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1. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   29 Aug 2019

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   I know the answer, but I guess I'm looking for reassurance. Here's my fear: I endure the physical withdrawal but I never get rid of the feeling that things won't be enjoyable in the future without smoking. Yes, I know it's the addiction talking, but the thought of not being able to enjoy sitting in the backyard with a cup of coffee, or chatting on the phone with my friend without a cigarette feels impossible.
   
   I feel panic that I won't be happy/fulfilled without a cigarette.
   
   PLEASE tell me that this goes away. I just need to hear it from someone who has been through this.
   
   Day five … smoke free … but feeling very sad …
   
2. jenna c, quit coach

   

   58 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2018
   29 Aug 2019

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   First of all congrats on quitting and making it to Day 5!  It's very normal to feel sad when one is quitting smoking and making this lifestyle change.  The coffee, chatting on the phone and smoking with a friend, these are all of your triggers and it take time to adjust to them without smoking.
   
   Some people try drinking tea, water or juice instead of coffee until they are better used to being smoke free. 
   
   Other suggestions fro handling triggers:
   -Changing areas in home when you are on phone
   -Fidget toys
   -Short-acting nicotine replacement therapy
   -Regular chewing gum, straws, toothpicks
   
   The first two weeks are the most difficult days, so hang in there! It will get better and it takes time.  If you need further assistance, we are here until 9:00pm
   
   Smokers' Helpline-   1-877-513-5333
   
   Jenna C
   

   Last modified on 29 Aug 2019 11:56 by jenna c, quit coach
3. wimporswim

   

   65 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   29 Aug 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   Hi JFT,
   I promise you that you will feel happy and fulfilled again as a non smoker.  I can't tell you what day that will be but it will happen.  I remember my day 5 and I can really relate to how you are feeling but please hang in there and believe that there is a wonderful life ahead of you without the butts.
   
   My first puff was when I was 12 - my last was 968 days ago when I was 62.  I didn't think I had it in me to quit and panic would set in even thinking about quitting.  But I did it!  Trust me - life is so much better (and cheaper too!) without the smokes.
   
   I don't pretend to have any magic wisdom, or any wisdom at all for that matter, but you can, & you will win this battle. Easier days will come! 
4. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   29 Aug 2019

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   Hi Justfortady
   
   All you feel is normal, just part of the quit! we need to distract ours elf from those moments!
    we can use self talking positive, drink water etc.
    For sure tomorrow will be easier...
   
    One day at the time! you can do this! 
5. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   30 Aug 2019 in reply to wimporswim

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   Thank you so much, wimporswim! I had my first cigarette at 12 as well, and I just turned 59! Your words have given me a huge boost and because of people like you I will just keep moving through this.
   
   My son, who is a huge support (and never smoked a day in his life), told me yesterday … "The only way through Hell is to just keep walking. If you stop, you melt …"
   
   Thanks again, wimporswim.
6. jenna c, quit coach

   

   58 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2018
   30 Aug 2019

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   Good morning!
   
   Congrats wimporswim! You are almost hitting the 1000 days milestone on quitting. We are all here for you justfortoday and yes using positive self-talk, remembering the reasons you have quit, visioning yourself as a continued no-smoker and simply enjoying the benefits of quitting will help you stay quit!
   
   Hope everyone has a nice Labour Day Weekend!
   
   Jenna C
   
7. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   30 Aug 2019

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   I echo what the others have said.  
   
   When I first quit, I wondered the same thing.  Will I ever feel normal again?  Will I ever enjoy the same things I used to without smoking?  And the answer is a resounding Yes!  Now, I can't imagine talking to someone on the phone and lighting up, or reaching for a cigarette after a meal.  And I don't think about it when I am stressed, either.  Being a non-smoker will become your new normal.  You just have to give it a chance.
   
   By the way, I love what your son says about how to make it through Hell.  That is brilliant!
   
8. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   30 Aug 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   When i first quit smoking I remember sitting there and wondering how non-smokers go through life not smoking. I mean how boring is it to just sit there and have a coffee or beer and not smoke. Or to go for a walk and not smoke. It just seemed totally foreign to me to do those things.  
   
   As the days and weeks go by you get used to it. One of the first things was noticing how much better my van smelled when not smoking in it anymore. Now I quit in the winter, so that next thing was realizing I was not going out and freezing my behind off at midnight sucking back that last smoke before bed. Then I'd go a better part of a day without thinking about smoking, then whole days. By month 3 or 4 I didn't even feel like a smoke anymore. Yeah, I miss smoking sometimes, but not in a craving way, more like a distant memory that is best left in the past. 
   
   You'll become a non-smoker in stages. Look for the small changes. By now you probably will be breathing a bit better, you might even start to taste and smell things a bit more.  
9. jenna c, quit coach

   

   58 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2018
   30 Aug 2019

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   Well said atp. There are so many things to look forward to being a non-smoker and it does take time getting used to your life without smoking. 
   
   Benefits of quitting:
   24hr- The lungs begin to reject smoke residues.
   72hr- Lung capacity and energy levels improve.
   2 weeks-3 months- Blood circulation improves. Lung operation can improve up to 30%.
   1 to 9 months- Coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue and breathlessness all decrease. The voice becomes clearer.
   1 year- The risk of cardiovascular disease is halved.
   
   Be proud everyone for staying smoke free, you are doing it!
   
   Jenna C 

10. justfortoday

    

    168 posts
    Registered:
    12 Aug 2019
    30 Aug 2019

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    THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH EVERYONE!
    
    So happy you're here (well, out there, but you get what I saying), and know how much you're helping me.
    
    have a wonderful weekend.
    
    
11. dublinguy

    

    349 posts
    Registered:
    09 Dec 2021
    24 Mar 2022

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    When I started this journey I didn't think I would last because like you justfortoday, I had such a routine going on day in day out. Wake up straight down to the back yard to smoke two with a coffee. Then a shower and get dressed back down to the yard for a second coffee and another smoke.. then into work, sign in check my emails another smoke... and so on so fourth. Everything revolved around smoking. I can see now that it really controlled my life.
    Now when I go in my room I smell a nice fresh smell.. not a stinky feet sweat smell... my car smells better when I get into it, my clothes don't reek of stale tobacco. and I can see the difference when I look in the mirror... my skin has cleared up, Im not gray in the face anymore... im breathing better and food and drink all taste better.
    
    I'm almost 4 months into it now and all I can say is that theres no going back. The first few weeks were horrible with the withdrawals. And Im still learning to get by without the smokes but the urges are getting weaker. Each time I win I feel stronger and its almost like Im learning to convince myself that Ive beaten it. I can be pretty strong minded when I need to be and that's whats needed to fight this rotten controlling deamon that had us fooled for years.