veggies chopped and ready to go. Crunchy carrots and celery and pea pods. That helps,
I went to a social outing yesterday. It was the first time I announced in public that I had quit smoking. Whew!! Of course it was the first social outing in quite awhile also.
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —”
― William Arthur Ward
I am thankful I am alive, and am looking forward to the future. I thank each of you for your comments and encouragement.
It is the toughest thing I have ever quit.I stopped drinking over 5 years ago and it was not this difficult!! It does get easier though and you have a lovely outlook of gratitude that will definitely help you through 😊
Yes the first few weeks are 1 big rollercoaster ride....once you work out how to beat that demon in your head the road dosnt seem to have as many twitsts In it, more like the road is beginning to straightn with the odd CURVE thrown in along the track to test the waters so to speak...
Congratulations on your 20 days. It is indeed a roller coaster and I reckon it's going to be a roller coaster for quite some time. But I do know that every time you resist one of those cravings the little monster inside of you sending out those cravings is weakened. They are very much psychological cravings. I wrote earlier in the week that I dreamt I had smoked and that set me off the next day with the strongest cravings I have had since the first few days. I think the experience of dreaming woke up those cravings again.
Keep at it - you do have a great attitude and it is a pleasure to read your posts.