The worst is over, the physical withdrawal gone. I still miss it and feel like a big part of my life is gone. I haven't felt like myself since I quit and maybe that's part of it- anyone else feel like that?
The last time I quit was 5 years ago, and I don't remember how I did it!
I have been able to find things I used to love to do and still enjoy them. It's difficult to find motivation right now. I struggle with anxiety so much at this point- it's hard to go out to run errands some days.
My doctor took my blood pressure 3 times in one visit and it was all over the place. It's amazing what your body does when there's no crutch (cigarette) to rely on!
Has anyone else been dealing with bad anxiety/heart racing/palpitations?
Maybe it's about changing your thoughts. Instead of thinking 'when will I feel normal again?' Tell yourself 'I feel so great today!' Write it down on post-it's, stick them to your bathroom mirror!
I am struggling with feeling like myself, too. But I think the key is with positive affirmation- keep telling yourself you are doing good and feeling good.
Plus I like to pray- not sure if you believe in anything, but God definitely helps me through everything in life.
She offers me cigarettes all the time, and sometimes I have taken her up on the offer or just asked her for one.
But she knows I quit, so I don't understand why she would still offer them to me?
We don't even have much fun hanging out at this point either- she's always depressed or just has a bad attitude. (She is currently trying to quit drinking, because she struggles with alcoholism. She also is in a toxic relationship with a guy who won't technically 'date her' so she is always over at his place.)
Anyone have a friend like this? She only recently admitted to me she thinks she has a drinking problem, too.
I'm just not sure how she's seeing the world, because I've never been addicted to alcohol.
Any perspective or anything would be great!
I realize a lot of people on here are trying to be supportive but I almost feel MORE anxiety when I read about other people's struggles.
And everyone talks about 'rewards'- well a huge part of my anxiety/stress comes from struggling to make enough money to pay bills, so rewarding myself by spending money only seems to cause more stress/anxiety...
Can anyone relate to this? I don't believe a reward system works for me, and if anyone is dealing with the same kind of stress/anxiety, do you have any tips?
I appreciate these words of advice- incredibly helpful. I think she may also be very unhappy with herself and her life, so it's hard for her to see me be healthier and quit smoking. She wants to quit, too, but it's a matter of her first getting help with her drinking before she could quit smoking.
It's very difficult to see her go through all this but until she seeks help there's really nothing I can do.
Does anyone here struggle with perfectionism?
I have known this about myself since I was a kid. I have always had high, rigid and unreasonable expectations for myself- and others.
When I quit smoking, at first I try to be perfect at everything- exercise, eat right, etc.
So when I realize I'm doing this, I end up taking a step back. I have been too hard on myself and on those around me for too long. No one is perfect, right?
I feel much better as I try to accept myself for me, and stop trying to save the world and solve everyone's problems. It feels selfish, even though it is not- I cannot change people around me!
The awesome thing is I WANT to change my thinking and perspective so that I am not so critical on myself and others.
I don't know how related this is to smoking, but I notice every time I have quit I fall back into this extreme perfectionist trap.
I have known for a long time I have negative core beliefs about myself. The root of it comes from parents that were verbally abusive and discouraging. I have known for a long time my parents were verbally abused by one or another parent as children and I see the trend continue with me and my siblings.
As I have been battling these lies- feelings of worthlessness or uselessness- I have come to realize the best way to deal with the negativity is to find something positive to think about. Whether I replace the negative thought with a positive (I am good at ______) or encourage a friend, it distracts from negative thoughts and feelings.
I am also a Christian, so I try to pray and ask God for encouragement and help.
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