Thoughts after 4 weeks

[Martian5]

Well I never thought I would be here but after more than 40 years of smoking I have now completed 4 weeks of no smoking and starting off on my 5th.  After going thru this I do have a few thoughts:

• 1st week -- Hell Week, lived up to its name but I found out it was not as bad as I thought and that it was not impossible, hard yes but not impossible.
• 2nd week -- Heck Week, I began to see that this could be done and I found this forum to help me through.  Physical symptoms began to fade and started to learn to cope with the pyschological symptoms and cravings.
• 3rd week -- I could smell again, I mean really smell -- the air never smelled better and brought back many memories that had been repressed.  As for most my taste it began to come back, I can breathe better and my blood pressure began to improve (still have to take medication but is under full control at this point).  Many things happened for the better and I really began to appreciate being nicotine/smoke free and came to the full realization of the addiction and what it had been doing to me thus increasing my desire to make this "the quit".
• 4th week -- I really did a lot of learning this week because now I see that I have to be on guard so I can fight the thoughts of smoking again -- they are still there but are not as strong and I am learning how to navigate through them.

 

This has definitely been a difficult journey but I have found so many positive aspects while going down this road (and will continue to go down this road).  I have found my health, old pleasures that I thought were lost, that I could withstand many different things without "my old friend" and in fact found out it was no friend at all.  I found out that this journey is not as hard as I let my mind think it was going to be.  And let's not forget I found a few friends along the way in this forum, Thank You All.

[Boo]

The tougher spots of the quit are only going to continue to diminish while the positives accumulate from this point forward.

 

Congratulations Jerry.  Enjoy your newfound freedom.

[PeaceTrain]

This a wonderful testimonial to the "not necessarily easy but definitely doable" nature of quitting smoking.

I foresee that you will get a lot out of looking back at this post one day.  KTQ!  You're doing an absolutely great job!  

[Octain]

Awesome post Martian. I couldn’t have said it better myself. 

 

 

 

[Reciprocity]

Fabulous post Martian5 and everything you stated is bang on normal for your 1st month quitting. Really impressed with your understanding of what you are going through and how to handle it. You're doing great.

 

You have been a regular contributor here too which I personally think helps. In my own experience, I found this connection to be even more important in the months after my early quit. Once the excitement of my new quit had wore off.

 

By the way, keep an eye peeled to the Celebration thread on Feb. 4th then for Octain on Feb. 5th. We'll through you both a party

[Octain]

We like parties. 

 

[Doreensfree]

Feel proud Jerry...very proud...

When you have smoked for Decades ...( 52 years here )....the beniefts are felt immediately.... 

This is only the beginning.... The beniefts keep on coming...

This is a massive achievement for us long term smokers.....I'm so happy for you....!!!

 

[Stewie]

Good job lad. Keep the quit lets make it stick. Respect.

[NADA]

Thanks for those great insights.  It's a whole new, wonderful life you've opened up.  Keep it going!

[Sirius]

Martian5, you've made awesome progress.   Stay strong and remain vigilant.  Success breeds success.