Day 1 with no analog

[Jason McRoy]

Haha, I totally believe in the mantras and self pep talks. For the first week or so, every time I thought I wanted a cigarette, I'd tell myself, "That ain't cool." It's largely a psychological thing, and I dislike anything that isn't "cool" to me.. so it made sense to keep reminding myself that it just ain't cool to smoke, or even think about it.

Yes, the psychological part has always been the hardest for me in the past. I actually never experienced too much physical withdrawal despite being a heavy smoker. The biggest withdrawal symptom I always observed was being sleepy. Not tired so much, just sleepy. I don't even mind that because I love sleeping so much! lol

 

[Mookie]

I can't even begin to count the number of failed attempts at quitting over my 30 years of smoking.

Personally I think it is easiest to just get rid of the cigs and only vape. Having cigs around is too much temptation. YMMV

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

Congrats on day one. As I'm sure you've already discovered, there's a lot of backup support on this site and all kinds of positive feedback making the switch from smoker to vaper. What I find that helped me also, is I have a few nonsmoking friends that I brought "into the loop" when I made the switch. Lots of real time feedback from real world friends. ECF friends are great, no doubt there, but hearing words of praise from people you know personally is always the absolute best.

 

[Jason McRoy]

Congrats Jason! It will get easier every day. Just remember to drink lots of water and vape as much as you want. I remember being amazed that vaping took away that hard hit cravings and another hour/day/week/month went by. Six months later now I will all of a sudden have a hard craving and realize that an hour or two have gone by and I actually forgot to vape!

Just a little advise. Try not to get lost in searching for the perfect, the latest and the greatest, other people's obsessions. I did that in the beginning and found myself more frustrated than content and almost gave up. It's easy to get overwhelmed with too much equipment, info and opinions. Lot's of great info here but just take it slow. Find a pv and a couple juices that work for you and just stay with that for a few months. There is no holy grail. In the beginning it should only be about staying away from the stinkies and reducing the cravings and frustrations as your body and brain adjust.

If this turns into a hobby for you than searching for the holy grail can be a lot of fun. There is lots of fun stuff out there but for most people nothing will ever be absolutely perfect. It takes some experience to realize you aren't "replacing" cigarettes because it is impossible to. That search is futile and only leads to frustration and possibly failure. Realize you no longer smoke and you aren't going to replicate cigarettes. Now you vape. Two completely different animals.

Good luck and welcome to ECF!!!

Good advice. I have definitely had the urge to keep buying stuff. I guess one fortunate thing of having limited finances is that I just can't do that right now! lol

I found myself drooling over some of the upper end equipment (Provari looks very enticing to me). However, I decided that since I like the device I am currently using I will stick with that until at least I am out of the woods on being off cigarettes for a bit of time, then I may look to this as a hobby for me. I love "toys" and technology so it fits with me in that way.

The only thing I am going to concentrate on right now is troubleshooting any problems with my existing equipment (none so far) and trying different liquid flavors. I currently have Desert Ship and Original. I already feel ready to move onto something more flavorful. I have been considering ordering some more juice today and a couple of extra cartos.

Yes, I learned a while ago that vaping is it's own thing and when I completely cut out the cigarettes I am still going to deal with some issues. Vaping is definitely making it easier already. Now it's almost lunch here and I have been vaping all morning. The original heavy desire to have a cigarette this morning has faded.

Thanks

-Jason

 

[Jason McRoy]

Congrats Jason!, Stick with it!

Thanks! I will!

 

[Jason McRoy]

Congrats on day one. As I'm sure you've already discovered, there's a lot of backup support on this site and all kinds of positive feedback making the switch from smoker to vaper. What I find that helped me also, is I have a few nonsmoking friends that I brought "into the loop" when I made the switch. Lots of real time feedback from real world friends. ECF friends are great, no doubt there, but hearing words of praise from people you know personally is always the absolute best.

I started this thread knowing I would get lot's of responses and advice. I feel that will help me stick to this better. It also made it more real that I am no longer a smoker since I have put it in "writing" and makes me a bit more accountable.

I have a ton of support from my friends and family already. My wife (who is also quitting but happy with the disposables we bought for her) will be helpful. My in-laws are excited about it. They have been wanting us to quit for a while. I told my mother-in-law about vaping and showed her my device this past Sunday. She was impressed with it. She is the CEO of a major medical facility in North Tampa.

I think I am going to make it this time. Even if I cave a bit today and end up having a cigarette from somewhere (I smoked my last one last night before going to bed) I won't even feel bad about it. I know I am heading in the right direction.

-Jason

 

[HawkeyeFLA]

Like I always say at work when a new initiative comes out. "Baby steps kids, baby steps."

As for the high end stuff, I know I want a GLV-2. Something about the whole design just speaks to me. But I know where I am right now (mentally, still haven't made my spreadsheet yet) for what I have spent getting started, and thanks to my banner I know what I've not spent on cigarettes. I'm not going to by any more hardware until I am "out of the hole." I am by no means on a fixed income, but at the same point, I'm not making bank either, except during peak tourist season when I can rake in the OT ...

