2 weeks, 1 day, and counting

Today is my 15th day.

Things I've learned:

I've been smoking for over 20 years, and I've never stopped for as long as I
have now. I've only really tried to stop 3 or 4 times in the past, but
looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really wanted to then. In a funny
way, I think I secretly enjoyed the fact I was "unable" to stop.

The most important thing I've learned: I don't need cigarettes to live. I
can quite happily not smoke, and the world still goes on rotating, and the
sky doesn't fall on my head. When I started this quit, I was determined to
just look at the positives and try to ignore the negatives. If I crave for
a smoke it's good because it means my body is getting over the last 20/25
years. All I need to do is *NOT* put a cigarette in my mouth, how hard can
that be?!

I haven't been sleeping as well as I used to, however, I wake up feeling
better. I never, ever, used to wake during the night (for UK readers, I
even slept though the "Storm of October 1987", in a tent, on the South
Coast! - I woke up to find my tent flattened, and the entire campsite
destroyed around me... I had quite a nice sleep!). I now wake a couple of
times during the night, and I wake up earlier in the morning, however, I
feel much better in the morning. I've never been a "morning person", but
I'm starting to wonder if that was just down to the cigarettes.

I never used to remember my dreams. Maybe I'd remember one or two every 6
months or so, but that was about it. Now, virtually every morning when I
wake I can remember my dreams, sometimes 3 or 4 in one night! - I know this
sounds like a small thing, but it isn't! I'm amazed by some of the dreams
I've been having/remembering. I did dream about smoking last night, but I
think that was a positive dream because in the dream I smoked, and then was
very cross with myself to doing so! (although I did enjoy it!). But hey, if
I still smoke in dreams that it's a good thing. It isn't bad for me, and
doesn't cost me anything.

I've been very careful to not try and think about the money. I switched to
rolling my own about 5 years ago, so it's only been costing me around £12
($24) a week since. While it's obviously nice not to spend that, it's not
the same sort of financial saving I'd be making if I wasn't previously
rolling my own. However, it is very nice not to have to worry about having
enough tobacco/papers/etc every day.

I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big change in my sense of smell or
taste (yet?). The only thing I do notice now is if I walk past a smoker in
the street I can really smell it.

I've noticed a funny thing about friends: Friends who have never smoked
don't get the big deal (fair enough). Friends who have stopped smoking are
very encouraging, and friends who are still smokers are (usually) outwardly
encouraging, but I honestly get the feeling they're hoping I relapse.

I have one friend in particular who I've known for getting on for 10 years.
During that time, I've tried to stop smoking maybe once (twice including
this time), and she's tried pretty much every other week. I don't know if
this makes me a bad person, but I get satisfaction from the fact that I've
been able to stop, cold turkey, just like that, while she hasn't been able
to. I know that sounds really bad, but hey, it helps me, and maybe it'll
help her if she sees that I've been able to do it.

I can't and don't want to think about never smoking again, but each day I've
said to myself "I won't smoke today, I may smoke tomorrow", and that appears
to work for me. Sometimes, when I've really wanted to smoke, I've told
myself that I'll just hang on for the rest of the day, and have one
tomorrow.

I don't think about cigarettes every minute of every day any more like it
felt I was during the first few days! Sometimes I can go for several hours
without thinking about smoking, and sometimes, even in the morning I don't
think about smoking for an hour or so. Some days I hardly think about it at
all.

I don't need to smoke just because I'm feeling stressed. We're in the
process of selling our house and buying another, and that's quite stressful,
but I know smoking won't help.

I don't want to smoke today.

"Adam" <adds21@yahoo.com> wrote in
news:tjFek.136339$AH5.70562@newsfe09.ams2:

>
> Things I've learned:
>

You are doing so very well Adam.

Thank you for this post. Its nice to remember the wonder and awe of
the first days and weeks....first realizing I actually CAN not-smoke
and then learning so many other things, such as smokers stink.

With a bit of time, the feeling of not quite being myself goes away
and a new, healthier normal takes its place. This includes sleep
patterns.

With a continuing positive attitude and observant self-ego, I think
you're going to continue to have a very successful quit.

