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low self esteem


17 years ago 0 2436 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
HI jlh53179 - For me, this journey is about a brand new me, a me that I vaguely recognize at times ... And I find that some days, even now, I am so very fragile... By that, I mean fear comes up some days - I may even be jumpy at the smallest things. I am unsure of myself also at times (which seldom happened when I was lighting up as a crutch and hiding behind the smoke) and I just find that there are emotions that pop in from time to time that I don't recognize or remember. Smoking just kept a huge, thick steel wall between me and life... See if it helps to stay focused on the present moment... It sounds like you're not grounded and did we ever even know what grounded meant when we smoked? - being grounded can make all the difference in the world when it comes to self-esteem and coping skills, dear one... You're doing beautifully! Are you rewarding yourself? Blessings and Love- Healer [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 338 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,859 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1571.7 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 7 [B]Mins:[/B] 28 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12
17 years ago 0 519 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Audrey: Thank you for putting this in perspective, my dogs' perspective. It is funny in a way. Thank goodness I don't have children. I'd be handing out diapers telling them to change their own. The poor puppies must think I've lost my mind. I'll bet they like being smoke free though. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/27/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 353 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $110 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 13 [B]Mins:[/B] 16 [B]Seconds:[/B] 30
17 years ago 0 519 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Quitting smoking is complicated, that's for sure. Smoking was such an integral part of my being, that not smoking means I'm not me anymore. If I'm not me, then who am I anyway! It's not surprising that someone might think that people they love will leave them since they aren't the same person anymore. For that to be true, looking at it logically, then the friends and boyfriend is attracted to the cigarettes, not the person. This isn't true no matter how it's stretched! I've never heard one person ever say "I adore my spouse/partner because they smoke". Never. It's a notion that cigarettes puts into our head. Like when we were kids, convinced that cigarettes made us wiser and more sophisticated and our friends liked us because we were so cool and with-it. I've been coping with feeling different myself. As in not normal. Not myself. Yesterday a woman I know said "I hardly recognized you without a cigarette in your hand". Another person said a day or two ago, "You're sneaking up on me, I always used to know you were coming by your cough." I know I'm not my normal self. I'm tired all the time. My gym membership goes unused. Gad I wish I could run. I can barely walk. I had to put down puppy pads for the dogs to use because I cannot even take them for a walk around the block. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/27/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 11 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 344 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $110 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 21 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15
17 years ago 0 22 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
jlh53179, I had the exact same problems my last quit. It was at my 6 mo point too. I eventually went to my doctor, she put me on paxil... for anxiety... It help me. I felt like my husband was cheating and wanting to (secretly)leave me. I felt insecure and inferior to everything and everyone. I thought my friends were being "mean" to me. It was crazy....I knew it wasn't real deep down inside but I was so upset all the time over nothing! It was complete paranoia (sp?). My advise...go to your doctor. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/6/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 0 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 0 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $0 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 0
17 years ago 0 682 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
You know its great that you are a non-smoker.... girl friend if I went from a size 6 to a size 3 I would be elated because I "looked da bomb"! Heck I would be "da bomb" in the size 6! Of course that would mean running 2 miles a day wouldn't it? See yourself for who and what you really are! Do you have other activities in your life? When you rest you rust...get with it! Does you boyfriend give you reasons to think he's cheating? Do you do a good job a work? See these things for their truth. If it still looks messed up...maybe it is???? I am an optimist at heart and try to be realist in my mind... doesn't always work! Do you need to see a Dr? We surely don't know but the Dr could tell you...give em a call! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 1/25/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 13 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 270 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $53.56 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 1 [B]Hrs:[/B] 8 [B]Mins:[/B] 29 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
17 years ago 0 5195 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
jlh... I have been quit for a long time now. I struggled through about a year and a half of my quit. I would get so depressed, have all kinds of doubts about everything, and every time I felt that way I wanted to smoke. Finally, my doctor diagnosed me with depression. This wasn't easy for me to accept. As a matter of fact, the fact that he said I was depressed made things so much worse for me. I totaly withdrew from everyone in my life except a couple of really special quit buddies. The doctor put me on medication, had to change the medication and I began counseling to help me get through the blahs and the horrible feelings I was going through. It has been quite a journey and it has been very difficult. I still have days that I want to hide behind the cigarette. You see, when we smoke, we use that as an escape or a way of feeling numb to reality. Once we quit, reality is right there waiting on us. Our addictive minds tell us that if we just smoke, we wont feel that way anymore. I don't believe that. I believe that I have come too far to turn back and go back to smoking. Check with your doctor. Don't be stubborn like I was. If I had sought help sooner, I would probably be a lot farther ahead than I am now. I am getting there with help. Some of us need that help. At first I was embarrassed and ashamed. Not anymore because I am becoming a more complete person. The first step to a better me was quitting smoking. The second step was medication and therapy. It is quite a journey but we only have one life. Make the most of it. I hope this somehow helps you. Lady [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 586 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 11,738 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2051 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 52 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 39 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50
17 years ago 0 610 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi jlh, Most of the time, quitting smoking really boosts a persons self esteem, so this is "different". Smoking numbs our emotions, so it can mask alot of issues. I really hope that you talk to a dr. about these side effects. Congratulations on 6 months free of nicotine addiction. Don't give that up; but take care of the other mental issues that you are having. My best to you. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/20/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 139 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,769 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $521.25 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 18 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 41 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2
  • Quit Meter

    $90,914.00

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 5961 Hours: 5

    Minutes: 12 Seconds: 16

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    45457

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    454,570

    Cigarettes Not Smoked


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