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irratation Cancel

1. cec57

   

   48 posts
   Registered:
   06 Nov 2018
   07 Feb 2020

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   hi i am experiencing alot of irratation and lack of self control this week. had bad experience yesterday and felt bad afterwards. i need to know if this will pass. its been over a month now that i quit smoking and on the patch now i am short with emotions. is this  normal. i did alot of deep breathing when i got home help me get out of that head space. any same experience would be welcomed as well how to handle this thanks
2. renee, quitcoach

   

   117 posts
   Registered:
   16 Jul 2018
   08 Feb 2020 in reply to cec57

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   Hello Cec57,
   
   Congratulations on being quit for over a month now! That is a huge accomplishment! 
   
   I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a lot of irritation and lack of self control. Do you think this all stems from the bad experience you had yesterday or have you been having feeling of irritation and lack of self control since you quit smoking? 
   
   It is very normal to miss smoking especially if you used smoking as an emotional crutch. It would be important to find another way to deal with stress, and deep breathing is a great one. Also try to remember smoking makes your stress levels worse. 
   
   We are all rooting for you!
   
   Renee
   
   
   

   Last modified on 08 Feb 2020 10:15 by renee, quitcoach
3. cec57

   

   48 posts
   Registered:
   06 Nov 2018
   09 Feb 2020 in reply to renee, quitcoach

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   thanks renee smoking definitley was for my emotional ways. however i guess i need to learn differenent ways to cope. deep breathing i have been practicing alot really helps me to calm down. i have had good days since my posting . so any other suggestions is welcome for in the instant irritation positive self talk as well has been helpful.
4. efram, quit coach

   

   235 posts
   Registered:
   29 Nov 2017
   10 Feb 2020

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   Hi cec57,
   
   Nice to hear that you've had some good days recently! You're on the right track with practicing deep breathing and positive self-talk. Irritation may also lessen naturally as withdrawals ease up (the patch lessens withdrawal but it's normal to still notice symptoms).
   
   There was a helpful suggestion on another thread ("4 Days and Counting") from justfortoday, and I'm copying it here just in case you missed it (thanks, justfortoday!):
   
   "Not sure if you're interested, but about four weeks into my quit I started to do some mindfulness meditation as suggested by my husband (who smoked two packs a day until he quit about thirteen years ago). After I rolled my eyes behind his back, I started to dabble into it. And you know what? It really helped with the entire process of quitting." 

   Last modified on 10 Feb 2020 10:06 by efram, quit coach
5. 2020vision

   

   20 posts
   Registered:
   09 Jan 2020
   10 Feb 2020 in reply to cec57

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   Hi cec57,
   
   I too have days where I want to scream with frustration at anybody/everybody, and I definitely think it's due to my body coming to terms with not smoking, and I refuse to give in.  Deep breathing has helped me a lot, and I am watching more tv than ever. 
   
   I know that justfortoday has recommended meditation, which I have put on my to do list.
6. cec57

   

   48 posts
   Registered:
   06 Nov 2018
   16 Feb 2020

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   thanks efram and2020 vision for your comments and support
   day 41 for quting and things such as irritation has passed . i feel happier in being in self control. i pray and deep breath and look up ways to cope with when i am short with patience. a good way is to walk away from the situation if i am at the peek of my frustration take a deep breath pray . also take deep breaths count to ten.meditate on good things this  has helped also. i bought a water bottle and use a variety of flavors in my water i find this to be soothing.thanks 2020 for sharing your experience of being frustrated at times t it helps me to see i am not alone. i do alot of reading and tv watching to. i have to remind myself that i smoked over 35 years and that it takes time to remove that old habit of smoking and using it as a crutch.besides smoking for the nicotine i used it for my emotions so there is alot of work to be done. one step at a time. thanks everyone
   
7. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   17 Feb 2020 in reply to cec57

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   Hi cec57!
   
   You are doing an amazing thing here, and congratulations on the smoke free days behind you!
   
   I smoked for 40 plus years and it was such a part of my identity I really have to work on redefining who I want to be.  And you are absolutely right, the emotional dependency is trickier than the nicotine addiction.  
   
   My cravings, and craziness, are in direct proportion to my emotional state on the day.  After 5 1/2 months I can still feel that irritation creep up and I just want to smoke. But seriously, it's just uncomfortable at most and passes quickly. I follow your strategies... take deep breaths, walk away as well as reminding myself I'm a recovering smoker and it's ok if it's hard.
   
   You really sound like you have the right attitude for sure and I have no doubt you got this!
   
   Keep doing what you're doing because you're doing it brilliantly!!
   
   
   
8. cec57

   

   48 posts
   Registered:
   06 Nov 2018
   18 Feb 2020 in reply to justfortoday

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   thanks justfortoday
   like you said smoking was part of my identity. Now the work to redefining who i want to be without that smoke.Changes are really necessary . thxs for your input.