The challenge for me, I used to be an IT guy, and always liked having the newest and best toys. That mentality has crossed over to vaping as well.

 

[Ratchet]

I found that following same routine helped me. For example every morning I would make a cup of coffee, walk my dog, and smoke on my front porch when we get back. I still do those steps with vaping. Also a stronger flavor / nic in the morning helps me get going.

Even 3 months analog free, I am also still following the old routine in the morning. I have my morning coffee and vape on the balcony or in the garage if it rains. that's what I've done for many years and I still haven't broken that habit - but - I'm analog-free since February!!!!!

 

[aggrobat]

I am vaping since more than six months now and I am sure you will do it!

Thumbs up!

 

[waynu]

Even 3 months analog free, I am also still following the old routine in the morning. I have my morning coffee and vape on the balcony or in the garage if it rains. that's what I've done for many years and I still haven't broken that habit - but - I'm analog-free since February!!!!!

I've been analog free since May 18th, and I too have kept my routine in tact in an effort to stay "quit". If truth be told, I love vaping soooo much more than smoking anyway. So, congrats on your success since Feb! It's great to hear that vaping is truly a way back from the dark side...

 

[Trackjunkie]

Congratulations and hang in there. Take it day by day. I agree with the others' suggestions, try to follow the same routine while obviously replacing the analogs with vaping. So many others have quit and and so can you. I believe that it must truly come from within though, if you truly believe that you need to and can quit, then you will. Keep your eyes on the prize!

 

[AngelVapor]

I remember when I gave up the analogs. Wow I needed support! I am from a small rural area and not one person I knew "vaped" so I felt sort of alone in this. I found this forum through research and information! Loads of support and information!!! I have not had a cigarette in almost 3 years now, yep I am still vaping! I still think about cigarettes every once in awhile, So many smokers around me but it passes so quickly now. I love how I feel, smell and how much money I have saved. Good luck and congratulations! Support your fellow newbies whenever you can because they may not have much support. Bless you.

 

[OnnaB]

I had my last "analog" at 9:30 last night. I worked all night, vaping my face off (love that visual...lol) and woke up about an hour ago. Vaping, vaping, VAPING! I am in the boat with you, Jason. Keep up the good work, one minute at a time, if need be.
Congrats and good luck!!

 

[Jason McRoy]

Thanks to everyone for your responses! It helps coming from people that have been where I am right now.

I am approximately 16 hours analog free (counting the time I slept last night) and it has not been that hard for me. I am still thinking about cigarettes but not really craving them physically. More of a mental thing like I have experienced before. But, I just vape again and that goes away!

I found out at lunch that my wife bought another pack of cigs for herself and is having a little more trouble quitting this time than she thought she would. She is having a pretty stressful week at work so I totally excused her and didn't say anything about buying the pack.

However, I used it as an excuse to go to a local vendor in my area and buy another flavor of juice! lol I was seriously thinking about buying a pack of cigarettes just to have around and decided I would spend the same amount of money on a 10ml bottle of juice. ha ha!

OnnaB: Good for you! We are in this together then! Cool.

Thanks again everyone!

-Jason

 

[RavenTai]

A few days after I started vaping I bummed an analog from a friend, tasted like what an ash tray smells like made me feel kinda ill, like my body was saying: "Really? not this crap again", for the most part i have not thought about analogs since,

There is one exception, a few weeks in I was out in the smoking area during break time at work, vaping as usual, I then heard the strike of a lighter next to me, the sound thundered through me, the sound was crystal clear in my mind, it resonated, I had a sudden strong desire not really for the analog but for the sound of a fresh cigarette being lit. vaping provided all of the ritual I needed except for that. it was a strange experience, it passed a few minutes later and have not noticed it since.

Jason like you said its in the mind, we are creatures of habit.

 

[OnnaB]

Jason, thanks! I'm still holding strong...22.5 hours! My GF just came in from smoking....erm...she smells...lol! She is inheriting my current eGo stuff when my new order gets here. I hope we are BOTH smoke free very soon.

 

[fskdc]

Good luck mate. I'll be joining you soon. I just ordered my first PV (OMEGA).

 

[Shadow2062]

Good luck and stick with it! Out of personal experience make sure you have lots of extra supplies handy! The last thing you need is to have an atomizer or cartomizer go up unexpectedly! Keep with it and you will do just fine!

 

[Jason McRoy]

Jason, thanks! I'm still holding strong...22.5 hours! My GF just came in from smoking....erm...she smells...lol! She is inheriting my current eGo stuff when my new order gets here. I hope we are BOTH smoke free very soon.

Wow! Cool. Yes, it would be excellent for you both to be smoke free. My wife will be there by the end of the week.

-Jason

 

[chrisz]

And you can buy stuff locally. Lucky you! I wasn't even trying to quit, just keep craving down while at work. And I would notice how bad they tasted after work. About a week of both, I just gave them up, midday Sat. Which I saw someone else post here, kind of funny. Been a year, and happy to be free! Good luck and welcome!