---
Wayne Baker
Nicotine Free: 11M 1w 2d 19h 37m
Not Smoked: 9,996
Money Better Spent: $1,649.34

Keep it up Adam - you are doing great! I LOVE this post - you might even
want to save it.
Gotta run - today is a 6 flags day - but you have a WONDERFUL day!
With hope and heart,
Kathleen

"Adam" <adds21@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:tjFek.136339$AH5.70562@newsfe09.ams2...
> Today is my 15th day.
>
> Things I've learned:
>
> I've been smoking for over 20 years, and I've never stopped for as long as
> I have now. I've only really tried to stop 3 or 4 times in the past, but
> looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really wanted to then. In a funny
> way, I think I secretly enjoyed the fact I was "unable" to stop.
>
> The most important thing I've learned: I don't need cigarettes to live.
> I can quite happily not smoke, and the world still goes on rotating, and
> the sky doesn't fall on my head. When I started this quit, I was
> determined to just look at the positives and try to ignore the negatives.
> If I crave for a smoke it's good because it means my body is getting over
> the last 20/25 years. All I need to do is *NOT* put a cigarette in my
> mouth, how hard can that be?!
>
> I haven't been sleeping as well as I used to, however, I wake up feeling
> better. I never, ever, used to wake during the night (for UK readers, I
> even slept though the "Storm of October 1987", in a tent, on the South
> Coast! - I woke up to find my tent flattened, and the entire campsite
> destroyed around me... I had quite a nice sleep!). I now wake a couple of
> times during the night, and I wake up earlier in the morning, however, I
> feel much better in the morning. I've never been a "morning person", but
> I'm starting to wonder if that was just down to the cigarettes.
>
> I never used to remember my dreams. Maybe I'd remember one or two every 6
> months or so, but that was about it. Now, virtually every morning when I
> wake I can remember my dreams, sometimes 3 or 4 in one night! - I know
> this sounds like a small thing, but it isn't! I'm amazed by some of the
> dreams I've been having/remembering. I did dream about smoking last
> night, but I think that was a positive dream because in the dream I
> smoked, and then was very cross with myself to doing so! (although I did
> enjoy it!). But hey, if I still smoke in dreams that it's a good thing.
> It isn't bad for me, and doesn't cost me anything.
>
> I've been very careful to not try and think about the money. I switched
> to rolling my own about 5 years ago, so it's only been costing me around
> £12 ($24) a week since. While it's obviously nice not to spend that, it's
> not the same sort of financial saving I'd be making if I wasn't previously
> rolling my own. However, it is very nice not to have to worry about
> having enough tobacco/papers/etc every day.
>
> I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big change in my sense of smell
> or taste (yet?). The only thing I do notice now is if I walk past a
> smoker in the street I can really smell it.
>
> I've noticed a funny thing about friends: Friends who have never smoked
> don't get the big deal (fair enough). Friends who have stopped smoking
> are very encouraging, and friends who are still smokers are (usually)
> outwardly encouraging, but I honestly get the feeling they're hoping I
> relapse.
>
> I have one friend in particular who I've known for getting on for 10
> years. During that time, I've tried to stop smoking maybe once (twice
> including this time), and she's tried pretty much every other week. I
> don't know if this makes me a bad person, but I get satisfaction from the
> fact that I've been able to stop, cold turkey, just like that, while she
> hasn't been able to. I know that sounds really bad, but hey, it helps me,
> and maybe it'll help her if she sees that I've been able to do it.
>
> I can't and don't want to think about never smoking again, but each day
> I've said to myself "I won't smoke today, I may smoke tomorrow", and that
> appears to work for me. Sometimes, when I've really wanted to smoke, I've
> told myself that I'll just hang on for the rest of the day, and have one
> tomorrow.
>
> I don't think about cigarettes every minute of every day any more like it
> felt I was during the first few days! Sometimes I can go for several
> hours without thinking about smoking, and sometimes, even in the morning I
> don't think about smoking for an hour or so. Some days I hardly think
> about it at all.
>
> I don't need to smoke just because I'm feeling stressed. We're in the
> process of selling our house and buying another, and that's quite
> stressful, but I know smoking won't help.
>
> I don't want to smoke today.
>

