Will today be the day?

[alley]

Every morning I wonder if today will be the day that my cravings start to lighten.  I know people who "decided" to quit smoking and say it was easy...they were just done like that and have no desire to smoke again.  Really?  how can that be? 

 

I realize there is no one formula that fits all of us.  I crave every day...most of the time. And the big junkie negotiator inside my head begins and we argue for which seems like forever!!   just one.  no big deal.   and on and on and on

 

 However, today I have noticed my craves are far less often with much more time between them.  That is HUGE hope for me. 

 

I am super grateful for being here.  Reading is such a  powerful tool for me.  Thank you everyone for sharing.

 

BTW...I changed my "handle" as some suggested.  suggested?  well.....anyway.  lol

[Nancy]

Everyone has a different quit.  Mine was not easy, but it was not nearly as hard as I anticipated.  But there was still a lot of crying, screaming, locking myself in the bathroom at home and at work, walking until I could not walk any more.  Singing, dancing, showering, any activity to keep busy.

 

So glad that the craves are getting fewer!  Alley, I promise you that you can do this, and your life will be so much better.

[Boo]

Congratulations Alley.  With repetition, the process works and the new way becomes your new normal.

 

For me personally, I didn't lose all desire to smoke in certain situations.  I simply recognized the craves for what they are: passing thoughts stemming from an addicted mind.  Thoughts come and go all day, why would I build up a cigarette craving to be of any more importance than other thoughts that pass as quickly as they emerged.  As soon as you figure out that thoughts of smoking have only as much power as you give them, they are really easy to push aside.

 

When you find something so simple that yields so many benefits, you've truly found something worth hanging onto.

[Petra]

Way to get through those craves, Alley!  So happy to hear they are fewer.  

 

As far as the "easy" quitters, I think that it is more that the decision is easy - you decide to stop smoking, and you stop smoking.  However, that doesn't mean that some moments won't be hard.  I cried (hard) on the floor getting through a crave one day.

 

Oh, and I hated the junkie negotiater.  Please try not to let yourself get into that anymore.  Distract yourself.  Come here and post, take a walk, eat something, cook something, we can give you more ideas if you need them, but that arguing is not good at all.  Most important - don't let the junkie win - not even one little tiny puff.  NOPE!  Not One Puff Ever.          

[Doreensfree]

I used to shout nope..quite alot..it worked for me...

Just remember it's all temporary.. The craves will weaken ,they do get further apart..

One day you will suddenly reolize ,you havnt thought about them for hours ..

Be patient..don't over think things.you are were you are in your quit...

I WAS a 52 yr smoker..it was easy..but doable..

Don't forget the treats..very important...it's your pat on the back..

Your doing great..

Oh nice to meet you alley..x

[ExTex]

Good morning, Alley - and thank you for the ray of hope.  

You are doing a great job of taming the negotiator in your head (I love this metaphor, BTW).

I hope to be there soon...

[BAT]

JUST NOPE IT :)

[Stewie]

It gets easier every day so just think of making it to tomorrow. Simple. Good luck :)

[sgt.barney]

You will crave. 

 

Period. 

 

Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. 

 

It's kinda why we kept smoking, 

 

The good news? They are easy to deal with. 

 

Craves go away if you smoke.

Craves go away if you DONT smoke. 

Same-Same.

 

Which would you rather do?

 

Sarge thought so. 

 

 

 

Easy Peasy

[alley]

Thank you everyone.  They are JUST thoughts.  And I am the one who decides to hold onto the thought or gently push it to the side.  Even these sad thoughts....thoughts like I am loosing my best friend forever, life will never be as fun, I miss sitting, smoking, staring into space with that cup of coffee all morning......thoughts.  Hey, it has been my habit for 45 years.  long time.  don't really remember life before the smoke. 

 

so right now I am going to think about how wonderful this spring will be for me...my first spring to really smell the flowers.  and I am a huge gardener.  this will be a new adventure for me

 

cry. laugh. scream. eat.  walk. scream again.  

[Doreensfree]

Hi alley..

I always thought it was my friend too..hey I've worked hard..it my pleasure..my reward..yada,yada,yada...

Until one day I was told I was about to have both amputated ,if I don't quit ....my friend..!!!!

All of a sudden it was my enemy...it was never our friend...just a addiction that was killing us very slowly we didn't see it coming...

Sitting with your morning cup of coffee...soon enough will be so enjoyable...I promise you...

[Jackie]

You can do this!!!!  I tried quitting multiple times and will say that eventually, your head knows its time and when its THE TIME, the cravings are easier to handle because you know there is no going back.  Instead of playing the game in your head "don't go buy a pack," tell yourself it's not even on the table!  That helped me.  It's not even up to discussion in my head because its not an option :).

 

You got this lady!  Keep at it!  We can do it together!!