Depression and quitting smoking.

[Gus]

This is wonderful Robbie! I have found that I don’t like a lot of the things I did when so smoked. From the taste of some foods and Starbucks coffee() to the scent of laundry detergent, bath soap, dryer sheets, lotions. It’s insane. But yeah, I have also discovered that some things do taste a lot better! I’m so proud of you for sticking to your quit and with US! Stay close!

[Dianne]

I so happy for you Robbie! Foods seem to be tasting sweeter to me these days. Why sweeter I not sure. Keep going you so got this!! 

[PeachFuzz]

On 5/15/2021 at 3:03 AM, Gus said:

So true. I do not have anyone to speak my journey with either. No one has the time or inclination to just sit and hear you out. Most resent you for daring to and succeeding in breaking the chains of addiction, especially if you have to walk away leaving them in theirs to save yourself. Others have no need to acknowledge or address you anymore because they can’t belittle you by shooing your reeking presence away or whispering about your addiction behind your back. I truly feel that I can come here and voice my struggles and all of my thoughts with absolutely no judgment. And the kindness here is genuine. Because that kindness is based on truth. The best kind of kindness. The kindness that praises you for every victory and the kindness that will give you a swift kick in the rear when needed. The kindness that holds you accountable but will help guide you along the path to the old you, maybe a new you; but definitely a whole you!

Augustus, you are such a precious lady soul.

[Robbie]

I had quite a strong desire to buy cigarettes tonight; I think it was brought on by this week and the horrible COVID lockdown. Stayed home most of the day and by this evening I was quite depressed and needing some comfort. It persisted for a while and I used my nicotine spray more than normal. Went to the super market and bought an ice cream! Yes, cold Wintery night but it seemed to help somehow. Made me despair a bit, I am 60 days smoke free and when the going gets tough, I'm still wanting to smoke....sigh. Hope these feelings of wanting to smoke pass, as the weeks go by. I find it discouraging.

[Linda]

Good for you Robbie for buying ice cream!!! Fighting those craves!! If you have read any of my post, I have struggled with them. It does get easier as time goes on, but keep that guard up!!! I to have dealt with depression also with my quit. Try flipping that switch to some thing positive. I will journal and do a gratitude list of all the things I have to be grateful for, even if they are little things. It changes the focus off of smoking. Hang in there you are doing great

[Gus]

9 minutes ago, Robbie said:

I find it discouraging.

Hey Robbie! I had the same kind of day yesterday and to be honest I already feel the same way this morning. I will not say that I have the urge to smoke because I don’t. I am in a constant state of low tension and anxiety because of something that is happening in my life right now that I have absolute no control over. I am literally facing a giant wall with my hands balled into fists down at my sides and my forehead pressed into said wall trying to will it away. I don’t know what to do about this wall. It will eventually crumble and fall as all walls do. All I can do is stay on here and read the old posts. It’s reading the personal battles that help me most. I guess that all I can say is that you are not alone in this. You are not the only one facing this particular issue. So keep posting on here and if the only thing that keeps you from quitting your quit is that you know that one other person on this planet is feeling the exact same way as you are then that is enough and we can call it a day and hope for a better one tomorrow.

[Dianne]

52 minutes ago, Gus said:

 So keep posting on here and if the only thing that keeps you from quitting your quit is that you know that one other person on this planet is feeling the exact same way as you are then that is enough and we can call it a day and hope for a better one tomorrow. 

That right there  Knowing others got/get it and being able to call it a day and wake to a new one....have gotten me through...Hang in there Robbie...it is good to finally treat ourselves well.

Edited June 5, 2021 by Dianne

[PeachFuzz]

@Gus It's frustrating when something is out of our control BUT we can control how we react to it.  What will be,  will be.  Life has a funny old way of sorting it self out. Now is not the time to over think or stress.  Just keep praying,  look after yourself, and then let it go. 

[Doreensfree]

Your bound to have thoughts ....

It's What you do with these thought ....

I was told in my early days ..It's ok to Wobble ...just make sure you don't fall over ....

You had a battle ...and you won ....and has some yummy ice cream ...

Great going ...

 

[jillar]

You guys are all doing so well even though it may not seem like it right now. @Robbie, you should feel so proud of yourself for being in a store and buying an ice cream instead of cigarettes, especially since you were having such a bad day. That's a huge accomplishment and shows a ton of self discipline. 

Same for you @Dianne, @Gus and @PeachFuzzand @Linda, you've all had challenges and with determination and an unwavering desire to quit you are succeeding.

I had a hard first year too and I used it as my number 1 reason for not relapsing and having to do it all over again.

I also read my posts from the beginning of my quit each month so I wouldn't forget where I came from and to see how far along I'd come. Its surprising how much of the bad days I had forgotten as time went by so it was definitely worth rereading. Maybe reading yours will help you guys too

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by jillar

[Reciprocity]

Don't be discouraged, any of you newbies! 

