Good grief...

I haven't really started into a grieving period yet, but I won't be surprised if I do. When I was smoke-free for a few months back in 2004-5 I did go through a grieving period. I felt like a part of me was dying. The addict in me... that person I had identified as "me" for so many years was 'passing away'. It was actually a very sad time. But, it was [i]good grief[/i] . That part of my identity had to change... or rather, it now has to, as it's turned out. Anyone else gone through that? Or going through that? [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 145 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $46.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 43 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

about to crack.... no really, I'm an hour away from breaking HELP

Ifyouplease, you didn't get 40 days in by accident. You brought yourself this far, and you can bring yourself through another minute, another hour...another day. I think you're too focused on yourself right now...too caught up in the problem. Try getting your mind off you and onto something else, whether it's to read through this site, write another post, go for a walk or have a chat with a friend. Get outside of yourself. Do something besides focus in on how you're feeling. If this is a health issue, then you need to see a Doctor and take appropriate measures to deal with it. But having a smoke won't deal with it. It will compound it. A moments relief from the craving, by giving in to the craving, won't help you. It will just add to the problem. You've come this far... and you've suffered to get here. You've paid the price. Don't throw that away now. I'm rootin' for ya!! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 141 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $46.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 8 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3

Quit No.....I lost count!

According to the American Lung Association, it takes the average smoker two to four attempts at quitting to successfully kick the habit. And the reason that most people who try to quit eventually succeed... is because they keep trying. With every attempt they learn more about what it takes and they're better prepared the next time. It would be nice if everyone quit the first and only time they ever tried to quit, but the fact is that most smokers who become non-smokers... have tried more than once. Stubz, never stop trying. Come back when you're ready to put your experience back to work. You'll beat this yet. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 144 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $46.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 36 [B]Seconds:[/B] 9

Talking...what a concept

I dunno about anyone else, Martha and Windy, but those last posts of yours made my day. :) Just what I needed to hear!

To those who quit in March 07

OK, well I guess we're the March-Mellows...LOL!! ...unless someone comes along with something else they feel strongly about. I like it though. Maybe because the last few days have been kinda short on 'mellow' for me. :) For a few of us, I'm sure.

Triggers

Major triggers? Yeah, I have to stop getting up in the morning. :) Seriously... the computer. But I'm biting the bullet on that one. I'm learning to adjust because I'm not giving up the computer! I drink much less coffee, I watch more TV...because I didn't watch much as a smoker...so I don't identify watching TV with smoking...not as much anyway. I have so many triggers because I associate almost everything with smoking...except work. I'm a teacher... so obviously there's little or no opportunity to smoke at work. I didn't smoke in the shower, or in the bathroom for that matter. I haven't smoked in the car for the last 6 months or so. But just about everything else is a potential trigger. I find that I'm doing things at odd times... times I wouldn't ordinarily do them. Another thing is that I'm engaging my kids more often. I'm also more inclined to just get up and take a trip to the store or to Blockbuster...just so that I have something different to focus on. My largest trigger is alcohol, but I quit drinking some time ago... so that shouldn't be a danger.

Some Pen Name Choices

I like the first one on your list, stickin to it; "Awakened". If I were to change mine, that would be one I'd seriously consider.

not as stressed

I was thinking about something similiar today when my daughters and I were at a restaurant, and I even mentioned it to them. Usually, whether I'm at a restaurant or somewhere else... I'm waiting to smoke, and that intrudes on my appreciation for what I'm actually doing at the time. The thought is always in the back of my mind, "When is this going to end so I can go lite up?" So now as I'm feeling that same sense of urgency... there's an additional layer of conflict, because there's no longer a goal. The goal (going for a smoke) has been removed... so why would I be chomping at the bit to get to my car or to leave work or to get out of a restaurant? I DON'T SMOKE!!! :) So if I don't smoke and there's nothing else that's pressing on me... why would I be in such a rush?? It's like an arm that's been amputated. It's no longer there, but you can still feel it. Well... that's what this is like. For years and years having a smoke was my 'goal' many times each day... but now that goal is gone... and I'm still rushing to 'have a smoke'. Funny. Well, today I became aware of that as I was sitting in that restaurant with my daughters, and I just had to laugh. After that I relaxed a little and just enjoyed their company. The cigarettes are gone, and so is my need to rush off and have one. I'm free to enjoy the moment. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 4 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 121 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $37 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 54 [B]Seconds:[/B] 55

Day three. Me no like.

Thanks for the acknowledgment and encouragement, everyone. It feels very good to know that people are pulling for me, and that you know what it's like to be where I am right now. There's a lot of strength in that. Thanks, Cobenfan. I appreciate that, and believe me, I intend to draw on your nearly 1 year of experience as a non-smoker. I'm going to use every resource available to me, not just to quit smoking, but to feel good about the graduation from smoker to non-smoker. I want to be as comfortable as possible, as functional as possible and as realistic as possible. I figure that overcoming this addiction will be challenge enough without getting in my own way at every turn. And that's where you guys come in. You help me to create a map and a list of realistic possibilities. Actually, I'm having a great day today. I think I've seen the worst of the physical withdrawal. Not all the physiological adjustments, I'm sure. But the physical craving has subsided appreciably. I took my daughters out for their Birthdays today, and we had a wonderful time. While I was aware of the changes I'm going through, I was able to see them positively, and I wasn't hurting emotionally or psychologically. I wasn't reaching for phantom cigarettes or cursing a life devoid of nicotine. :) LOL I expect that I'll be up and down to some degree, but I think the road has straightened a little now that the first few days of physical withdrawal is history. Tutti, I'll pay more attention to the water tap. I've been having pretty good luck with coffee for some reason, though. That worked for me on my last quit a few years ago, too. Coffee is a mild stimulant and I think it takes the edge of my desire for a cig, which can also have a stimulant effect on me. I know that many people give up coffee because it's a trigger for them, and I expected that's what I'd be doing too... but it seems to have just the opposite impact on me. Mind you, that's 2 or 3 cups a day. Not 2 pots, which is what I sometimes drank while I was smoking. Audrey, I know exactly what you mean. I already find myself introducing other things to fill the void that used to be filled with cigarette associated behaviors. I can hardly wait to see what new and interesting thing I'll do next. :) Jaz, I've notice

At this moment, life is good.

Thanks, Healer, Tutti, Windy, Gonnadoit, Penguin and Danielle!! You're all very generous of spirit... and very welcoming. That feels good to me right now. Very good indeed.