I guess I'm gonna quit smoking...

[James81]

I have one cigarette left and then I'm out of cigarettes and out of money until this Monday.

And, since this Monday is when I move to the dorms (of a completely smokefree campus) and will be teaching in a school during the day, I suppose the universe has created just the right conditions for this to happen.

So, whatevs. I'm gonna go smoke my last cig here in a bit and I thought all you fine people should know that I'm quitting cigs for reasons I never thought I would ever quit. LOL

I wonder how long this will last? I know it's gotta last until at least Monday.

Yes, I realize that to quit smoking you gotta be ready, you gotta make this clear cut decision to do it, and you gotta really mean it.

Screw all that. This will be my first foray into the LoA. I have attracted all the circumstances in which quitting is necessary. Now, I suppose, I'll be dealing with the thoughts that come along with it.

[moonrambler]

Just think how much extra money you'll have and how much better you're going to smell!

[WarrenG]

What worked for me was switching from cigarettes to cigars. Not the big ones, or the cigarillos, but the middle ones. Hamlet if you have them over there.

That way you can get over the habit of smoking cigarettes without dealing with cravings. Then when you've done that, you just quit cigars, which is much easier, because let's be honest, they're disgusting.

Not that this only worked for 3 years for me, so maybe this tactic has a shelf-life...

[James81]

You know what I find to be really ironic (and I actually laughed out loud at this)?

After I made this post, I went outside and cleaned out my car (which was full of stuff I've been carting around all summer because I've actually *lived* in my car at various times this summer), and what did I find?

I find an entire pack of unopened cigarettes on the floor under my seat (that must've rolled out of the carton and gotten pushed back).

So, what I initially thought was going to be my last night of smoking has potentially been extended for a couple of days.

How's THAT for the LoA at work? LMAO (What? You think the LoA only cares about us when we want to be good boys and girls? )

[NickTunes]

The problem many people encounter when quitting ciggz is that they are waiting for something to happen.

They overlook the fact that that "thing" they are waiting for happened the moment they extinguished that last cigarette.

So instead of waiting for a time in the future that you might be thinking is the moment when you are "free," recognize the fact that you are free from cigarrettes the moment after your final one. Your freedom from cigarettes started in that very instant.

So start celebrating now and recognize the truth in this. and BTW,

CONGRATULATIONS edit: when you do!!!

[Senin]

It means you aren't ready yet.

Come back and post when you are...

[ENTP]

Hmm. munch on those Nicorette gum/chews and simultaneously go "green"?

Then you avoid nic withdrawals but you still can enjoy smoking in a much healthier way.

Then you can transition to edibles so you don't have to deal with smoke-related risks.

G'luck!

[Cochonette]

When you quit smoking, I'll quit procrastinating.

[JohnnyHerrera]

I guess I'm gonna quit smoking...

- You should.

[SatvikBeri]

Originally Posted by James81

I have one cigarette left and then I'm out of cigarettes and out of money until this Monday.

And, since this Monday is when I move to the dorms (of a completely smokefree campus) and will be teaching in a school during the day, I suppose the universe has created just the right conditions for this to happen.

So, whatevs. I'm gonna go smoke my last cig here in a bit and I thought all you fine people should know that I'm quitting cigs for reasons I never thought I would ever quit. LOL

I wonder how long this will last? I know it's gotta last until at least Monday.

Yes, I realize that to quit smoking you gotta be ready, you gotta make this clear cut decision to do it, and you gotta really mean it.

Screw all that. This will be my first foray into the LoA. I have attracted all the circumstances in which quitting is necessary. Now, I suppose, I'll be dealing with the thoughts that come along with it.

Yeah, no need to obsess about it. My roommate quit smoking when he got engaged, and hasn't even had a craving since. It's not a big deal.

[moonrambler]

Originally Posted by James81

You know what I find to be really ironic (and I actually laughed out loud at this)?

After I made this post, I went outside and cleaned out my car (which was full of stuff I've been carting around all summer because I've actually *lived* in my car at various times this summer), and what did I find?

