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This is kicking the hell out of me today! Cancel

1. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   15 Sep 2019

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   I try not to anticipate what my day is going to be like ... good or bad, I just try to accept it. But yesterday was hard, and today feels overwhelming. Today, day 13, feels soooo much harder than day 4! Hard not to feel defeated and scared that I don't have what it takes to do this.
   Wow ... this is a hard, and I will focus on an hour at a time.
   
   Very grateful to have a place to share this ... thanks.
2. nadia b, quit coach

   

   47 posts
   Registered:
   18 Jan 2019
   15 Sep 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   Hi justfortoday - sounds like you are fighting a battle, but look at how far you have come!! It's so weird how some days things are going good, then a few weeks later, BOOM - totally different ball game. I remember comparing a quit journey like a honeymoon/marriage. At the beginning it's all well and good, then reality sets in and...maybe not so much hahahahaha.
   I really like your outlook, not anticipating your day, just taking it one hour at a time.
   Keep in mind, those cravings/withdrawal symptoms are actual positive signs that your body is on the road to recovery (and making positive changes everyday). It's annoying that something good for us feels crappy at the begging, but keep up the amazing work.
   Keep distracted and motivated!! You got this. If you haven't already, sign up for the First Week Challenge Contest !
   Justfortoday, you definitely do have what it takes - you've done it already!
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   16 Sep 2019 in reply to nadia b, quit coach

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   justfortoday,
   
   2 weeks smoke free - congratulations!
   
   Those first 2-3 weeks are the hardest because you are dealing with so much mental and physical withdrawals. It does get much better though. 
   
   In those first weeks I was walking around in a daze, wanting to smoke and thinking about smoking all the time. I was so tired that i was in bed at 8pm every night, although I had a lot of fitful sleeps. But as I hit week 2 and 3 my resolve to not smoke grew out of a desire to not want to go through this withdrawal again. 
   
   Soon enough you'll start to feel better and realize you are healthier already, and that you are better than the addiction. 
   
   Hang in there. You're going to get used to the freedom of being a non-smoker. 
4. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   16 Sep 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   On more thing - those first few weeks you are a smoker trying not to smoke. in the coming days and weeks you just need to take time and effort and learn how to be a non-smoker. 
   
   Start looking for the positives. They are there. Think about what you're gaining, instead of thinking that you are losing something. 
   
   
   
5. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   16 Sep 2019 in reply to atp

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   THANKS ATP!  You are always a calm rational voice for me.
   
   Great tips and advice.
6. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   16 Sep 2019

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   Glad you're hanging in there and staying strong! Hopefully today is feeling less overwhelming than yesterday.
   
   Efram
7. wimporswim

   

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

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   Hi JFT,
   Hang in....Hang in....Hang in there!  One hr at a time will get you there.  Easier days will come - I promise.
8. treepeo

   

   832 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   16 Sep 2019

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   Hi justfortoday,
   
   You are right.  Quitting is really hard, and some days are worse than others.  But you know what?  In the end, it is all worth it.  You will breathe so much easier, and you will have the freedom of living life as a non-smoker.
   
   You are strong enough to do this, justfortoday.  Wimporswim and I both smoked for over 40 years and we managed to quit.  There was no magic involved, just a lot of hard work and determination.  You have made it this far, which tells me you have what it takes to go all the way.  Believe in yourself, and hang tough.  Remember NOPE, Not One Puff Ever.  And give yourself a pat on the back every once in a while.  What you are doing is extraordinary.  You should be really proud of yourself.
9. brightside

   

   2 posts
   Registered:
   18 Sep 2019
   18 Sep 2019

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   Congrats on 2 weeks!  It gets easier I promise but it will also get harder so take it with a badge of honor as not everyone can quit and it makes us strong.  I know for me any day after day 3 I told myself the same thing for each craving...I can have a smoke anytime I want but do I really want to go back to square 1?  I mean, once you have gone 2 weeks without a smoke do you really want to let 1 smoke make you start that all over again?  Do it for yourself, you are doing great!
10. merline, quit coach

    

    124 posts
    Registered:
    12 Sep 2018
    11 Oct 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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    Hi justfortoday,
    
    First of all, congratulations and I am so sorry to hear that " Day 13, feels so much harder than day 4".
    
    As mentioned earlier withdrawal symptoms can be thought of as recovery symptoms, a sign that your body and mind is repairing itself. Withdrawal usually starts a few hours after you stop and may peak in 2 or 3 days. Some people get through it quickly, while for others it can take longer.
    
    How are you feeling today?
    
    There are things that you can do to cope with the withdrawal
    
    1) Continue to let people know what you're going through and enlist their support and understanding.
    
    2) Plan some activities that you might enjoy during the period to take your mind off smoking. Physical activities can soften withdrawal or distract from it.
    
    I really like when you said: " I will focus on an hour at a time" and that's the best thing to do because quitting is a learning process.
    
    We're grateful to have you here and come back often for more support
    

    Last modified on 11 Oct 2019 12:05 by merline, quit coach
11. justfortoday

    

    168 posts
    Registered:
    12 Aug 2019
    11 Oct 2019 in reply to merline, quit coach

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    Hey merline,
    
    Thank you for responding, but I just wanted to point out that you're replying to my post from almost a month ago.
    
    In answer to your question, I'm doing extremely well and I'm grateful for the support I receive from the others here.