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So for the past couple of years I have kicked around the idea of quitting. Every time I start to get serious about it I just decide that I'm not ready to quit because I don't "want to". I've always heard you won't ever really be able to quit until you're ready and you have the desire to quit... but I'm starting to think that I've got that idea in my head as a good excuse not to quit. Thinking about it, all the people that have told me you can't quit until you have to the desire to quit are still smokers. I honestly believe a very small percentage of people who quit really want to quit.
I was thinking about it again over the weekend, as I often do after a night of heavy drinking and clearing a pack within a matter of hours, and decided since I'm on the verge of moving to a new city where I know no one that it would be easier to quit smoking then. My downfall has always been being around other smokers anyway. But then I realized that even when not around other smokers, just social situations in general are a big catalyst. I have always had pretty heavy social anxiety, and smoking has always helped alleviate that because I can always step out for a smoke and gather myself. Not to mention that's how I've met a lot of people, is just having a random conversation over a smoke. Well, thinking about moving, in that aspect, I imagine trying to quit will be even more difficult.
So here's my dilemma, I'm wondering if that thought process is just another excuse to continue putting it off or whether it's a valid reason to wait a bit and see how I'm feeling once I get moved (which will be two weeks, max). I'm 22 and I feel like the sooner I quit the more benefits I'll see immediately. But like abra said earlier in the thread, I love smoking, period. I have overcome other addictions and habits and this is, by far, the worst. There are just so many triggers for me... waking up, coffee, getting in the car, social situations, drinking, other smokers, stress, eating, not eating, being idle... I realize it's that way for everyone but I've never even truly attempted quitting. Anyway, this post was just a flow of thoughts I've had circling around for a while.
I truly admire and support anyone who is attempting to quit. You guys are much stronger than you know and I really hope you succeed.
Post by mizvalentine on Jan 16, 2013 14:25:09 GMT -5
Good luck to all the quitters, YOU CAN DO IT!!
I was a pack-a-day-er for almost a decade followed by maybe 5 years of occasional "drunk smoking". I think my last cigarette was around 2010ish, and it tasted so foul to me I haven't had one that I can recall since. Eventually, the cravings will cease and you WILL rewire your addicted brain.
My only advice is, willpower is often a finite commodity and if you're trying to quit, just concentrate on that. I know we're still in "new year's resolution" time and I think if you try to lose weight, diet, quit smoking, etc all at once you're setting yourself up for failure. Work out a reward system for yourself and cut yourself some slack. Maybe don't say, "I'm quitting smoking forever", say, "I'm not smoking today/this week/this month" and celebrate your successes as you accomplish them. And realize that you're embarking on a major physical, emotional, and intellectual change and allow yourself enough sleep, good food, exercise, fun, music, time locked in the closet and screaming your brains out (this works surprisingly well!), etc to compensate.
Anyone else currently having/had insomnia issues? None of the other classic withdrawal symptoms are really bothering me, but that one...
I did when I quit. Melatonin worked for me, as did blackout curtains, exercise and a white noise machine. No screen time for several hours before bed also helps, but that's not always realistic.
