Treading Water
Some days I feel as if I am using a lot of energy to stay afloat instead of drowning in my mental illness. I call it treading water. Sometimes I delay buying cigarettes for a day and a half. The last packet I had had twelve left and the quit line encouraged me to destroy them. I am now in day thirteen of quitting. I have been rewarding myself. Each day I have something from the supermarket worth three or four dollars. Once a week I buy myself a pot plant. I am looking forward to two days time. When I get fourteen days smoke-free I am buying myself a bag of potting mix. Go me.
Hi penelopejane
Rewards helped me tremendously for the first 3-5 weeks I was quit. I rewarded myself by getting massages, buying healthy food, relaxing in the steam room and the one I looked most forward to was an expensive meal at a nice restaurant each weekend. I allowed myself to order whatever I wanted on the menu without taking price into consideration. Initially all these rewards cost me more than smoking, but now, I have saved thousands because I have not smoked for over 15 months. Continue to give yourself rewards and also give yourself a pat on the back. Great job done!
You are doing great! Rewards are a good thing. You deserve the reward. keep going, day by day!
Chi Penelopejane. Sorry to her this is a struggle. I must say my greatest reward was seeing how much money was not ending up in the ash tray. Me, 1045 days and over $25000. This amount is in my bank account. Instead of existing pay to pay I am enjoying my "pay rise". Short term rewards don't often make a statement. A serious smoker can burn in excess of $1000 per month. Eventually overseas trips or designer shoes or what ever else takes your fancy. Think about it...
Great progress Penelope Jane, celebrate every day that you don't smoke. You must be feeling great.
Hi PenelopeJane, I am curious how you are making out with quitting. I hope you are doing well and enjoying smoke free days. Remember, there is a whole community here rooting for you and are here if you need feedback or support.