I find an entire pack of unopened cigarettes on the floor under my seat (that must've rolled out of the carton and gotten pushed back).

So, what I initially thought was going to be my last night of smoking has potentially been extended for a couple of days.

How's THAT for the LoA at work? LMAO (What? You think the LoA only cares about us when we want to be good boys and girls? )

Boy, one little package of smokes sure has got a lot of power over you, hey?

[ssandra]

Originally Posted by James81

How's THAT for the LoA at work? LMAO (What? You think the LoA only cares about us when we want to be good boys and girls? )

It's in my opinion a perfect example of LoA. It gives what you think about... you want to quit and you don't want to quit.

So it gives you opportunities to quit, while also giving you opportunities to not quit at the same time.

As soon as you make up your mind, LoA will give you exactly what you need for that. As long as you keep hesitating and keep going back and forth... guess withat LoA will give you?

[James81]

Yeah, but we've been over this before. I'm so over the whole "you gotta decide or it won't work" thing, because if I wait until I'm 100% ready, I'll probably quit when I'm 80 and have half a lung lately. There's a myriad of reasons to quit, and even reasons to smoke, and I've looked at both, analyzed it to death, etc. All that stuff that is repeatedly recommended in these threads.

I find it interesting, though, that circumstances have changed in such a way for me that it'll be easier to just quit than it will to try to remain a smoker. I have a feeling this is probably what I needed all along, because I simply can't bear to declare "I'm done with cigs forever!" Only to cave to a craving 7 days later.

For what its worth, though, this thread was made tongue in cheek.

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by James81

Yeah, but we've been over this before. I'm so over the whole "you gotta decide or it won't work" thing, because if I wait until I'm 100% ready, I'll probably quit when I'm 80 and have half a lung lately. There's a myriad of reasons to quit, and even reasons to smoke, and I've looked at both, analyzed it to death, etc. All that stuff that is repeatedly recommended in these threads.

I find it interesting, though, that circumstances have changed in such a way for me that it'll be easier to just quit than it will to try to remain a smoker. I have a feeling this is probably what I needed all along, because I simply can't bear to declare "I'm done with cigs forever!" Only to cave to a craving 7 days later.

For what its worth, though, this thread was made tongue in cheek.

Yeah. I am not finding it helpful to read over and over and over, "When you decide, all will be perfect." I mean, is that supposed to help me decide?

To me it's more about concentration than anything else.

I am going to concentrate on letting go of any negative emotions surrounding the decisions I make. Those negative emotions are what are causing me to make bad decisions anyway. These emotions are thoughts that are so deep within my mind, it is difficult to get hold of them in order to let them go. I just know they're there because I feel them, because they affect my decisions.

Someone said you have nothing to fear but fear itself. I find that I have this whole trail of fears in my head.... I am afraid of the upcoming fear about the upcoming fear etc etc. So I have to trace the whole thing and get at ALL of the fears together. Not just one small fear. It's one massive fear, many fears piled on top of each other!

So I just did a meditation on this (and last night). It seems helpful. Let's see how it goes.

[awdye]

I've tried swapping cigarettes for cigars. Went from a $5/day to $12/day habit. I found the cigars more difficult to stop. They actually have a good flavor, if you find ones you like.

Mmmmmm....especially in the morning with coffee. Nothing like relaxing on the back porch, meditating, journaling, smoking, and drinking coffee until I can't sit still anymore.

Chantix worked really well for me. After taking it, in about the 3rd week, the cigs just didn't do anything for me. After that, I noticed I didn't really like the flavor. Still don't. I think the drug overrode my sense of taste. Basically, I'd light one, take a few drags, and ask myself why I was doing it. Flick...

One of the few neat exercises the "program" had me do was go up a couple flight of stairs. The first time, while I was smoking, I was winded. 2 weeks after quitting, I did it again. Other than the feeling in my legs from going up the stairs, it was like walking down the street. Normal breathing.

If/when you choose...good luck.

[James81]

I finally ran out of cigs again last night, so today has been a smokeless day so far. It's interesting to want a cigarette and then resign myself to "Well, ****, I couldn't buy a pack even if I wanted one."

