I'm at work today and I've left this open all day to check the responses you'd all give, hoping for a solution before I had to go home and face that "dreaded time" again.
I wanted to thank each and every one of you for your input - I GET IT NOW - can any of you see the lightbulb over my head???!!
I was wondering why I did ok all day and not during this one "instance" of the day. I was so preoccupied with replacing the action, that I totally missed the fact that it was JUST A CRAVING!!! I don't have to have something to do at that time, I just need to be strong enough to not let it get to me. It's really stupid, but I can't even tell you how much better I feel now! Isn't it amazing the things our minds can do to us?
Thank you all again!
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 5/25/2008 Smoke-Free Days: 9 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 180 Amount Saved: $26.10 Life Gained: Days: 0 Hrs: 21 Mins: 51 Seconds: 49
INSTEAD OF LIGHTING UP AFTER DINNER......I BRUSH MY TEETH, FLOSS, AND USE MOUTH WASH. I BOUGHT A NEW SUPPER DUPPER TOOTH BRUSH MY FAVORITE WHITING TOOTH PASTE AND MOUTH WASH. I LITERALLY STAND THERE ADMIRING HOW MY TEETH ARE GETTING WHITER NOT TO MENTION MY BREATH DOESN'T STINK AND IMAGINE HOW MUCH WHITER THEY WILL BE IN THE FUTURE. I DONT THINK ONE THING OR ANOTHER WILL MAKE YOU FORGET ABOUT THAT AFTER DINNER SMOKE EXCEPT FOR TIME. I HAVE ALSO PUT ON MY MIRROR IN MY BATHROOM A DECORATED SIGN THAT SAYS SHERRY THE NON-SMOKER. EVEN IF I AM HAVING A RUFF TIME AND SOMETIMES I WANT TO RIP THE SIGN DOWN AND THROW A TANTRUM.......I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED 14 DAYS ON NO SMOKING. I DONT WANT TO CHANGE MY QUIT DAY AND I AM SURE YOU DON'T EITHER. IT WAS WAY HARD............I DONT EVER WANT TO HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN..........AND I WONT AS LONG AS I DONT PICK UP......NOPE............NOT ONE PUFF EVER!!!!!
I WAS EXHAUSTED TOO.....IF YOU HAVE THE LUXURY TO GO TO BED......DO!!!! BE EASY ON YOURSELF.
Unfortunately, breaking associations can take a little longer than others. Keep trying out new strategies after dinner. Do anything different from your old routine and soon your mind will also follow.
Feeling tired & vivid dreams are very common withdrawal symptoms. You can learn more about them by accessing the WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS I MIGHT EXPERIENCE info sheet located in your MY PROGRAM tab.
Hey Moss...the mornings are finally starting to get better. Odd, it is such a gradual "getting better" that until I stood back and thought how bad it was before, it is better...not terrific...but much much better.
Kelly
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 12/6/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 180 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 5,400 Amount Saved: $675.00 Life Gained: Days: 14 Hrs: 16 Mins: 19 Seconds: 6
Just one more thought. Mornings are my bad time, like your evenings. Anxious1 and I could share some A.M. hair pullers with you, but you know what, we are both still here, it didn't kill us and we're both a little wiser. Remember that the rest of the day is better. When that SOB is tearing at you, remind yourself that this is only happening for part of the day. Look forward to the rest of the day. Remind yourself that you will feel differently when you get past this part of the day.
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 11/19/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 197 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,955 Amount Saved: $664.88 Life Gained: Days: 31 Hrs: 16 Mins: 57 Seconds: 39
Your post is a good reminder of the strength of the addiction. Can you even believe that you are thinking about returning to smoking after your hospital visit. Believe me, I'm not judging you. It took me a month after a serious health scare before I put down the smokes. When the going got real tough, what worked for me was to come here until I felt I could continue. Sometimes that would be for a couple hours. I also spent a lot of time breathing thru a straw for the first couple months. Movies were another good one because you can take your mind elsewhere for a couple hours at a time. I know these things may sound trivial when the dragon comes a knocking but it was the little things and small changes that get you through the moment to moment crap for a while. The biggest question that always comes to mind. Do I want to do this again? I know it will only be a matter of time, and probably not long, before I will have to do it again. If you are like most people, you are in the worst of it now. There is nowhere to go but up if you get through the next few days.. Good Luck to you.
Moss
My Milage:
My Quit Date: 11/19/2007 Smoke-Free Days: 197 Cigarettes Not Smoked: 2,955 Amount Saved: $664.88 Life Gained: Days: 31 Hrs: 16 Mins: 55 Seconds: 21
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