On Jul 14, 4:42*am, "Adam" <add...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Today is my 15th day.
>
> Things I've learned:
>
> I've been smoking for over 20 years, and I've never stopped for as long as I
> have now. *I've only really tried to stop 3 or 4 times in the past, but
> looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really wanted to then. *In a funny
> way, I think I secretly enjoyed the fact I was "unable" to stop.
>
> The most important thing I've learned: *I don't need cigarettes to live.. *I
> can quite happily not smoke, and the world still goes on rotating, and the
> sky doesn't fall on my head. *When I started this quit, I was determined to
> just look at the positives and try to ignore the negatives. *If I cravefor
> a smoke it's good because it means my body is getting over the last 20/25
> years. *All I need to do is *NOT* put a cigarette in my mouth, how hardcan
> that be?!
>
> I haven't been sleeping as well as I used to, however, I wake up feeling
> better. *I never, ever, used to wake during the night (for UK readers, I
> even slept though the "Storm of October 1987", in a tent, on the South
> Coast! - I woke up to find my tent flattened, and the entire campsite
> destroyed around me... I had quite a nice sleep!). *I now wake a coupleof
> times during the night, and I wake up earlier in the morning, however, I
> feel much better in the morning. *I've never been a "morning person", but
> I'm starting to wonder if that was just down to the cigarettes.
>
> I never used to remember my dreams. *Maybe I'd remember one or two every 6
> months or so, but that was about it. *Now, virtually every morning whenI
> wake I can remember my dreams, sometimes 3 or 4 in one night! - *I knowthis
> sounds like a small thing, but it isn't! *I'm amazed by some of the dreams
> I've been having/remembering. *I did dream about smoking last night, but I
> think that was a positive dream because in the dream I smoked, and then was
> very cross with myself to doing so! (although I did enjoy it!). But hey, if
> I still smoke in dreams that it's a good thing. *It isn't bad for me, and
> doesn't cost me anything.
>
> I've been very careful to not try and think about the money. *I switched to
> rolling my own about 5 years ago, so it's only been costing me around £12
> ($24) a week since. While it's obviously nice not to spend that, it's not
> the same sort of financial saving I'd be making if I wasn't previously
> rolling my own. *However, it is very nice not to have to worry about having
> enough tobacco/papers/etc every day.
>
> I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big change in my sense of smell or
> taste (yet?). *The only thing I do notice now is if I walk past a smoker in
> the street I can really smell it.
>
> I've noticed a funny thing about friends: *Friends who have never smoked
> don't get the big deal (fair enough). *Friends who have stopped smokingare
> very encouraging, and friends who are still smokers are (usually) outwardly
> encouraging, but I honestly get the feeling they're hoping I relapse.
>
> I have one friend in particular who I've known for getting on for 10 years.
> During that time, I've tried to stop smoking maybe once (twice including
> this time), and she's tried pretty much every other week. *I don't knowif
> this makes me a bad person, but I get satisfaction from the fact that I've
> been able to stop, cold turkey, just like that, while she hasn't been able
> to. *I know that sounds really bad, but hey, it helps me, and maybe it'll
> help her if she sees that I've been able to do it.
>
> I can't and don't want to think about never smoking again, but each day I've
> said to myself "I won't smoke today, I may smoke tomorrow", and that appears
> to work for me. *Sometimes, when I've really wanted to smoke, I've told
> myself that I'll just hang on for the rest of the day, and have one
> tomorrow.
>
> I don't think about cigarettes every minute of every day any more like it
> felt I was during the first few days! *Sometimes I can go for several hours
> without thinking about smoking, and sometimes, even in the morning I don't
> think about smoking for an hour or so. *Some days I hardly think about it at
> all.
>
> I don't need to smoke just because I'm feeling stressed. *We're in the
> process of selling our house and buying another, and that's quite stressful,
> but I know smoking won't help.
>
> I don't want to smoke today.

Thanks for the post! It is a wonderful feeling to realize that the
world functions just fine without us smoking. I never thought I could
function without smokes. I have discovered I've done just fine. I am
discovering that we all do just fine without cigarettes. Stress is
there whether we smoke or we don't. Life is much better without
paying good money to kill ourselves with tobacco. Keep on keeping
on. I'm glad you don't want to smoke today. Neither do I !!!

PreciousKittyKat =^..^=
Eleven months, three days, 22 hours, 5 minutes and 36 seconds. 6778
cigarettes not smoked, saving $2,033.52. Life saved: 3 weeks, 2 days,
12 hours, 50 minutes.

Adam I am so glad to hear you are still not smoking. You are doing a great
job. /me tosses snow balls to Adam to catch.

yes that is the right attitude, I don't smoke today. I can't think either
not to smoke for the rest of my life just sounds to absolute and far ahead.
But not to smoke for one day I can handle.

I know what you are saying about the smokers. I think they wish us to
relapse so they can justify there own smoking "see I told you no one on can
stop smoking"

sleeping: you will be able to sleep properly again, but I think and I heard
it hear from many people quit smoking in the first weeks causes insomnia.

