The obvious that's not so obvious
Day 52 and cruising along. It's been an exceptionally busy week and I found, as per my previous posts, that my juggling skills are not what they used to be. I was losing my mind a little (ok, a lot) and it dawned on me what the difference was. I was not escaping the stress every hour and breathing deep! 53 days ago, every hour or so I would go outside, breath nicotine into my lungs in deep relaxing breaths and take those few minutes to centre myself. It's not the Nicotine I'm talking about here that I'm missing, it's the escape, the deep breaths when I'm overwhelmed or stressed. It seriously was like a *ta-da* moment. I would like to point out that im not usually this slow, as your probably thinking this is not ground breaking news or stop-the-press info but in the thick of it all I simply didn't put 2 and 2 together.
I have been avoiding old habits and places and this was my mistake. So now I'm feeling more in control, more relaxed and pleased to know it wasn't just the lack of nicotine making me all uptight..
Obviously I'm no rocket scientist!
Keep smiling everyone..
I have 4 cigarettes left in my packet and I want them to be my last. I have smoked for 26 years and have never given up. I'm anxious but also excited as I've joined this page and reading all the posts have given me a boost of encouragement to give it a real go. My most honest reason for giving up is now my 2 teenage girls smoke and the guilt is too much and I want to show them life without cigarettes. I have nictone patches ready and I'm a few hours time I will hopefully be smoke free forever.
Hey Cranky, i was a little like you. I am 63 days now but i have never tried to avoid my habit routine . Just went about it with no cigarette between my fingers. After while you do realise that you are doing the same routine but not missing the smokes. Determination is the key and sometimes you have to let the pidgeon amongst the cats to show yourself you are through with the smokes. I do not recommend this to beginners but if one is serious then the mind is stronger than the body. All the best to everyone on this site. Cheers.
Johnnie, I think you are a little wiser than me! The old cat amongst the pigeons saying is very apt here, It took me a while but I got there..
I still find a quick walk helps relieve the stress - just a brisk walk around the block which takes about the same length of time as we used to use to smoke a cigarette. It's particularly helpful in the beginning.
Hi Cranky,
I'm hearing ya :) I'm only at day 23 but the physical addiction is now gone - now I cope with the mental addiction and the loss of the "time out" aspect. Like Johnnie I have not altered or avoided my routine. Also my partner still smokes so they are around me all the time - here I have told him not to avoid me while he smokes as (also like Johnnie says) my resolve, mind, and determination are 100% strong. So although its not easy per se, I face the challenges head on and win - the feeling of satisfaction is amazing and I feel I may be beginning to crave that!!! lol
But how to fill in the time gaps - I spend a few minutes on a game app on my phone or just still and let my mind wonder. When I smoked I used this time to re-check myself - no I still do re-check myself but I do it in silence, alone and without a ciggie (sometimes I'll have a lolly pop)
Cheers and congrats on 52 days