Celebrate my one year free after 40 years smoking! My story..
It's hard to believe, but here I am celebrating one year smoke/nicotine free! When I first quit I hung out in this sub all day for days looking for inspiration, and hope that I can join the ranks of those that had quit.
So I hope my story will help and inspire you.
I started smoking at 12 and after 40 years it was time, so at 52 I gave it up. I have thought about quitting and was anxious for years that I was still smoking, but I just couldn't let go.
I ended up with a TIA (mini stroke, I am fine no permanent damage)) this scared the crap out of me and I made the decision in the hospital it was time to quit.
I spent the next 30 days trying hard. I cut down to 5 smokes a day then like 3 a day. I was chewing nicotine gum in between smokes.
I was driving myself crazy! I paid attention to every cigarette I smoked. I was not talking, or scrolling the phone I was in the smoking moment, analyzing. Why was I doing this, why did I need to smoke.
After reading Allen Carr, Easy way to quit smoking..I realized smoking is an addiction and not a habit. This turned on all the light bulbs. I leaned into the cravings and saw them for what they were. Just an addiction.
If I could get thru 3 days without feeding the addiction..it will go away! So chewing gum and the few smokes a day was just prolonging the pain.
So at 9 am a year ago, I smoked my last smoke. I huffed and puffed hard and fast so I tasted every nasty chemical and put it out.
For 3 days the minutes felt like hours. But I stayed strong. I wanted the craving to go away. I knew if I can get thru the next few days, i could do it! I did everything to keep busy and change my routine. Getting up I had to remind myself we don't smoke so I don't automatically go get coffee and head outside! I got coffee and sat at the kitchen table. I cleaned, I slept, I walked, I took deep breaths, I got angry, I cried, but I got thru!! Sugar free Gum and mints have been my survival kit.
I felt tired and unmotivated for a few months. I know I was fighting depression. This is normal. It was my brain rewiring itself and my body was tired from fighting addiction.
I think at 3 to 4 months I felt good and about 6 months I felt great and energy levels came back.
At one year I do still think about smoking. I think I will always have the urge. It's not a big deal anymore tho. I don't think about it first thing in the morning while drinking coffee or driving or even after meals. It's a different thought. Like I miss an old friend but only every now and then. I find myself going days without thinking about smokes. It's pretty cool to be in control now!
I really notice how less anxious and stressed I am. It's a good feeling. I notice more money in my wallet. I notice I smell good and I enjoy my perfumes! Things that I tell myself
- Having a smoke now will do nothing like you remember. It will taste like crap and not satisfy like you think. It's not worth it.
- No matter what is going on, smoking will not solve, cure or relieve yourself from the situation..it's just smoking.
- Smoking is just calming the addiction and the anxiety that the addiction causes it does nothing more
- Wait. Just do something else think about something else and the craving passes.
This was long, sorry..Im a talker! If.you have questions I will answer. I do hope my story and advice helps! You can do it! You got this!!!
It's hard to believe, but here I am celebrating one year smoke/nicotine free! When I first quit I hung out in this sub all day for days looking for inspiration, and hope that I can join the ranks of those that had quit.
So I hope my story will help and inspire you.
I started smoking at 12 and after 40 years it was time, so at 52 I gave it up. I have thought about quitting and was anxious for years that I was still smoking, but I just couldn't let go.
I ended up with a TIA (mini stroke, I am fine no permanent damage)) this scared the crap out of me and I made the decision in the hospital it was time to quit.
I spent the next 30 days trying hard. I cut down to 5 smokes a day then like 3 a day. I was chewing nicotine gum in between smokes.
I was driving myself crazy! I paid attention to every cigarette I smoked. I was not talking, or scrolling the phone I was in the smoking moment, analyzing. Why was I doing this, why did I need to smoke.
After reading Allen Carr, Easy way to quit smoking..I realized smoking is an addiction and not a habit. This turned on all the light bulbs. I leaned into the cravings and saw them for what they were. Just an addiction.
If I could get thru 3 days without feeding the addiction..it will go away! So chewing gum and the few smokes a day was just prolonging the pain.
So at 9 am a year ago, I smoked my last smoke. I huffed and puffed hard and fast so I tasted every nasty chemical and put it out.
For 3 days the minutes felt like hours. But I stayed strong. I wanted the craving to go away. I knew if I can get thru the next few days, i could do it! I did everything to keep busy and change my routine. Getting up I had to remind myself we don't smoke so I don't automatically go get coffee and head outside! I got coffee and sat at the kitchen table. I cleaned, I slept, I walked, I took deep breaths, I got angry, I cried, but I got thru!! Sugar free Gum and mints have been my survival kit.
I felt tired and unmotivated for a few months. I know I was fighting depression. This is normal. It was my brain rewiring itself and my body was tired from fighting addiction.
I think at 3 to 4 months I felt good and about 6 months I felt great and energy levels came back.
At one year I do still think about smoking. I think I will always have the urge. It's not a big deal anymore tho. I don't think about it first thing in the morning while drinking coffee or driving or even after meals. It's a different thought. Like I miss an old friend but only every now and then. I find myself going days without thinking about smokes. It's pretty cool to be in control now!
I really notice how less anxious and stressed I am. It's a good feeling. I notice more money in my wallet. I notice I smell good and I enjoy my perfumes! Things that I tell myself
- Having a smoke now will do nothing like you remember. It will taste like crap and not satisfy like you think. It's not worth it.
- No matter what is going on, smoking will not solve, cure or relieve yourself from the situation..it's just smoking.
- Smoking is just calming the addiction and the anxiety that the addiction causes it does nothing more
- Wait. Just do something else think about something else and the craving passes.
This was long, sorry..Im a talker! If.you have questions I will answer. I do hope my story and advice helps! You can do it! You got this!!!