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Staying positive while quitting... Cancel The title field is required!

1. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   01 Oct 2019

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   Those first few days and weeks of a quit can be really hard. Dealing with withdrawal, learning how to be a non-smoker, etc. In the beginning it can be real hard to be positive about quitting. 
   
   One thing that helped me was looking forward to the benefits of quitting. I needed something positive to work towards. Breathing better was such an amazing benefit i noticed early on. 
   
   My other positive motivator was getting my 19 year old son to quit smoking by setting an example - it worked. 
   
   I looked at my stats today - 9 months and 6000 cigarettes not smoked. I can't give that up now. No way, no how, do I want to even try having a smoke. I have realized a lot more benefits of quitting that i never considered before I quit. 
   
   So what have others done to stay positive? 
   
   
2. justfortoday

   

   168 posts
   Registered:
   12 Aug 2019
   01 Oct 2019

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   Good Morning!
   
   Wow, 9 months atp? I hope you know what an inspiration you are!
   
   I'm four weeks today, and I'm seeing benefits I didn't even know could be possible. I had to smile when I read about your boy quitting, as I had a similar thing with my 28 year old daughter on the weekend.
   
   She told me that I'm an inspiration and my quitting has given her the incentive to do the same. Now, between us adults, my beautiful daughter has a bit of a competitive side … if mama can do it, she can do it. And I'm totally good with that!
   
   To stay positive, I've really taken the advice I've received on this site (especially when I thought I wasn't going to make it), on board. Example, cleaning everything I own that smelled like smoke (good advice atp), taken up yoga and each week I spin the globe and wherever my finger lands, I learn a recipe from that country.
   
   Not only do I try to replace smoking with something positive, I make sure I "learn" something new as this triggers dopamine in the brain (something nicotine has been doing for years).
   
   When a craving gets hard, and it still does, instead of fighting it, I switch my thinking to my behaviour. I ask myself, what would my actions be in this moment as a non-smoker. Even if my "belief" is shaky, I can manipulate my behaviour.
   
   I'm very interested to hear what others do to stay positive during their quit.
   
   Have a happy day!
   
   
3. atp

   

   501 posts
   Registered:
   31 Dec 2018
   01 Oct 2019 in reply to justfortoday

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   justfortoday, 
   
   Look at you! 4 weeks!!! and it sounds like you are really rocking through your quit now! 
   
   Look back at the last month - getting through the early days and now learning how to become a non-smoker and enjoying the new normal. Take a deep breath and be thankful you did it. 
   
   And it's nice to see you throwing your support to those starting on their non-smoking journey. That really helps both them and you.