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Dealing with Triggers


17 years ago 0 738 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Windy! I don't have much time in, but it seems to me that everyone is right in that the more you do something without smoking, the stronger you will get in that situation. But, I would caution you not to "tempt" yourself too much if you are feeling particularly fragile on the day. Do please protect yourself at all times, and so what if you have to take out the green tea and the candies? And I would ask you to concentrate on exactly when the cravings come. What exactly are you doing? Winning? Losing? When you first sit down? What are you feeling? Which emotion exactly? I find I crave more when bored, or angry, and not much in between. I do not think any problem we have is minor, because we spent soooo much time thinking about and indulging in our addiction, that we are learning how to be whole new people and EVERYTHING is new and unusual to us. Think of your quit as a 56 day old baby, and be as tender and loving with it as you would the real baby. Be kind to you, [IMG]http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/DeeKaySss/Parrot_blinks.gif[/IMG] Denise [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 664 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $165 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 59 [B]Seconds:[/B] 13
17 years ago 0 2631 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I've been pondering this one for awhile and been hesitant to post because it is pretty minor....but I have a question and I need advice so here goes. My quit has gradually been getting easier - I have many smoking memories and minor cravings but, for the most part, no major cravings right now. Along the journey, I've had some pleasant surprises - I thought alcohol was a trigger for me but discovered that it is quite possible to enjoy a glass of wine without a cigarette. The problem is that I have ALWAYS loved to play cards. I used to play on the internet after work. I play with family, friends...any time I can....the problem is.......that every time I try to play cards I start to have cravings. I played some games with a friend but had to get the green tea and candies out just to deal with the cravings. I could only last a couple games. The problem is that I really like playing cards but every time I try to play I have major triggers so I have to avoid them. Has anybody else had this kind of problem? Should I try a couple of games every night (desensitization?), just give up cards altogether (I mean...you don't HAVE to play cards?) I'm sorry because this is not a major problem...but I hate to give up something that I used to enjoy so much... Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 56 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,138 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $280 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 35 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11
17 years ago 0 2631 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey you guys! I just want to say thank you soooooo much for all of the replies. I was feeling a little bit stupid for asking the question because my concern re: conquering triggers is minor compared to what some people have on their plates. What makes me feel so thankful is that so many of you took the time to answer my question and understood that even if it was minor, it was important to me. I am going to take ALL of your advice...and start dealing with this trigger as soon as possible. Thanks again... Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 57 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,148 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $285 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 51 [B]Seconds:[/B] 47
17 years ago 0 2039 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, why don't you try easing your way back slowly. I play darts every Friday night, but when they made that smoke free I got used to it. That's a bit different though, because I couldn't smoke even if I wanted to. Its probably not that way with cards. I think I'd ease into though, and if it gets to be too much, back off for a bit. Try it out. You'll be OK, I know you will!!! cheers, Jan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/16/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 22 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 668 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $198 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 2 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 17 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
17 years ago 0 583 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, You should try to play a little at a time. Get you something else to do. Like maybe some pretzals, or hot tea. I am sure there is a lot of things you can do instead of smoking. Cooking dinner is still a huge trigger for me. I like to take a break before I start. You just have to find your own coping devise for this. Once you do it will be fine. Congrates on 56 days smoke free. Nothing is to minor here. Besides some thing minor to us, might be something someone else is also struggling with... Grace [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 8/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 91 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,828 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $364 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 23
17 years ago 0 2830 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, First of all, you have NOTHING to be sorry about! There's no such thing as a "minor" issue when you're quitting smoking because I guarantee you that there are others who are having the same issue... perhaps not with playing cards, but maybe with driving or talking on the phone or after eating and the advice that you get could very likely help somebody else. So, you have nothing to be sorry about! It's a very good questions. The thing with most triggers is that the more you do it, the easier it will get and the less you will start to crave. I'm not sure that it's necessary to play cards EVERY night unless you really want to... but yes, playing cards is definitely something I think you should do and the more you do it, the less of a trigger it will be. I don't think you should avoid it all together because you LIKE playing cards! Avoiding it will seem like a punishment for having quit smoking and you don't want yourself to think that quitting is punishing in any way! For me, my trigger is, was and probably always will be the bar. And yes, when I go out, there are sometimes some pretty intense cravings. But it's not as often as it used to be and I've gotten to the point where even the cravings don't bother me... it might last a few seconds and then it's done. And I'm sure that playing cards will become that way for you too. I always thought driving would be my biggest trigger, but I can't remember the last time I had a craving while in my car! It's funny what becomes a tough trigger and what doesn't. But either way, you can't stop living your life and you can't stop enjoying your life and if playing cards is what you enjoy, then by all means do it!!! And have a good time and I hope that the cravings DO cease for you soon! Crave the Quit! Pam [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 10/28/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 374 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 9,373 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1544.62 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 27 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 25
17 years ago 0 3131 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy a great big bag of chips, did the trick for me, kept my hands busy, but of course I gained 15 pounds LOL. still not smoking.... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 147 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,213 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $588 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 19 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 57 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14
17 years ago 0 2838 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
The computer itself was a big trigger for me. I made labels and have them posted around the monitor: No Smoking; NOPE; You are just a puff away from a pack a day; etc.... On a bulletin board behind my desk at home and work, I downloaded ugly photos of smoking people, cute anti-smoking cartoons, etc... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 60 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,019 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $480 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 5 [B]Mins:[/B] 6 [B]Seconds:[/B] 8
17 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Ditto to N2K's post. The more you do the more you will make non smoking memories on top of the old smoking memories. As long as you know you are not going to smoke, keep playing cards. Keep playing without smoking. Keep showing Nicodemon who is boss ... and that is YOU! Eventually you will desensitize just as N2K stated. This is what worked for me as well. Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 179 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,396 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $716 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 15 [B]Hrs:[/B] 3 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18
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17 years ago 0 2436 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi windy, You have gotten some great advice here... I would just like to add - keep a pulse on yourself. If you are feeling very grounded in yout Quit - that may be a good time to get back into playing cards - but do it a little at a time... Being in touch w/where you are and when you are the most vulnerable will support you in taking good care of YOU, especially when it comes to playing cards... Take it one step at a time, and when you are feeling most vulnerable maybe that's not the time to do cards. Trust your intuition, friend!! Many Blessings- Healer [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 247 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,646 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1148.55 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 32 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 56

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