Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

Challenging Worry

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-20 11:42 PM

Depression Community

logo

Hello

Linda Q

2024-04-11 5:06 AM

Anxiety Community

logo

Addiction

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-04-08 3:54 PM

Managing Drinking Community

logo

New Year's Resolutions

Ashley -> Health Educator

2024-03-25 2:47 AM

Managing Drinking Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Browse through 411.748 posts in 47.053 threads.

160,476 Members

Please welcome our newest members: DSHAIRRA PE, CLOVELY GRACE, kathleencabralmd, TestingDHA, JVICTORINO

Roller Coaster of a Day!


11 years ago 0 2778 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Donna!!!
 
    Excellent decision!!!  Try to keep things happy, upbeat and positive!  That will definitely help to minimize the cravings!  The nico-demon just hates it when we are happy!    C'mon, sing it with me... "Don't worry... Be Happy!!!"
 
                   Jim 
  • Quit Meter

    $44,197.50

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1057 Hours: 20

    Minutes: 26 Seconds: 23

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    5893

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    176,790

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

11 years ago 0 22 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Yes Jim your right my boss letting me go early is a blessing, I think more than I know. I was working just a couple days a week in a beer and wine store and of course we sold smokes. I am very glad to be out of there. I am thinking tomorrow is a big day, I am going to spend the day with my step-daughter and have a girls day. I think that will be fun, shopping and out for lunch.
Thanks so much for the support!!! Love this place.
 
Donna
11 years ago 0 2778 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hey Jenny!!!
 
      I also want to offer my congratulations on your new job... with MORE $$$!!!   Woo Hoo for you!!!!    Even though you are going to miss out on a couple weeks pay, it may be a blessing in disguise that your old boss let you go.  It may have been two weeks of more hell than you have gone through the last two!     So, you might as well celebrate the positive changes in your life and reward yourself!  Then tomorrow you can do it again when you get Heck Week under your belt!
 
      You have done so great so far and you have overcome some huge triggers!!!  If you can get through those, you can get through anything!  Stick close and holler anytime you need a shoulder or strong back to lean on, OK???    Well done!
 
                Jim 
  • Quit Meter

    $44,197.50

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1057 Hours: 20

    Minutes: 26 Seconds: 23

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    5893

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    176,790

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

11 years ago 0 22 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I have a number of things to keep me busy at home. These are the things I do to keep myself busy. Housecleaning is what I enjoy the most to keep my mind busy. I also like to bake, cook, gardening and I also have a puzzle I am working on. And of course if I am having a really bad day, I will be here reading these forum.
11 years ago 0 11213 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Jenny64,
 
Great work! You made it through some tough triggers. Very, very good.
 
It is normal to feel a crave to smoke when stressful and even celebratory things come up. This is because smoking was an engrained part of your behaviour. In the past, you would have smoked to relieve stress, to celebrate, to vent, to ease boredom, etc, etc. The key is to fight through these moments and/or find replacement activities to help you cope. It sounds like you are getting the hang of it. You called your sister to vent when you were stressed; this is a great coping strategy. What are some other coping strategies you could put in your arsenal the next time something stressful pops up?
 
With practice and replacements you will be used to the new behaviours and these triggers will begin to fade. Just keep fighting!
 


Ashley, Health Educator
11 years ago 0 1140 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Yay! You made it through the day without grabbing a smoke. 
 
My day wasn't quite as intense as yours, but I've had some very powerful urges today for some reason.
 
I keep reminding myself that a cigarette now will not have the same effect at all as it would have a few weeks ago.  A few weeks ago, stress would have lowered the nicotine level in my blood, resulting in a need to "re-fuel." Since there is no longer any nicotine in my blood, there is no need to adjust the level. Any anxiety or excitement I'm experiencing is actual anxiety, and not the need for nicotine.  There would be no "re-fueling." Instead, I would feel high and dizzy, as opposed to relieved. ...And I'd ultimately raise my tension level, since I'd have to ride out the drop in nicotine levels to zero again. 
 
...This is the story I kept telling myself today, at least. And it's worked so far.  
  • Quit Meter

    $22,495.20

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 601 Hours: 8

    Minutes: 46 Seconds: 36

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    4368

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    87,360

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

11 years ago 0 639 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Congrats on the change and the new job.......Dealing with triggers is all part of the process......triggers that excite the need for a fix....you can justify a smoke at any time for most any reason.  Keep focused on the prize.  Drink a load of ice water.  Read, Post, Rant and Rave.  But please don't smoke!  You're so worth the effort.  Please be sure your safety belt is fastened and your seat is in the upright position....Enjoy the amusement park.  Wheeee!

Keep the Quit,
 
Dave 
  • Quit Meter

    $50,398.74

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1122 Hours: 19

    Minutes: 39 Seconds: 25

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    5572

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    167,160

    Cigarettes Not Smoked

11 years ago 0 22 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0

I thought today was just going to be a normal day off were I could focus on keeping my mind busy. I got a call from my boss asking me to come in to see her. I did give notice on friday because I got a better job offer. I gave her my notice on Friday, she told me today that yesterday was my last day. So of course being upset cause I am losing 2 weeks pay I really wanted to just give up and go buy a pack of smokes and sit and well you know what. Instead I phoned my sister-in-law and vented on her. And alittle while later my youngest son phones me and tells me he got a job. EXCITING!! And of course I wanted to do that nasty thing again.
My mind is driving me nuts, everytime something happens good or bad I wanted to turn to having a smoke. Whats with that? Right now I couldnt even think about having the terriable taste in my mouth.
I have stayed smoke free today!!!! 

Reading this thread: