2 weeks in

Good work Larn. Once you realise that the only withdrawal symptom is an empty feeling, it is much easier to do. It is a bit hard when you get down, but smoking would not make you feel better - don't kid yourself.

@paidi my pouches of tobacco used to cost me 70 dollars for 50 grams. So expensive. A new car could definitely be on the horizon. 😊

@red-67 thank you for your comment. Its nice to know im not the only one experiencing this feeling and youre right it wasnt a good friend at all. Thanks for your support.

@weewillem

Thank you and nice to meet you. You are absolutely right, smoking wouldnt make me happier. I am considerably crankier though... is that normal or is it unrelated.

I'm feeling pretty down at the moment - just had to remember that i am escaping a strong addiction, and it will get better 😆 (it had better get better!)

Hi Larn,

I see a lot of similarities of myself when I was at 2 weeks quit in your post. I am now over 15 months quit and am at a point of no longer wanting a cigarette. This is different from not allowing myself to not have a cigarette. I can't crave something I do not want.

You are experiencing a range of emotional feelings similar to emotions when going through the grieving process when you lose a friend / relative. Cigarettes are neither of these, you have been brainwashed to believe they are a good friend. I am not sure how long you smoked, but imagine the amount of times you have inhaled and completed the process of releasing dopamine in the brain that has allowed you to feel good. if you smoked 20 cigarettes a day and inhaled 15 times per cigarette, thats 300 times a day you have brainwashed yourself that cigarettes are something that gives you a lift. Non smokers don't require cigarettes for this lift and experience the feel good feeling through other activities.

I have compiled a list of the top things that have helped me get to the point I am at now. Please keep in mind the quit process is different for everyone but I believe there are certain techniques listed below that will help most quitters:

1) Read and be open to the concept of Allan Carr's "Easy Way to Quit Smoking" The foundation for Allan also gives live seminars in certain cities. There are also audio versions of the book available.

2) Start thinking like a non-smoker. Make it something you don't want, not something you can't have

3) Join a telephone or internet support group (such as icanquit)

4) Make quitting smoking a TOP priority. Nothing else takes precedence over quitting. Avoid situations and people that trigger and do not support your quit.

5) Ensure you are getting your recommended daily intake of water. Water is good for the body in so many different ways.

6) Ensure you are eating regular meals and don't allow yourself to go hungry for too long. I found my cravings increased if I was hungry.

7) Ensure you are getting your recommended amount of sleep.

8) Walk, exercise. I have read and been told by Doctors that cigarettes act similar to an anti-depressant by people with mental issues. I have also been told that a half hour / day of exercise that raises your heart rate is equivalent to an anti-depressant.

9) in beginning (first 2 months) give yourself small rewards. These small rewards are extremely important. Having recent exposure and therefor having a recent memory makes it that much more motivational for the beginning of your quit. Big rewards are also important to look forward to, but do not have the same effect as being able to be exposed to them in the beginning of your quit journey. Examples of small rewards that I found helpful were: 1) Going to a restaurant once a week and ordering anything and everything I wanted without considering the price. 2) Massage Therapy, reflexology, acupuncture 3) Taking the time and spending money to utilize a steam room/Sauna.

10) Quit smoking app for your smart phone that tracks money saved, cigarettes not smokes, # of days not smoking and extra life days gained.

11) Introduce new distractions that give you joy and take up the extra time you have (the average smoker spend an hour and a half a day smoking cigarettes!). Some examples would be juicing (vegetables) or starting to use essential oils (such as lavender) in a diffuser.

12) To deal with anxiety you may experience at the beginning of your quit, develop a routine you will go through before giving in to having a cigarette. An example might be: 1) Review reasons you don't want to smoke (2 mins), 2) have a shower (5 mins), read and post on icanquit. I only had to get to the point of showering twice in my quit and after showering my craving was no longer an issue.

I hope these tips and tricks help. Even if only one of the suggested ideas seems like it might help, that gives you an extra tool to tackle this goal. Good luck and congratulations on achieving your 2 week quit!

@notthistime

Thank you so much for your advice! Will read that again in the morning as i think i will get a lot from it. Have a great night.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

Help. Want a cigarette.

I'm trying take slow breathing.

@ann 123 try to remember the reasons you dont want to smoke.

haha

anne 123, she was being nastily negative and glad this was the last we heard from her

just proud of you