DenaliBlues

Yes, yes oh yes to what others have said about being patient with the brain fog (I’m still struggling with it). Staying occupied has been really important for me – to distract from the cravings and also to reprogram my body rhythms. For 40+ years smoking was an organizing principle of my life, it’s how I punctuated everything: waking up, eating, working, relaxing, managing emotions, going to sleep, all of it. So staying busy this early in my quit is also about learning what life is like without nicotine being the metronome that regulates my tempo for everything. I think every person is different, you will find the things that work for you. But some things that are working for me right now: A mini honey-do list of small household tasks, doable in 15 minutes or less. I keep a running list, complete a few each day, cross them off (satisfying!) and add more. Countertop or wall pushups. Lots. Every time a crave hits. I’m out of shape enough that by the time I do 20 or 30 I’ve pretty much forgotten all about smoking. (And everything else.) Vigorously shaking my hands, arms and legs – really hard. I don’t know if that’s about stimulating circulation or about venting frustration, but it helps. The cats are gradually getting used to this. I chew on cinnamon oil toothpicks and mints. I got some lavender-scented Silly Putty. Love it, it keeps my hands busy. It’s also great for aggravating Zoom work meetings, not just quitting smoking. Really gentle television. Quitting has screwed up my sleep, and it’s also made me strangely sensitive to images of violence or any stressful suspense. My mate is getting pretty tired of baking shows, Bob Ross, cute baby animals and the history of the paper clip... but too bad! Reading, posting and playing games here. Thank heavens for the Train. You got this @Brioski... one day at a time!

Escaped leaky yacht.

Trout Fishing + Potato Salad = Very Happy Me Haven't yet learned how to uncouple fishing from smoking, but I am so motivated...

8. Grow cucumbers to snack on when you get "the munchies"

Eaten with salsa.

4. grow roses (Beloved by both aphids and deer at our house.)

daal

Gassy, terrible flatulence released daily. dunce

Don't panic yet.

raisin

Welcome aboard the Train, @Brioski! So glad you've joined us. Way to go on being 8 days into your quit. It’s impressive that you can actually form complete sentences at this stage. 8 days into my own quit I was capable only of monosyllabic grunting noises and pathetic whimpers. You are doing great! And things will get even better. Count on it. For me, 40+ years of addiction are not pivoting overnight, but there are more gifts to quitting than I thought. I don’t stink. (Well, as long as I occasionally bathe.) I breathe easier. I’m not held hostage to the nicotine fix. My partner is really happy. No more yellow stains on my fingers. And this forum is a great resource for info, real-world experience and supportive distractions. Good for you for embracing this opportunity for yourself and your loved ones. P.S. I would pay big money to not have to go anywhere near corned beef and cabbage. Silver lining = more for others.

2. feed the deer (who refuse to eat the actual WEEDS, of course...)

Pez

I’m mighty peevish.

yellow narcissus emerged

Congratulations, @JustinHoot99. You are building up some awesome quit muscles!

You got this... just NOPE. Tie yesrself down if you need to.

Good thoughts. I, too, have been thinking a lot about what "hunger" is and isn't. Hunger vs. craving vs. addiction. My brother-in-law, a car mechanic, used to say about rattles: "That's why God made radios." Crank it up. KTQ.

not getting younger

Umami: naturally delicious edible rapture. yummo

8. Make a cat scratcher (for kittehs to pointedly ignore as they shred the rug)