I don't feel like smoking today either.

HappyPolarBear
proudly announces the following:
two weeks, five days, 11 hours, 59 minutes and 55 seconds. 194 cigarettes
not smoked, saved $79.95 to pay for her Vii.

--
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail"
I will not fail. I will prove that Bipolars can
stay quit too


"Adam" <adds21@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:tjFek.136339$AH5.70562@newsfe09.ams2...
> Today is my 15th day.
>
> Things I've learned:
>
> I've been smoking for over 20 years, and I've never stopped for as long as
> I have now. I've only really tried to stop 3 or 4 times in the past, but
> looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really wanted to then. In a funny
> way, I think I secretly enjoyed the fact I was "unable" to stop.
>
> The most important thing I've learned: I don't need cigarettes to live.
> I can quite happily not smoke, and the world still goes on rotating, and
> the sky doesn't fall on my head. When I started this quit, I was
> determined to just look at the positives and try to ignore the negatives.
> If I crave for a smoke it's good because it means my body is getting over
> the last 20/25 years. All I need to do is *NOT* put a cigarette in my
> mouth, how hard can that be?!
>
> I haven't been sleeping as well as I used to, however, I wake up feeling
> better. I never, ever, used to wake during the night (for UK readers, I
> even slept though the "Storm of October 1987", in a tent, on the South
> Coast! - I woke up to find my tent flattened, and the entire campsite
> destroyed around me... I had quite a nice sleep!). I now wake a couple of
> times during the night, and I wake up earlier in the morning, however, I
> feel much better in the morning. I've never been a "morning person", but
> I'm starting to wonder if that was just down to the cigarettes.
>
> I never used to remember my dreams. Maybe I'd remember one or two every 6
> months or so, but that was about it. Now, virtually every morning when I
> wake I can remember my dreams, sometimes 3 or 4 in one night! - I know
> this sounds like a small thing, but it isn't! I'm amazed by some of the
> dreams I've been having/remembering. I did dream about smoking last
> night, but I think that was a positive dream because in the dream I
> smoked, and then was very cross with myself to doing so! (although I did
> enjoy it!). But hey, if I still smoke in dreams that it's a good thing.
> It isn't bad for me, and doesn't cost me anything.
>
> I've been very careful to not try and think about the money. I switched
> to rolling my own about 5 years ago, so it's only been costing me around
> £12 ($24) a week since. While it's obviously nice not to spend that, it's
> not the same sort of financial saving I'd be making if I wasn't previously
> rolling my own. However, it is very nice not to have to worry about
> having enough tobacco/papers/etc every day.
>
> I have to admit that I haven't noticed a big change in my sense of smell
> or taste (yet?). The only thing I do notice now is if I walk past a
> smoker in the street I can really smell it.
>
> I've noticed a funny thing about friends: Friends who have never smoked
> don't get the big deal (fair enough). Friends who have stopped smoking
> are very encouraging, and friends who are still smokers are (usually)
> outwardly encouraging, but I honestly get the feeling they're hoping I
> relapse.
>
> I have one friend in particular who I've known for getting on for 10
> years. During that time, I've tried to stop smoking maybe once (twice
> including this time), and she's tried pretty much every other week. I
> don't know if this makes me a bad person, but I get satisfaction from the
> fact that I've been able to stop, cold turkey, just like that, while she
> hasn't been able to. I know that sounds really bad, but hey, it helps me,
> and maybe it'll help her if she sees that I've been able to do it.
>
> I can't and don't want to think about never smoking again, but each day
> I've said to myself "I won't smoke today, I may smoke tomorrow", and that
> appears to work for me. Sometimes, when I've really wanted to smoke, I've
> told myself that I'll just hang on for the rest of the day, and have one
> tomorrow.
>
> I don't think about cigarettes every minute of every day any more like it
> felt I was during the first few days! Sometimes I can go for several
> hours without thinking about smoking, and sometimes, even in the morning I
> don't think about smoking for an hour or so. Some days I hardly think
> about it at all.
>
> I don't need to smoke just because I'm feeling stressed. We're in the
> process of selling our house and buying another, and that's quite
> stressful, but I know smoking won't help.
>
> I don't want to smoke today.
>

Way to go, Adam! Learning that one can live smober and feel good
about it is a wonderful part of quitting and I am glad you are there
now. Keep on keeping on as there are many more things to learn/re-
discover the longer you stay smober.

