2 weeks off cigarettes! | Forums

[NonRedOrchid]

I'm really happy and I just wanted to share my experience Today I am officially 7 days tobacco free! I had smoked 10-15 a day for over 3 years and after recurrent bouts of tonsilitis, bronchitis and all sorts of nasty crap I finally knew that I had to stop.

It has actually been surprisingly easy compared to what I was expecting and even at this stage most of the restlessness, insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms have ceased. I can honestly say I haven't had many cravings or at any point reached a point where I considered lighting up.

What has really helped me was understanding that I had to fundamentally change the way I looked at smoking and instead of thinking about how deprived I was going to be, tried to completely focused on all the positives that I was gaining. Already, I have way more energy, I can smell things much stronger and I can actually take a deep breath without choking! Honestly, I'm so glad I opened my eyes and stopped lying to myself about the harm I was causing my body and my mind.

I feel like I was living in black and white when I was smoking and now I actually want to be outside living. Really, smoking does more than cause cancer, it really destroys your soul and stops you from really wanting to get out there and live.

If anybody has any experiences/insight/advice please feel free to share it with me!

Edit 1:
2 Weeks now! Feeling strong

[rlmergeuser]

That's awesome! I'm proud of you, man!

I don't have any advice, but I wish you the best!

I've had asthma since I was a baby, so all my life I've had the worst experiences around smokers. So I thank you for making the air a little bit cleaner in the world.

I've broken addictions before, and it always is such a refreshing feeling once you get past the withdrawal stage. At first you wonder how you can live without it, and then you suddenly realize how much of a hole the thing had made in your life. It's exciting to know that you can reverse the damage the sooner you stop. I personally had gotten addicted to an MMORPG for several years, and got behind in some things in life. Just this year I've finally gone out and gotten my damn driver's license (at 23) among other things.

[rlmergeuser]

The most challenging task for any person is to change one's outlook. So congratulations on managing this!!

[Retribution]

Congrats.

I often wonder what my life would be like without opiates...but then again i wouldnt want to know.

[LukeMSki]

I wish you the best of luck.

[stiggyhead]

I've never smoked cigarettes or anything so i have no experiencies to share but i do wish you the best of luck!

[emcee]

Good luck mate.

I smoked for 12 years and tried to half heartedly give up on numerous occasions without success. It wasnt until i decided enough was enough and actually wanted to quit that i actually quit and it was easy. I truly believe that if you really want to give up then you will and it wont be difficult. The difficulty comes when yoj think you want to give up but actually dont. I havent touched a cig in 6 years and have no desire to, and up until the day i gave up i was on 20+ a day. You can do it man.keep it up!

[IFTHISTHENTHAT]

Great job man.

I smoked for over ten years. Tried quitting so many time. You have to stay strong. The addiction really doesn't seem to completely fade.

I remember running into a girl while I was still a smoker, and when she smelt the smoke of the crowd I was in she let out a huge pleasurable sigh, saying "Oh that smells sooooooo good." I said, "Oh did you just quit?"

She told me she quit five years ago. I was like, sonnuva...

But with the birth of my son, me and my GF have fully and successfully quit, and it truly is a great feeling.

Best of luck to you, and anyone else who wishes to quit smoking.

It really is a longer battle than you'd think, but it truly gets better as each day passes.

[NonRedOrchid]

Thanks for all the support! Still going strong today minus the odd craving. I definitely want to keep this thread updated about my progress as it might give me a bit more motivation Life is good though, way too good to waste.

[IFTHISTHENTHAT]

I feel I could go on and on... but I'll keep my other two small additions short here.

I had a realization that smoking filled a good amount of my time, and keeping that empty space full helps from reverting back to a "what do I do now" kind of feeling.

Also, there is an element of how you never ever truly own a pack of cigarettes. The pack owns you.