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Battling my thoughts Cancel

1. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   23 Apr 2018

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   I have been smoke free for 5 days and 12 hours 😀. Today I have been battling so many thoughts about having a smoke. My NRT helps but there have still been so many thoughts. So frustrating. 
   
   quitfriend
2. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   23 Apr 2018

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   Hi Quitfriend,
   
   I know only too well how the "stinking thinking" can enter the picture. I have at various times looked at all the possible angles for having a smoke, but in the end my list of reasons for staying smoke free and my bucket list of rewards have always prevailed. By the time I have gone over these items, the craving has passed. I have finally declared "The war is over!" and simply opted for the peace of being smoke free.
   
   Eagerquit
   
3. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   23 Apr 2018

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   Eagerquit,
   Thanks for your understanding and sharing your experience. After reviewing my reasons to quit and pondering my rewards, I feel hopeful again. In the midst of the battle I had forgotten to review these things and to have patience with myself. 
   
   Gratefully,
   quitfriend
4. sarah, quit coach

   

   222 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   23 Apr 2018

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   Hello quitfriend - welcome to day #5 of your quit, and congratulations!
   Its pretty common to have those - as eagerquit so perfectly termed it - 'stinking thinking' thoughts, esp the first week into going smoke-free.
   It was a great recommendation to refer to your "Reasons to quit" list, and often the pros of quitting far outweigh the cons.
   Keep the quit and be sure to pat yourself on the back - often!
   All the best,
   Sarah
   
5. brieffree

   

   1477 posts
   Registered:
   28 Nov 2017
   23 Apr 2018

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   quitfriend
   
   Hang in you are doing so well 5 smoke free days deserve a regard, be nice with yourself, tomorrow will be easier. You can do this!
   
6. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   23 Apr 2018

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   Hi quitfriend,
   
   Most of us have smoked for so long that it is only natural for us to think of ways or reasons why we should give up and start smoking again.  But that is really our addiction talking.  If you look at your list of reasons why you wanted to quit smoking, you will realize that all of the effort and struggles will be worth it in the end.  Keep taking it day by day, and you will achieve something miraculous.  You will become a non-smoker.  You have over 5 days under your belt.  Keep the quit, one day at a time, because every day the benefits add up.  Slow and steady wins the race.
   
   Be proud of what you have accomplished, quitfriend, and remember, you can do this!  You are stronger than your addiction.
7. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   24 Apr 2018

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   Thank you all for your support and encouragement. It has really helped to ease my struggles more than once today. 
   
   Wishing you all a wonderful smoke-free day. 
   
   quitfriend
8. eagerquit

   

   415 posts
   Registered:
   07 Mar 2018
   24 Apr 2018

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   Good Morning,
   
   One of my prime motivators is that the non smokers in my family have commonly lived into their 90's. That would mean that I'd have several decades of happy retirement ahead of me as a non smoker. That option was closed to me as long as I was smoking. My dashboard tells me that in just over 6 weeks smoke free I have already gained 11 days of life.
   
   Eagerquit
   
9. Val H

   

   164 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   24 Apr 2018

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   Eagerquit,
   
   That is a good thought and an impressive gain. My dashboard seems to be stuck at 4 days smoke-free but in 35 minutes it will be 1 week since my last cigarette! 😀
   
   quitfriend
10. eagerquit

    

    415 posts
    Registered:
    07 Mar 2018
    24 Apr 2018

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    Hi Quitfriend,
    
    Your quit date is in the blue ribbon at the top of the dashboard. If that is not right you can hit edit. You might do that anyway just to get it going.
    
    Did you pat yourself on the back for another smoke free day?
    
    Eagerquit
    
11. Val H

    

    164 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    24 Apr 2018

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    Well, the depression and the nagging thoughts got to me and I had a slip. The good news is that it tasted like a dirty ashtray smells and I decided to put the patch back on. The previous patch wasn’t stuck on very good so that may have had something to do with it. I also realized that I forgot to take my medication for depression this morning. I’m feeling better now that I have re-affirmed my decision and I realize that there are so many things I can do to help myself other than having a cigarette. 
    
    Wishing you you all a great smoke-free day. 
    
    Quitfriend
12. meganon

    

    14 posts
    Registered:
    26 Jan 2018
    24 Apr 2018

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    I am three months using the patch on step three but having a hard go of it but will never ever give in.  Keep yourself busy whenever you get the urge go for a walk or whatever helps just don’t give up.
13. treepeo

    

    832 posts
    Registered:
    29 Nov 2017
    24 Apr 2018

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    Hi quitfriend,
    
    I am glad that you have realized that there are so many other things for you to do instead of reaching for a smoke.  And I am glad that you are feeling more positive again.
    
    And meganon, that's the spirit!  Never, ever give in, no matter how rough it gets.  It's just not worth it.  This darn addiction keeps trying to get us back, but we have to stay strong.  Giving in only makes us feel bad and hurts us.  You are getting there, meganon, hang in there.  You are doing great!
    
14. lillian, quit coach

    

    216 posts
    Registered:
    28 Nov 2017
    25 Apr 2018

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    Hi All!
    
    It really will get easier. You've all shown you've got what it takes and more.
    Keep on!
    Lillian