I do wonder about your friend who quits all the time and does not get
anywhere with it. Have you told her about AS3 and the support we
give? I know this place is a limpchin in my quit and many others here
say the same thing.

FlatironMike
not smoking today
One year, five months, three days, 12 hours, 5 minutes and 43 seconds.
10390 cigarettes not smoked, saving $3,116.77. Life saved: 5 weeks, 1
day, 1 hour, 50 minutes.

On Jul 14, 4:42*am, "Adam" <add...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Today is my 15th day.
>
> Things I've learned:

Funny how different things look on this side of the quit.
I just couldn't grasp some things while I was still in the grip.


Are you a coffee drinker?
Caffeine seems to affect me differently without the nicotine chaser.

"PolarBear" <carmensk@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g5fkem$rur$1@aioe.org...
> sleeping: you will be able to sleep properly again, but I think and I
> heard it hear from many people quit smoking in the first weeks causes
> insomnia.

The sleeping thing is interesting. I've suffered from onset insomnia for
years. Quite often I wouldn't get to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning.
It's got better over the last few years, but if anything, since stopping
smoking it's got better, not worse.

I do wake early, and sometimes wake during the night, but this is no where
near as bad to be thought of as insomnia (in my case at least). Generally I
feel like I'm getting better quality sleep now, even if it's less.

Instead of taking 15 puffs of smoke, Adam spoketh upon us:

>The sleeping thing is interesting. I've suffered from onset insomnia for
>years. Quite often I wouldn't get to sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning.
>It's got better over the last few years, but if anything, since stopping
>smoking it's got better, not worse.
>
>I do wake early, and sometimes wake during the night, but this is no where
>near as bad to be thought of as insomnia (in my case at least). Generally I
>feel like I'm getting better quality sleep now, even if it's less.

The first weeks of my quit made the mornings better, but I could not
get rid of the insomnia until I stopped drinking coffee.

--
Tihomir 1Y1M, Knin, HR 44°N 16°E
http://www.quitbuddies.org

Quote 1324 of 8957:
"Either this man is dead or my watch has stopped." -- Groucho Marx

Instead of taking 78 puffs of smoke, Adam spoketh upon us:

>I've been smoking for over 20 years, and I've never stopped for as long as I
>have now. I've only really tried to stop 3 or 4 times in the past, but
>looking back on it, I'm not sure if I really wanted to then. In a funny
>way, I think I secretly enjoyed the fact I was "unable" to stop.
>
>The most important thing I've learned: I don't need cigarettes to live.

Congratulations on your success so far and thank you for a very
interesting post! I can relate to many points in it, and I thoroughly
enjoyed reading it!

--
Tihomir 1Y1M, Knin, HR 44°N 16°E
http://www.quitbuddies.org

Quote 4343 of 8957:
.... Actions are neither as good nor as evil as impulses.

"DavidL" <Dvd716@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:43d9d64a-b0fc-4116-a720-fbb3d0d11858@k30g2000hse.googlegroups.com...

> Are you a coffee drinker?
> Caffeine seems to affect me differently without the nicotine chaser.

Yes, I'm a huge coffee drinker. Prior to stopping smoking, I would have a
warm cup of coffee on my desk virtually all day.

I've read on the web that smokers "require" less caffeine, and I've
certainly noticed it. Without even trying I've found myself drink far less
coffee. Once I've got this cigarette thing beat, I may think about trying
to cut down on caffeine!

On Jul 14, 3:45*pm, "Adam" <add...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> "DavidL" <Dvd...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:43d9d64a-b0fc-4116-a720-fbb3d0d11858@k30g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Are you a coffee drinker?
> > Caffeine seems to affect me differently without the nicotine chaser.
>
> Yes, I'm a huge coffee drinker. *Prior to stopping smoking, I would have a
> warm cup of coffee on my desk virtually all day.
>
> I've read on the web that smokers "require" less caffeine, and I've
> certainly noticed it. *Without even trying I've found myself drink far less
> coffee. *Once I've got this cigarette thing beat, I may think about trying
> to cut down on caffeine!

We can work on that together.
I'm emotionally dependent on having a cup at all times.
I have no problem falling asleep (4 kids), but find myself waking
several times a night.
Then I wake tired and drink coffee all day.
The circle of fatigue.
Everyone here will tell you how important it is to drink water,
but..........