Not sure that will create a long term solution, but maybe circumstance will allow me to get a big ole head start on the cravings before I finally do have the money to buy a pack.

[wolfgang]

what's keeping you from bumming a cigarette?

[Gabo]

Don't disempower your decision to stop smoking by attributing it to factors in your environment. As wolfgang points out, there are other means by which you could be smoking right now, yet you have chosen to not smoke. If you can choose to not smoke when you have no money, you can also choose not to smoke when you have money. You always have a choice.

Good luck!

[Johnny Metal]

Hey, man. I've found a chart with timeline of how your body heals after you stop smoking, and at the bottom of the chart there are also personal stories with extremely graphic photos of what happens when you continue smoking, how it goes from bad to -> chronic cough to -> very sad and horrific.

Maybe you too will find the chart and photos useful:

Stop Smoking Benefits Timetable

[James81]

Had a grumpy evening. Actually, the past couple of days I have been dealing with some internal stuff and it's like my whole internal world is in an uproar. It's like all the weak spots in me are suddenly being called upon, or suddenly I'm being asked to stand on a crippled leg that I haven't stood on for years.

And I've been a mess all evening.

But, I also came across an interesting limiting belief that's been lingering under the surface:

I can't help it

I remember saying that A LOT as a kid. I just can't remember why. Have been thinking a bit about it, though.

(The more affirmative statements for that one was "I'm hopeless" and also "I'm on my own"....)

So, the rabbit hole (and the whole spiel on choice and personal responsibility that has been repeatedly coming up for me lately) goes a bit deeper.

[dream]

Good for you! While you are at it look up all 600 ingredients of tobacco. On the list is rat droppings. The popping sound you hear when smoking. Also check the amount of jars of tar that goes into your body in one year. I was an educator for a high school. This was the quickest way the students stopped smoking.

Good luck,
Dream

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by James81

Had a grumpy evening. Actually, the past couple of days I have been dealing with some internal stuff and it's like my whole internal world is in an uproar. It's like all the weak spots in me are suddenly being called upon, or suddenly I'm being asked to stand on a crippled leg that I haven't stood on for years.

And I've been a mess all evening.

But, I also came across an interesting limiting belief that's been lingering under the surface:

I can't help it

I remember saying that A LOT as a kid. I just can't remember why. Have been thinking a bit about it, though.

(The more affirmative statements for that one was "I'm hopeless" and also "I'm on my own"....)

So, the rabbit hole (and the whole spiel on choice and personal responsibility that has been repeatedly coming up for me lately) goes a bit deeper.

I have been (at least temporarily) letting go of a lot of limiting beliefs lately... but the overused concepts of "choice" and "responsibility" are seeming less and less useful the past few days.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

I have been (at least temporarily) letting go of a lot of limiting beliefs lately... but the overused concepts of "choice" and "responsibility" are seeming less and less useful the past few days.

Yeah, they've been major concepts I've been seriously looking at lately.

In terms of choice, it's trying to make peace with the illusions that are surrounding choice. And the illusions of freedom as well.

Or, rather, being able to deal with the limitations that exist within different experiences and learning to accept that, while I wish more freedom and choice was present in all areas of life, I am constantly weaving in and out of "worlds" with varying degrees of freedom and choice...but, ultimately, making peace with myself in deciding that if I choose to make myself a part of those worlds, then I learn to accept the limitations until or unless I'm able to influence them.

I remember a few months ago I was talking in a thread like this with rei, and I was describing to her what felt like a wall...and a bullseye.

But today, I'm realizing, that the wall is "people." And I am pushing against them and they are pushing against me. Or maybe I am just standing in front of them and they are walking towards me, and I am shouting at them and they aren't listening. They are heading towards a cliff, but they aren't listening.

Interesting little digression there, I suppose.

I feel like I'm about to give birth or something...the struggle is all there. Last time I felt this way, I had a major breakthrough.

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by James81

Yeah, they've been major concepts I've been seriously looking at lately.

In terms of choice, it's trying to make peace with the illusions that are surrounding choice. And the illusions of freedom as well.