 

You have done the really hard work and yes, the challenges continue at times. That's to be expected but if you think about things and look back to the early days of your quits, you'll see things are improving overall.

 

Now (a months or 2 or 3 in), is the time to consciously start changing your thoughts from; Geez I wish I could have a smoke right now to; am I ever happy and impressed with myself that I don't have to hide behind a smoke anymore in this situation! Looking towards the benefits you're seeing and dismissing any urges to smoke will take you far and help get you to where you want to be.

 

The other big issue is patience! You really need to have that at this point. Patience and faith in the process. We all wanted our quits to be further advanced than what they were early on. It's happing, even though you may not see it daily. You developed smoking triggers/habits over 20-30-40 years. Give your quit at least 1 year to start erasing those triggers/habits that you've imprinted on your brains. It WILL happen if you give it a chance and the proper timeframe  

 

Now, speaking of smoking .... I gotta go slow cook that duck 

on the smoker

Edited June 5, 2021 by reciprocity

[Gus]

Thanks for the advice @Doreensfree @jillar and @reciprocity You guy are the best! And @reciprocity please let us know how the duck turned out.

[Doreensfree]

Quitting ....what a journey ....

There will be alot of bends and tunnels along this track ...

Sometimes it seems you will never reach that all important station called FREEDOM ..

One day you will get up and you wil feel differently about your quit ...

It will become your pride and joy ...something you will want to cherish..

It happens at different times for different folks ...but it will happen ...

And it will be  Magic .....

All you have to do is protect your quit ...No Matter What

[Robbie]

Thanks for your advice and encouragement everyone. Well it wasn't just any old ice cream, it was Queensland mango and coconut covered in white chocolate!!  Certainly did the trick, so I have three more in the freezer in case I need some comfort again! Seriously, it was quite tough working through all of that last night on my own, but this morning I am so pleased that I didn't buy cigarettes...I would have been very disappointed in myself. Like you Gus, I can't bear the thought of going through the early stages of quitting again, that is very good motivation to keep going. Hopefully the severe lockdown is easing up and things will be more 'normal' this coming week.

Edited June 6, 2021 by Robbie
left a word out

[Gus]

55 minutes ago, Robbie said:

Hopefully the severe lockdown is easing up and things will be more 'normal' this coming week.

[Gus]

7 hours ago, Gus said:

@reciprocity please let us know how the duck turned out.

Soooo? Was it as delicious as it sounded it was going to be? Were you full to bursting and needing a nap afterward? Do tell!

[Boo]

1 hour ago, Robbie said:

Seriously, it was quite tough working through all of that last night on my own, but this morning I am so pleased that I didn't buy cigarettes...I would have been very disappointed in myself.

 

Good job Robbie.

 

The process of quitting basically boils down to a series of choices.  You chose well.

[Cbdave]

1 hour ago, Robbie said:

Thanks for your advice and encouragement everyone. Well it wasn't just any old ice cream, it was Queensland mango and coconut covered in white chocolate!!  Certainly did the trick, so I have three more in the freezer in case I need some comfort again! Seriously, it was quite tough working through all of that last night on my own, but this morning I am so pleased that I didn't buy cigarettes...I would have been very disappointed in myself. Like you Gus, I can't bear the thought of going through the early stages of quitting again, that is very good motivation to keep going. Hopefully the severe lockdown is easing up and things will be more 'normal' this coming week.

Regards 

 

G’day 

Bet you that ice cream, even as good as it was, cost way less than a packet of cigs......

[d2e8b8]

@Robbie, well done.  Ice cream any day.  It sounds delicious.

Great to see you're getting stronger and able to fight back.

 

 

[Katgirl]

1 hour ago, Cbdave said:

Regards 

 

G’day 

Bet you that ice cream, even as good as it was, cost way less than a packet of cigs......

Sounds like you have some exotic ice creams over there. I’m happy with mint chocolate chip from Haagen-dazs.

[Abby]

Banana split with three choices of ice cream , caramel , chocolate and strawberry toppings , banana and cherries on top here please lol . 

[PeachFuzz]

I'm easy.  Mint on its own and I couldn't be happier 

[Robbie]

I found myself surrounded by smokers last night, for the first time since I quit! Went out to a cafe to listen to music and people were walking past me smelling of cigarettes, then I went outside to chat to a friend (the music was loud inside) and there were about 6 smokers and packets of cigarettes all over the table. I was pleased that I only took a mild interest in it all and that it didn't set off some mad, frantic craving. It would have been too easy to ask for cigarette, but it didn't enter my head. It was good for me to confront this as I go to listen to live music whenever I can and there are always smokers where there is music, I find! Think I passed my first 'socialising' test quite well! Proud of myself!

[Linda]

@Robbie Good job, you should be very proud

[jillar]

That's awesome @Robbie !!!