Hi, Paula and it's great that you're doing so well and that you're keeping the focus on your quit. There may be more days like yesterday when you get the craves but for every day that you refuse to give in to them the stronger your will will get to deal with the next one in double quick time...
I know you're young and that friday night is THE big night to go out and party (craic) but you could change that habit by setting up another routine, like, going for a Tai Chi or Yoga lesson for an hour and then meeting a pal for a late meal and a bottle of Riesling or whatever....you still have Saturday night for the few gargles and Sunday to recover with the newspapers!
You should reward yourself often with new things, new things to do (go feed the ducks in St Stephen's Green), and learning Italian or French at home in the evenings - if you haven't already, buy yourself a book of the newspaper columns of Myles na gCopaleen,(Flann O'Brien, Brien O'Nualainn) perennially funny stuff!
But, all in all, you're doing it exactly right. You're coming in here regularly and talking about how it's been going for you and that gives constant reinforcement to the structure to this final quit ... Stay cool this weekend - maybe take a bus out to Wicklow - make a bag of sandwiches for yourself and sit by the harbour in Greystones or in the pub at Enniskerry...
Patrick
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 1/18/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 148 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,700 Amount Saved: $1,665.00 Life Gained: Days: 27 Hrs: 12 Mins: 36 Seconds: 29
Today, again, was tough! I just had an anxious tight feeling in my chest for the whole day and I was a bit stressed. It could be that I am just starting to experience proper emotions without them being distorted! I just remember that today was the first time that I actually found myself fantisising about a cig and I really wanted one, then I don't know what happened! The crave was really stong and I could picture myself giving in but I just went on with my day and it must have just popped out of my head as quick as it popped in. In the past I probably would have focused on the crave and then it would get more and more intense but I was really busy and constantly on the go today and it did just go away when I took my mind off it. It was just a thought, that's all.
I still felt lousy and down for the rest of the day but I wasn't focusing on smoking. I came home and hid under the duvet for two hours and made a pact with myself that I was not going out tonight. I don't think I would have been able to handle being out in a group or being around smokers tonight. So it was a pj night. I'm heading to bed now again so goodnight folks, I'll check in with you tommorrow.
Paula
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/26/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 18 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 414 Amount Saved: �156.29 Life Gained: Days: 1 Hrs: 5 Mins: 49 Seconds: 57
Hey, thanks for all the support! My evening didn't go exactly as planned, I had unexpected smoking guests which knocked me a bit. He asked how I was getting on, and in the past, I used to say, 'oh, you'll never believe how hard this is, I'd kill for a cig' but tonight i said 'I'm fine thanks. This is so good, yeah I have cravings every now and then but I'm just so glad that I don't have to smoke anymore'. That shut him up anyway! I didn't have my bath and my me time and I called into my dad, and I did some housework! I'm a glutton for punishment! I am craving at the moment, its more irritating than actually making me want to go and get cigs. Its kind of numb, the urge is there but I just couldn't care less. I'd say I'll have to be careful over the next few days, I'm coming up to 3 weeks which will be the longest I have ever stopped (without cheating!) and I'm sure i'll get some subconcious hassle! Anyways, I'm sleepy now so goodnight folks! I'll check in with ya all tommorrow!
Paula
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/26/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 16 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 368 Amount Saved: �138.92 Life Gained: Days: 1 Hrs: 2 Mins: 32 Seconds: 0
You're doing an amazing job with your quit. Quitting smoking is never easy but you're already through the hardest parts.
When we're hungry it's sometimes a feeling akin to a craving. Blood sugars affect our emotions and our physical strength, so try to eat well and make sure you've got something to snack on whenever you need it. Be kind to yourself and protect your quit...you're worth it and this "babying" is only temporary until your body fully heals and your emotions normalize. Rest when you want to, work (at home) when you feel like it and order in every night if that's what you want. Before too long, you'll be full of energy and have a new zest for your smoke free life!
Wishing you all the best.
Pat
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 1/28/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 500 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 20,000 Amount Saved: $10,000.00 Life Gained: Days: 61 Hrs: 2 Mins: 6 Seconds: 24
Paula you are doing SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB!!!!! Just keep pushing on through!! I have been reminding myself that I get to be free today, I don't have to smoke anymore! I remind myself that it is a choice. My hubby and I rambled on and on last night about all of the things we don't have to worry about anymore since we quit like...
waiting for the coffee to finish making so we can grab it and run out to smoke
where are my cigarettes? I can't find them!
Shoot, I ran out last night.
Honey will YOU go to the store? (usually ANGRY whilst he goes, even though it was ME talking him into it. lol!)
I can't find the lighter
...spend 5-10 minutes looking ALL OVER for it then finding it in the pocket of the clothes I am wearing
all within the first half hour of waking. Silly.
:) KEEP UP THE GREAT QUIT GIRL!!!!!
Jen
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/5/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 37 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 740 Amount Saved: $185.00 Life Gained: Days: 3 Hrs: 3 Mins: 9 Seconds: 37
Hi Paula, you are doing wonderful... dont forget to pat yourself on the back i'm sending some virtual (((((((((hugs)))))))
get your favorite take out, favorite pj's and curl up with tv, movie or book. you do not have to be Super Woman. staying busy is good... but getting exhausted or overtired can e a big trigger too... so find your happy medium
I read someplace that it takes 21 days to change a habit....
I'm like Lady. what keeps me from smoking now.... NOT going to reeat those first few weeks... Been there done that dont want to do it AGAIN..... I'm not Strong.. I do not want to do that again.......
Bonnie
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 2/10/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 122 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,074 Amount Saved: $414.80 Life Gained: Days: 17 Hrs: 12 Mins: 39 Seconds: 2
You are probably at home right now and in bed and snoozing away - this bad day is over for you... tomorrow will be better and you should take the chances during the day to get out of the office and walk around for a bit. Eating fruit will help you get through the lows also (as Brenna says). You'll do it this time paula because you're staying ver y close to the site which means that your focus on making this quit the final one is in high gear... you'll do it!!
Patrick
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 1/18/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 145 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 3,625 Amount Saved: $1,631.25 Life Gained: Days: 27 Hrs: 0 Mins: 13 Seconds: 42