Or, rather, being able to deal with the limitations that exist within different experiences and learning to accept that, while I wish more freedom and choice was present in all areas of life, I am constantly weaving in and out of "worlds" with varying degrees of freedom and choice...but, ultimately, making peace with myself in deciding that if I choose to make myself a part of those worlds, then I learn to accept the limitations until or unless I'm able to influence them.

Yeah. I dunno. I get caught up on the concept of self here. Like, who is this "I" who is choosing anyway, who is "free" and "responsible"? What is consciousness? I dunno, I do find the concepts useful, but not as much as a lot of others here seem to lately. Maybe I will find them more useful in the future, but for what I'm dealing with right now, they are only a small part, it seems. Because they're just more mind games, more logical thinking, when the key might just be no thinking at all. That's tricky, ya know? When it came to building general self-confidence, then I had to let go of logic, too... but it was a little different. I let go of logic with a new, primordial, unthinking/illogical logic: affirmations. But self-discipline is more than just a feeling, right? It's action. How do you bridge the gap between thought and action, as opposed to thought and feeling? There's an extra step there.

Maybe that's the solution. Whereas thoughts alone could change my feelings, thoughts AND feelings had to support my actions.

Logic -> Feeling (self-confidence)
Logic -> Feeling -> Action (self-discipline)

I dunno, now I'm being all logical again instead of actually working on my problem. Going to work on it now.

[Senin]

Originally Posted by James81

Yeah, but we've been over this before. I'm so over the whole "you gotta decide or it won't work" thing, because if I wait until I'm 100% ready, I'll probably quit when I'm 80 and have half a lung lately. There's a myriad of reasons to quit, and even reasons to smoke, and I've looked at both, analyzed it to death, etc. All that stuff that is repeatedly recommended in these threads.

I find it interesting, though, that circumstances have changed in such a way for me that it'll be easier to just quit than it will to try to remain a smoker. I have a feeling this is probably what I needed all along, because I simply can't bear to declare "I'm done with cigs forever!" Only to cave to a craving 7 days later.

For what its worth, though, this thread was made tongue in cheek.

I laughed when I read "Ill probably quit when I'm 80". LOL

You won't make it to 80. If you smoke, odds are, that you will die much much younger. Not only that, but you will probably have a tumor in your throat. But they can remove the tumor, and your vocal cords, and you can speak with a hole in your throat. But, your lungs will be shredded so you won't be able to do that well. You will have to suction the mucos from your throat every day. All that will put such a strain on your heart that you will die shortly thereafter.

Here it is in simply language.
Smoke= Die young.
Quit smoking= buy an extra 20 to 30 years.

Your choice. Wanna be alive or dead?

[nicholas tangaroa]

Hey:-D
I have never had any addiction when it comes to smoking, or drinking for that matter.. But what I do understand from my experiences, is that all you need is support! And, I really hope that you succeed! It is such an exciting time when one decides to quit an addiction:-D
I believe, when one changes their perspective.. Their willingness to adjust, is a powerful thing! Even if attempt one you do not succeed.. That adjustment stays with you, so don't beat yourself up if the first attempt is not successful..
So, good luck from down-under:-D
Nicholas x

[CroMagna]

Why don't you just try Chantix?

[SatvikBeri]

Originally Posted by Gabo

Don't disempower your decision to stop smoking by attributing it to factors in your environment. As wolfgang points out, there are other means by which you could be smoking right now, yet you have chosen to not smoke. If you can choose to not smoke when you have no money, you can also choose not to smoke when you have money. You always have a choice.

Good luck!

It's not disempowering. You can, and should, manipulate your environment when making major habit change. And as Steve says, "Your environment will eat your plans and goals for breakfast."

[wolfgang]

I like this thread with respect to how the environment or circumstances may influence what you choose to do and how to choose when the environment is not with you.

Not so much about why to quit smoking. That's too easy to discuss.

[James81]

This is the second day of a cold-turkey bint. Funny thing about it is, when I'm in the school (I've been in the schools this week), I don't feel the cravings. But when I leave, they are there.