Hi Ericon,
Yeah we are all different. Some things seem to be pretty consistent for different people though. Hell week, Heck week and blah week. The worst 3 weeks which I do NOT want to repeat ever. I eased myself gently back into a social life - out with non-smoking friends to a non-smoking bar, out to dinner with friends - all restaurants are non-smoking which I love (and feel inwardly smug when smokers nick outside for a puff.hehe)
I could ramble on, and indeed probably will, lol, but one of the things that has really, really helped me was something that Healerwithin said to me, when I was whinging about hubby smoking, was that I must protect my quit. (I think I was at about 4 or 5 weeks then). I instantly visualised my quit as a tiny sweet baby I had to protect and nurture and cuddle when things got sad. Of course it's also symbolic of my new non-smoker life.
This is really the definitive mind over matter experience. Now if I feel an urge/memory/trigger I refuse to see it as a "craving":eg something external that I have no power over, but rather as an irritating and irrelevant thought. And what do we have power over if not our own thoughts?
Breaking Free has also been inspirational, giving me much food for thought. The whole SSC has been a very strong,info rich resource and has helped keep me accountable.
I think that I personally realised I am over the worst of it when I could sit with my husband on the front verandah while he had a cigarette - we quit together but he caved pooor darling. (Mind you I still ask him about once a day when he's going to quit again!) In a perverse way it might have made me stronger - but then I can be quite contrary mary. :)
I think it's definitely not about waiting for the yucky feelings to go. You can wait forever & not feel obviously different (even though you are). You have to make the decision that you are different, be focused on that and stay focused on the positives. Take delight in your shining new self.
cheers
alison :)
Kick the Herb to the Kerb
[B]My Milage:[/B]
[B]My Quit Date: [/B] 5/16/2006
[B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 80
[B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,414
[B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1000
[B]Life Gained:[/B]
[B]Days:[/B] 11 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 40 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54
-
Quit Meter
$91,646.00
Amount Saved
-
Quit Meter
Days: 8965
Hours: 11
Minutes: 32
Seconds: 31
Life Gained
-
Quit Meter
45823
Smoke Free Days
-
Quit Meter
916,460
Cigarettes Not Smoked
