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How do I quit something I started when I was 15!! HELP!!


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19 years ago 0 3131 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy that's the way to do it one day at a time, give the patch time to work, I noticed I felt better around day 5, you are doing it reward yourself :)Marie [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 6/13/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 92 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,394 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $368 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 12 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 20 [B]Seconds:[/B] 39
Free
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19 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Windy, First off let me say CONGRATS on your decision to give your life back to YOUrself! It is really exciting when you think of all the possibilities. [quote]I have been reading alot of discussions about people experiencing depression after quitting and this is a big worry for me.[/quote] [IMG]http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a17/Daniwiz/tomorrow.jpg[/IMG] Don't spend time worrying about it. It serves no positive purpose. [quote]I started smoking well before I was old enough to make good decisions so I taught myself to rely on cigarettes for EVERYTHING. Feeling depressed - have a cigarette, Feeling anxious - have a cigarette, Feeling out of place - have a cigarette, Feeling bored - have a cigarette, Feeling stressed - have 20 cigarettes, etc etc [/quote] I sounded just like you when I first quit. You are soooooooo not alone in these thoughts. But don't dwell on those thoughts. You have recognized the obstacle. Awesome! So get busy learning and practicing new healthy ways & coping skills to deal with feelings of depression/anxiety/boredom/feeling out of place/etc. so that you can overcome that obstacle. [quote]I have been using cigarettes to deal with all my problems for over 20 years and NOW I AM GOING TO GIVE THEM AWAY!![/quote] Yep, now you are going to give them away. Now you are going to love yourself. Now you are going to make healthy choices. Now you are going to pull you head out of the sand, which addiction buries us in, and you are going to live your life on your terms ... not on addiction's terms. You are going to give yourself all kinds of new life skills. You are going to have more time in your day because you don't have to feed an addiction. You are going to be healthier. You are going live longer. You are going to smell better. The list of positives go on and on. [quote]I guess we all reach some stage where the benefits of quitting outweigh the desire to keep smoking but today is a bad day and I really want to smoke. I am sick and tired of cigarettes controlling my life and I am sick and tired of being a smoker but I don't know what to do when I feel depressed, anxious, bored, stressed etc. [/quote] One big thing you need to learn to do is how to truly relax. Yep, relax. That is a tall order

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    Minutes: 58 Seconds: 36

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19 years ago 0 3368 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Your Welcome Windy. If there is anything I could help you with, just let me know. Fondly, Free [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/12/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 126 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,804 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $504 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 10 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 0 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

