Daily Life Without Smoking

[Wayne Baker]

Even after more than a year, daily life can be a challenge for me.  I'm well past the physical and most mental cravings, but there are situational issues that come into play, even if only in my subconscious mind.  Where I used to be able to grab a smoke or two to deal with my depression, hurts, or losses, I now have to find other methods of coping.  I think it might be those situational issues that are in play when folks relapse after extended periods of not smoking.

For the past couple of days, I've been dealing with a sense of loss and a host of feelings related to leaving the support group I was at previously.  This was also a group I was associated with as far back as 1995/1996 when I first had a major quit with the used of patches.  

Even though I'm not physically craving, or even mentally craving to a large degree, the thought still enters...why not just say the heck with it and go buy a pack and enjoy it for the day.  Of course I know full well that 1) I would not enjoy it and 2) it would not be just for a day.

I think my main purpose for my rambling on about this right now and here is to defuse that thought early on.  Just communicating that to someone else somehow takes the power out of it.

Thanks for reading.

---
Wayne Baker
Nicotine Free:  1Y 1M 4d 22h 43m
Not Smoked:  11,655
Money Better Spent $1,923.08

[Wayne Baker]

It sounds like you're off to a great start!   The first week is often called "hell week" for good cause.  The good news is that we only have to endure that week one time :-)  It DOES get better and better.  Best wishes.

---
Wayne Baker
Nicotine Free:  1Y 1M 2w 3d 21h 17m
Not Smoked:  12,029
Money Better Spent $1,984.79

[adycurious]

It's good to hear something inspiring and eye-opening about achieving what you have.  I'm up to one week without a smoke tomorrow and I'm hoping the hellish part of quitting is over for good.  It's been tough, but I'm finally able to see that light at the end of the tunnel.  I hope I can be as clear minded as you have been and not let stressful times or those inconvienent road bumps in life trigger this ridiculous addiction again.  The only really discouragement for me right now is the impulsiveness with eating.  There's no doubt in my mind I've already gained a few pounds, I'm hoping this will subside sooner than later also.
Thank you for your hopeful words

[Dakotawinks]

Thanks Wayne I need to keep thinking "ahead" at the better times that will follow this. I am in that "trying to quit stage" It's been a week today......big deal, but it's so hard. I have to "rethink" lots of things I do  and it's strange doing it w/out a smoke.
I can't wait until I too feel like a "non-smoker" keep wondering about how that must feel.
My throat feels better right now than it has in over 14 months. I almost didn't even want to say that because I'm afraid I'll jinx myself.........
I just keep trying to get through one day or even one hour w/out a smoke, it's super hard.
Thanks for you encouragement.
Dakota

[Wayne Baker]

Yes.  I feel a LOT better on several levels.  Physically better - no hacking cough, walking up stairs now without having to breathe heavy, waking up in the morning without that stale taste in my mouth.  I've also found that I don't get sick as often as I used to and that I handle the allergy seasons much better.  On an emotional level, I've reached the point for some time now that I think of my self as a non-smoker...not one who is merely trying to quit.  I'm not sure when that happened but its nice to feel "socially acceptable" and not an outcast wherever I go.

Trust me, every day of sheer gritting teeth or whatever it takes to get through it smoke-free is worth it.   The rewards as time passes on while smoke-free are fantastic!

---
Wayne Baker
Nicotine Free:  1Y 1M 1w 2d 0h 9m
Not Smoked:  11,774
Money Better Spent $1,942.71

[Dakotawinks]

Tell me this secret Wayne, do you feel better, I mean lots better? I've smoked most of my life and have heard after a certain amount of time I'll feel better. Of course this is too early to know or tell, but I want to have something I can look forward to.
Dakotawinks

[Wayne Baker]

During those early days, I spent countless hours reading the material at whyquit.com and posting and reading support groups such as this.  

I also kept drilling into my mind over and over and over, that NOTHING can happen in life that smoking will make better.  I lost my mother this past year.  That would have been a perfect excuse for me to go out and smoke.  But then...my mother would still be dead and I'd have the addiction to deal with again in addition to the grieving process.

For some reason, the support really does work.  Just communicating about what's going on with us eases the cravings and temptations.  

At four days, you're past the very worst of the withdrawal...now its simply a matter of building on what you have.  But you already know that and you're doing it.  Pat yourself on the back and do something nice for yourself today.  You deserve it.

---
Wayne Baker
Nicotine Free:  1Y 1M 6d 23h 40m
Not Smoked:  11,715
Money Better Spent $1,932.98

[Dakotawinks]

Just wanted to say how proud I am of you, wow......a whole year. I envy you. I am only on day 4 and was wondering about those "coping" tools whenever something sad or upsetting happens. Of course in 4 days nothing has happened yet, but I'm worried about it as that's the reason I started again after my last quit. You know? I didn't quit because I "didn't enjoy it" I do, but I have to move on and convince myself there are better things for me to "enjoy"
Anyway, thanks for the support in the post of kathy jo, teko and myself (dakotawinks)
Thanks
Dakota

[kathyjo]

Well said Wayne! Pearls of wisdom : )