Avoiding smokers in the begining was of great help. I avoided alcohol, I have only had alcohol one time since my quit and sense you can't smoke in public places here it really wasn't no biggie. I also tried my darndest to avoid my own pity parties.
Lisa
Hi Stickin To It,
Thanks for stimulating this discussion..................it's great to see what strategies were effective in dealing with this battle.
I agree that avoiding triggers and changing the routine or making substitutions is the key to staying ahead of the game.
Keep the comments coming members.............it's uncanny how many similar thoughts run through everyone's minds during the quit.
Faryal
I am listening. Are you nearby a community college? What interests did you have while growing up or what interest you now? My wife was interested in fashion design classes; on the other hand my niece was interested in chemical engineering. Activities are key both mental and physical. If it feels good sucking down fresh air into your lungs you are not going to want to ruin that feeling by smoking. The physical activity helps you feel better. The mental activity helps you to think of other things. Social activity makes the day go by faster.
“Idle Minds are a nicodemon’s Workshop”
That’s what I was looking for Henny Penny. I used my front deck like you used your patio. I don’t sit out there anymore because there is nothing to do there. It was my retreat where I could be by myself to relax, take it the world and smoke, smoke, smoke. I forgot that that used to be my special place until your mentioned it. I’ll bet you also will forget as well.
Hello Freespirit, I know it is kind of odd to let people know that you quit and we all know the reason for that, we don’t want to let them or ourselves down. However, I waited weeks to let anyone know except for my wife who knew the first week. I think it can help some of us remain smokeless because you get that “good for you” feeling from them. Always do what works best for you.
Reggie, you say time table or schedule changes, and going about what we do daily differently, and in a different order.
Some successful quitters have followed the “change up” path, the path that you have discovered. When we quit we have so many triggers to deal with, so, so many. In fact often we know not of all of them until they happen upon us. The change up can help you to minimize the craves.
If you use to smoke while driving to work or school, you could bring a jug of water, take a different route to your destination, take the bus, or walk. Or if a smoke was good with your morning coffee at work or school, then take that cup of coffee with you for a short walk, get some air.
Loose the craves by loosing or changing the old routines. Do it differently, different times of the day and in different ways.
