Best of the Forum: Getting to the end of the First Week!

***DAY 5***

Karenhen
Post #11309.1

Well today is day 5 for me but yesterday and today I have been feeling so depressed due to family problems! I am starting to tell myself that now is the wrong time for me to stop smoking due to the stress I am under. I feel that I am about to give in and buy some cigarettes!

I have been holding out because I know that having some will not help me but I just do not know what to do. I can't seem to cope with the everyday things I need to do.

Answer from: Maia(MSMOJO)
Post #11309.2

I know how hard this is for you - I have been having a very difficult time lately too. I have also been asking myself if this is the right time to quit, because everything else in my life is so difficult. I've suffered from depression for many years, and have had a number of health problems over the past few years. I spent most of Sunday crying and I just didn't think I had the strength to do this. But it passed. It will pass for you too, Karen, and then you will feel better.

Please don't be afraid to ask for help, everyone here wants to help and have been through the same challenges that you are facing right now. Take out your list of reasons to quit, read as much as you can, call a friend, take a nice hot bath, go for a walk, do whatever you need to do to stay smober.

Don't look at tomorrow or next week or next month. Just look at today. You can do it today, Karen. I know that it is so hard, but you can do it. We can do it together. It will get easier, and the rewards are so worth it. You are worth it. I believe in you.

***DAY 6***

Scottymommy
Post #11495.1

It's now 7:55 a.m. and I'm having a terrible craving. I tried exercising, gum, and blowing bubbles, but nothing seems to get rid of it. This has been going on for almost an hour now.

In a couple of minutes, I have to leave for work (only day of the week that I can get out and go to work, I'm a stay at home mom). Will I have the strength to just pass the convenient store? God, I pray I do. I really don't want to go through this hell week again....

Answer from Anna (IrishAnnaBanana)
Post #11495.3

I can hear just how uncomfortable these cravings are making you, but I found and still find, that good deep breathing is the best way to cope with them. A craving is NOT A COMMAND to smoke, so just acknowledge it for what it is, let it wash over you, deep breathe your way through it, and relax. Try not to dwell on the fact that you want to smoke, smoking does not stop the cravings....20 minutes or so after you smoke, the craving for another one will be back!!!At least this way, you will ride out the cravings, and the more you refuse them, the stronger you become, and the weaker the urges get.Until the day when you know you are in charge of your own destiny, and not the slave of a deadly drug over which you have no control. Be proud of what you have achieved so far, don't give in, take it one hour at a time, and you will do this.