43 Days
Equal time feeling good, feeling bad. I am in the No Man's Land. I failed in this place last time when I hit 40 days.
I really want to ring in the new year as a non smoker. Just had my Birthday, and after saying for many years "I do not want to be a 50/51/52/53/54 year old smoker", now I am not at 55. That was cool.
Feeling bored a lot. Prowess is way way up, which is an added benefit for my wifey. bUt she is happy just seeing the ciggys gone.
I just would like to feel better mentally. In reality, feel nothing about it at all. But its on my mind. I'm a bit hazy still. Working out a lot, surfing a bit, feeling very strong. But pre occupied a lot.
My friend has stopped for 5 years not. He smokes a lot of herb. I have not. Just gone cold for 6 weeks now. He says he thinks about smokes every day. My biggest fear.
Never fear, you are here!
At iCanquit we feel that there is more to quitting smoking than just quitting smoking. Learning about nicotine and you, how you were addicted and how you get control of your mind and your life back are all a part of the acceptance of being a non-smoker.
Welcome Monty88. Say good-bye to the past without regret for you are missing nothing. Cigarettes never did anything for you except rob you of your money, health and self esteem. It has been the cause of stress, worries of health and money and social stigma. Once learning the truth, you will not want to smoke, and you will not crave what you do not desire.
I gather that you are nicotine free and that the %80 psychological part of the journey is causing you worry. It is normal for most to have cravings, feel somewhat disoriented and feel a void. We suggest taking up a new hobby or even simple breathing exercises when a void/craving hits.
There are so many benefits to quitting smoking. Read and learn and above all accept becoming a non-smoker. It is the best thing that you will ever do for yourself. Congratulations, you are in good company.
If you click on my name here, you will find a story and free E-book by Allan Carr. It is great reading and will make your journey easier i think.
Thanks for that. I'm holding strong. I have no plans to go backwards. I'm too curious what's ahead, and what shall be new to me. Guess I just needed an outlet.
(...and BTW, I read some of the posts fro 12/10, mostly from you Happiness.
For what it's worth, merely changing lounge chairs on the Titanic saved no one.)
I appreciate your support!
A terrific accomplishment Monty88. Practice NOPE - not one puff ever and you’ll succeed. Stay strong.
Cheers.
I am glad to hear that you are strong in your conviction Monty88. Positive thinking, belief in yourself and yearning to reap the benefits of being a non-smoker will keep you in good stead. As you know by reading, I spend a lot of time on this site where I hope it is spent worth while. I had an easy quit and hope to help others achieve it. I can only hope they have read Allen Carr's book which I have learned a lot and try to convey, but no one does it like he does. I am reading it again for new ideas that i may have forgotten. I did not read his book before quitting but simply looked into quitting, believed that it was actually possible and did so amazingly well.
You say you are bored, but it is not from quitting amoking. Smoking was boring in itself. So boring that we don't remember but a few we smoked. It just made us lethargic from lack of oxygen. I quit work just before I quit smoking, left the housework, laundry etc to keep busy if need be. At times I may have felt at loose ends, but closets and extras still need done! Find something your enjoy doing and do it! We can always learn something from a fresh mind and new view point on this forum. Support and encouragement do wonders for those starting out.
Quitting smoking is really a mind game, very little to do with the nicotine itself other than it is the addictive part that we need to continue to feed. We did not enjoy smoking itself, only the relief we felt after feeding the monster. We could not admit to ourselves that we were addicted to something that tasted so vile, stunk and was unhealthy. We thought that we must enjoy it, as that is what all smokers claim. We brainwashed ourselves and let it continue until now. What brings us here today? A truth? A ray of hope? A desire to live?
Whatever people come to iCanQuit for they will receive some understanding of nicotine, if I have my say.... and I do..lol.
They may leave, but hopefully they will take something with them. A ray of hope, for so many have quit smoking , so it iS possible. Perhaps they will start seeing things in a new light without the blinders on. Some may even go on to quit with no need to return. I came to help others. I still think it is safest to keep returning so we don't forget. Maybe I won't forget that I was a smoker, but I am not proud of it. I would not choose to live my life over again as a smoker, and I definitely have no desire to relinquish the control I have now back to the nicotine monster.
You and others already feel the same way. Newcomers have yet to take their heads out of the sand and look around and discover the truth. We have known it all along, just didn't accept it.
Now is the time.....
I think you are so right Happiness.
Understanding is the key to beating this addiction. I didn't know or understand half as much as I do know and it is THAT (as well as the Forum support) that has made the big difference for me.
Monty88 you've done a fine job and just keep going forward. Time passes by so fast and before you know it you'll be 143 days then a year keep coming back here for your FIX! Don't mourn the fags. They ripped you off long enough.
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I feel good in the pool. The water does something for me. I'm not doing laps or aerobics just floating and loving the embrace of the water a feeling good. Relaxed me. But I'm a Pisces! HAHA..
Fish out of water at the moment!🐟🐳
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I'm coming up to a birthday in a few months of being a NON SMOKER. first time in almost 50 years! That's something to celebrate. First Christmas too in almost 50 years that I wasn't planning when my next cigarette was and how I was going to creep around with a filthy butt.
It's just getting used to doing things differently now.
Don't have to change much in the way of doing things really. Concentrate on changing the mindset. Read Allen Carr Pisces. That's what will make the real difference. The only thing that I really changed was when i got out of bed , while the kettle boiled, I made my bed and did the few dishes quickly. Sucked on candies when I went out to the smoking area at poker games with my friends. Hubby even smoked next to me. You know you best :)
I had simply made up my mind that i could do it.