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    Days: 6354 Hours: 19

    Minutes: 58 Seconds: 36

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Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator
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Danielle, Bilingual Health Educator
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19 years ago 0 8760 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, Many quitters have felt just as you do and have gone to have successful quits. You are not alone. This is a learning process and much of your learning will happen through trial and error. Have a plan. What can you do when you are stressed? sad? anxious? bored? Follow this plan when these situations arrive. See what works for you, take out what didn't, revise your plan, add new items and try again. Some suggestions to get you started... Stressed/Anxious/Sad: write in a journal, phone a friend, post on the SSC, take a long bath, deep breathing exercises, meditation, brisk walk, physical activity. Bored: Try something new, learn something new, take up a hobby, clean, go out. Hope this helps. Danielle ___________________________ The SSC Support Team
Sparky
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Sparky
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19 years ago 0 3307 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, I have smoke for 50 years. It has been by my side since I was twelve. What is working for me is I make a to do list in the evening. When I wake up in the morning I have my meditions, this web site, I also do a long walk, and then I have my list to turn to. the list may include household things to do, call a friend, do something fun, go to a smoke free place. Whatever you choose, do it wisely so you are not setting yourself up for failure. Drink lots of water, juice, deep breaths, time outs, use this site and above all else don't smoke. Good luck and it is nice to see you here. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 9/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 5 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 59 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $15 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 0 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 48 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58
HealerWithin
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HealerWithin
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19 years ago 0 2436 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi windy ... There is so much information on this site to help :) Distractions are magical... find something to just get lost in when you are having a hard time... My favorite distraction is the bathroom tile... I would get in there w/bleach and a toothbrush and go to town. Before I knew it, time had passed, and the power of the challenge was gone. Also - walking helped me so much... well, any kind of exercise as it moves the energy through. I found help cleaning the house, gardening, journaling... find what works for you, dear one. Stay close to this site and post often... there is amazing help here and make sure to be kind and gentle w/yourself right now. Gentle down the energy around you and ask for support when you need it. One more important thing - make sure to reward yourself... it's so important in the Quit journey. Love and Blessings- Healer [url=[IMG]http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/healerwithin/lilfairy.gif[/IMG]][IMG]http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g31/healerwithin/lilfairy.gif[/IMG][/url] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/5/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 192 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,746 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $892.8 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 25 [B]Hrs:[/B] 0 [B]Mins:[/B] 1 [B]Seconds:[/B] 5
brentw1
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brentw1
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19 years ago 0 711 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Windy. I started to smoke when was 13 and continued for 33 years. So I know where you are coming from! [quote] but I don't know what to do when I feel depressed, anxious, bored, stressed etc. [/quote] The key for me was realising that the nicotine was causing all the issues in the quote above. Once you get free of this terrible drug, the depression, the anxiety, the boredom and the stress disappear. Bad days will still happen.............but they will happen whether you smoke or not (and I had a pretty bad one yesterday). But sooner or later, the smile on my daughter's face at a new acheivement, or the excitement of my son at his first girlfriend coming to tea ("don't you dare embarrass me dad!") and the bad day goes away. I hope that this provides some comfort.......but if I can do it..........so can you. Mad Englishman [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 12/8/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 280 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,962 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] �1400 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 46 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59
Lady
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Lady
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19 years ago 0 5195 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Windy and welcome to the SSC. I began smoking at 15 too and smoked for over 20 years. I smoked on all the occassions you mentioned and I'm sure most people here did the same. When I first quit, it was a very emotional task for me. I had a lot of other things going on in my life besides quitting but I decided it was time to quit regardless of the obsticles. Quitting is the greatest thing you will ever do for yourself. We all have good and bad days whether we smoke or not. So just start living those days without the cigarette. Things that really helped me get through those early days were taking really, really deep breaths and drinking a lot of ice water. You take your quit one day at a time, one step at a time. Remember N.O.P.E. (Not one puff ever) and don't light that next cigarette. That is how we quit. You can do it and you will be glad you did! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/1/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 439 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,798 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1536.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 38 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 14
Cheryl
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Cheryl
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19 years ago 0 534 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy, You have gotten alot of advice, and learned that there are many others here like you. I also started around 15, and the end of this month I will turn 55. It is not an easy fight, but was much easier than I expected. Mainly because the decision was mine. No one told me I had to. So one day at a time, just know that you are going to continue the journey until you feel like its over. Cheryl [font=georgia][size=4][color=teal] No Joking, I'm Still Not Smoking![/font][/size][/color] [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 7/4/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 437 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,508 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1245.45 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 57 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 2
Smokey the Bear
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Smokey the Bear
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19 years ago 0 17 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Windy...I to smoked for over 20 years ...started when I was 16...I hear you and feel for you as I am sure 99 % of the people on this site do. It is not going to be easy ...main thing is to take every day one at a time and not worry about tomorrow next week or next month...tell yourself "today I won't smoke"..and don't. Use this site and your Family and Friends when you get to the breaking point...it comes down to you knowing you have to quit...and we all know the reasons...so if not now WHEN? Believe in yourself ...you can do it! ...so you might be a little depressed or anixious for awhile ..that to will pass. Good Luck and Hang in there ;) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/11/2005 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 551 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 6,621 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1928.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 81 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 50 [B]Seconds:[/B] 27

  • Quit Meter

    $20,334.96

    Amount Saved

  • Quit Meter

    Days: 1105 Hours: 8

    Minutes: 27 Seconds: 44

    Life Gained

  • Quit Meter

    5490

    Smoke Free Days

  • Quit Meter

    54,900

    Cigarettes Not Smoked


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