Chrysalis

Hey, Natalie, according to your beautiful new ticker, you are now more than 12 hours into your quit. Good for you! At this point you should start to realize that nicotine withdrawal, while not pleasant, is not going to kill you-- there are ways you can deal with it. Keep reminding yourself about why you chose to quit. Keep your blood sugar up. Sip on ice water. Distract yourself with chores or fun. Breath slowly and deeply. Come here to post. You see? You're already developing all the skills you need to break free of smoking forever! And remember, it's going to get easier every day-- really it will. You've got a winning attitude going for you! You CAN do this!

Florida in the summer is NOT my favorite place, regardless of which coast (I'm near Tampa). Mom was admitted to the hospital today for presurgical testing and, barring any problems, surgery is Thursday. Then several days of waiting to see how her body handled the surgery. She is very frightened (when we left the house to go to the hospital she said, "Good bye, house." like she was never going to see it again. UGH!) My estranged sister arrived this afternoon (not good news). Even worse, she quit smoking last year but has now relapsed. So between the smoke and the cigarettes laying around, the temptation is worse. DOUBLE UGH!! I know that there are plenty of people here who quit while their spouse continues (and my hat is off to you all) so this is just another excuse for my junkie brain to latch on to. But, brother, a smoker in the house is NOT something I need this week!!!

Great post, Ava. I had the same realization and it helped me a lot, too. I think that broadly educating oneself about the nature of a nicotine addiction and how to overcome it is crucial. But in addition, I think that each us has one or a few "key points" that we repeat to ourselves during moments of stress or temptation. My personal "key point" that I repeated like a mantra, especially during the first few weeks, was, "You have to want to quit more than you want to smoke." which I did (and still do).

Great blog, Sazerac. You know, I wonder... Many people have said that one of the most important "benefits" of smoking is that it allowed them some distance from their emotions. Whenever they felt some strong emotion, the few minutes required to step outside, find, light and savor a cigarette gave them time to process those emotions and choose how to react. The rituals of smoking are also calming. Many people say that they feel emotions more strongly after quitting than before. Negative emotions, of course, but also positive emotions. Sort of like--when they feel bad they feel very, very bad. But when they feel good they feel GREAT!! For anyone involved in a creative pursuit where you have to reach down inside yourself and express your emotions for the world to see, I suspect that quitting smoking (or any other type of drug) will really throw a monkey wrench into your work for a while. You probably will have to push your way through it, force yourself to work when you are not feeling "comfortable" or "normal". Eventually you will get used to your new normal and you will be able to work easily again. I bet that your work product will be a little different than it was when you were smoking, and maybe that will be a good thing.

Way to go, Sammie! You're doing just great! Keep on truckin'-- one day at a time. :)

Based on all the PTs I have known, they will make sure you get an appropriate dose of exercise misery. No doubt about that!

That's fantastic, Beacon! I'm so jealous! But, hey, at least you're giving me something to shoot for, right?

Way to go, Sammie! One day at a time, one hour at a time If you have to. But every single day now it will start to get better and better. I promise!

Buying bicycles is brilliant! It's not only wonderful exercise but it's a great way to bleed off some of the stress and boredom that happen during the first few weeks of a quit. And your healthier lungs will soon synergize with your stronger bicycling muscles to make your feel STRONG and HEALTHY and FIT!! Isn't that terrific??!! Next thing you know you will both join a cycling club and go for 50-mile cross country rides every weekend. (Uh oh! I think my fantasies are getting out of control here. :) ) Anyway, good decision, Wendy and her hubby!

Oh, by the way, Jeni, somebody here must have figured out a way to outsmart Nancy because there is no shortage of "Likes" on this site! You can "Like" and "Like" and "Like" to your heart's content! (So now I will expect you to "Like" every single post write! :) )

Hey, Sammie, good for you for taking on Day 3. You grab that day by the horns and wrestle 'er to the ground, you hear??!!

Heading down to Florida tomorrow. Not looking forward to this but it's gotta be done so here I go... It's always a long, boring drive (7-8 hours). Thank God for talking books (free from our public library!).

Sammie said, "Am ready to face day 3 tomoro, bring it on man! Bring. It. On!!" That's the spirit, Sammie! Face that old Nicodemon and spit in his eye! Yes, you're going to feel miserable off and on for a couple of days, but things will start to get better very soon and you will be DONE with this crap! You go, girl! But don't hesitate to post an SOS if you think it will help.

Hi, Jen! I remember you from "the other place". I am absolutely certain that you can quit if you have made up your mind to do so and if you have effective support. I think "all systems are go" this time around, don't you? In the "SOS" forum there is a thread called "Pre Respond to your own SOS". I STRONGLY suggest that you write a letter to yourself telling yourself what you would want to hear if you start slipping into relapse. Include the 3 main reasons that you decided to quit. Read the whole thread, especially but not only your post. I think it will help you a lot. You are a smart, strong woman and you can totally DO this! You only have to want to quit more than you want to smoke, and I think that is true for you. Come on! You go, girl!

Way to go, Sammie! You can do this! Yes you can! If you find yourself climbing the walls, be sure to check out the "Nonsmoking Cats" thread-- a lot of laughs and a great distraction. And remember, if you really think you might crack please post an SOS on the SOS forum and wait until you get 3 responses before you do anything foolish. People are in and out of here 24/7 so you won't have too long to wait even in the middle of the night.

Hey, Christmas is perfect! Tell all your friends and relatives that you want stuff for your new room. I wonder... does Ikea have an online gift registry? :clapping:

Thanks, everybody. You're all so sweet and thoughtful! I very much appreciate that you let me speak my mind without jumping down my throat every time I turn around. I know that not all of you will agree with everything I say and visa versa, but I think it is educational and thought-provoking and hopefully helpful to some members to at least listen to each other's ideas.

Marti, I agree. Well-designed lighting will make a WORLD of difference in this small space. If you are going to invest some time and money, put it into lighting.

I went from 2 regular dose pills per day to 1 per day to 1/2 per day (each time for about 4 days). I did have some pretty strong craves but only a few per day and after a week no more craves. I think that some people are more sensitive to Chantix and may react to 1/4 pill per day. Sounds like you might be one of those. I suggest that you go to 1/2 pill in the morning and see what happens. And, yes, I think that "putting oneself under a magnifying glass" as I call it can make the craves feel much worse than otherwise. But craves will NOT kill you. Try to stay busy and distract yourself. Put on your earphones and listen to loud music. Do not give them your attention and they will go away quicker.

Grey(ish) and silver (ish) with and without an area rug. August 30, 2014 August 30, 2014

Sure, I can do silver/gray. Which of your original photos shows those colors closest to the color you want? (I need to be able to pick up a "swatch".)

Now that I have a translation (Trip Advisor: Irish Slang) I know that's a compliment. :) Thanks, SueBeDo!

Well, Colleen, I had just decided to skip my workout today for some trumped-up excuse (I think it was something to do with the weather this time). Reading your post helped to change my mind-- if I want results like yours I had better put in effort like yours, don't you think??!! :yes: I'll post more once I come back all hot and sweaty. :P

Hi, Marti- I always find it difficult to picture things in my imagination so I fooled around abit and produced these 3 sketches. Tell me which one you like best and/or if you want a different color scheme and I will create a couple more images for you. From August 30, 2014 From August 30, 2014 From August 30, 2014 From August 30, 2014

You're doing it, Sammy, you're on your way! You've got a great attitude. Breathe deeply and slowly, sip on ice water, and make sure that your blood sugar is OK by sucking on hard candies or drinking fruit juice. You're going to blow through these few tough days and make this be your "sticky quit".