I'm Not Sure What I'm Doing Anymore

[Rotowoman]

I am truly baffled by my own behavior. I had to sit down and think about what was going on when I started vaping and where I've gone from there. Right now I feel as though I'm struggling like a person caught in quicksand.

When I first started vaping, I was amazed that I cut down so much on the smoking. The first week it was down to three packs for the week, and I had been smoking 2 sometimes 3 packs a day. Then probably three weeks into it, I got lethargic and somewhat depressed. That is when I checked into the WTA. I tried that, and things seemed to get back on track. Then I started having equipment problems. I let that stress me to the max, and even though I had gone for about 7 days without a cigarette, I HAD to have one. I bought a pack.

It's been downhill from there. I've been smoking now about a pack every 3 days. I DO NOT want to do this, but here I am doing it again. I think I have the equipment problems licked. Now I've been sitting down and thinking about how I want my vaping experience to be. I'm out of WTA and hesitate to order now with the Christmas mail being a hot mess. The only thing I have found just recently that has seemed to help is using a juice that is tobacco flavored. Plus I seem to like a strong throat hit.

I've only been at this a little over two months. Am I asking too much of myself?

 

[Nermal]

Maybe. By now, you should know that different people have different rates of success and take different amounts to get there. There are a bunch of us in the same boat. Do remember that the amount you have cut down is truly impressive. For now, why not just hold on to what've achieved.

Conventional wisdom has it that this is the time to increase the nicotine level. Anyhow, it isn't going to hurt.

 

[danca90]

Remember that everything is on your terms. The ones you don't smoke count more than the ones you do.

 

[darckeen]

Equipment problems played a part in my taking a two year long break from vaping. Thankfully the tech has improved a thousandfold from when I fell off the wagon. Get yourself a istick + nautilus mini + some replacement heads + bobas bounty or some other high quality tobacco flavor and you'll be set for having a reliable high quality alternative to analogs. Best of luck!

 

[Norrin]

First of all stop worrying about it!!!!! Your doing yourself a great favour by cutting down so if you backslide a little so what think of all those nasty cigs you have avoided and not the few you haven't. If you feel the need for an analogue then have one and be proud that you have cut back a huge amount. If I was in your position I would just muddle along the best I could till the new year, I'M ON A CHRISTMAS BINGE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, then in the new year sit down and try and sort the problems out. Maybe order some WTA so it's ready for you when you are ready again. Christmas can be a stressful time so it's really not a good idea to put even more pressure on yourself now as it's more likely to push you back to cigs than to force you to vape more. So have a merry Christmas and a vappy new year.

 

[beckdg]

It are not da EZ.

Just vape Ur face off during a craving. If 15 or so minutes goes by vaping like a lunatic and you still can't take it, alleviate the stress with a cig and reset. Find comfort in the fact that that cig is still there when you need it and you're doing something better for your health.

As you know, it's not all about the nic. It's a struggle. You'll get there.

I second the notion it may be time for higher nic.

Sent from my device.

 

[glointhedark]

Don't beat yourself up about a few cigarettes. It's not worth it. This is a stressful time of year, and if a few cigarettes will help you get through, then smoke. You are on the right track to successfully quit, so take your time, get what you need when you can, and take it one day at a time. Good advice that I have seen many times here - don't count the ones you smoke, count the ones you have avoided.

Best of luck to you. You will be successful in the end, despite a few bumps in the road. Remember that you have a wonderful, supportive community that you can turn to at any time, even if you just need to talk or vent.

 

[Ryedan]

I am truly baffled by my own behavior. I had to sit down and think about what was going on when I started vaping and where I've gone from there. Right now I feel as though I'm struggling like a person caught in quicksand.

When I first started vaping, I was amazed that I cut down so much on the smoking. The first week it was down to three packs for the week, and I had been smoking 2 sometimes 3 packs a day. Then probably three weeks into it, I got lethargic and somewhat depressed. That is when I checked into the WTA. I tried that, and things seemed to get back on track. Then I started having equipment problems. I let that stress me to the max, and even though I had gone for about 7 days without a cigarette, I HAD to have one. I bought a pack.

I second all the comments about not getting too concerned about the cigarettes you still smoke, rather concentrate on the ones you avoided. When I first switched to vaping I used to vape like a fiend to get through some of the cigarette pangs I went through. Got myself over-nic'ed quite a few times doing that, but it worked in the end. Some people take a day to switch to vaping exclusively, some take years. But still, every cigarette we avoid is a good thing for us.

It took me around a year and a half before I thought I was really over my 37 year cigarette addiction which I never thought could happen. IMO give it time Rotowoman, don't force it. Keep trying as best you can, but don't let it get to you if you smoke a few. You'll get there if you stay patient and stay focused

 

[Bman1959]

Ditto to all above. Great advice. Buy equipment with a good reputation. Had 3 problems after I started vaping. Draw times off on eGo battery was not long enough. Bought a Provari with a 16 sec Limit instead of 10. Juices. As a newbie needed something that was ready to vape and not need steeping. Bought so many samples and nothing seemed to work. Went to DIY and so much better now. Kanger T3's(?) leaked badly. Went into Protanks and evods (great clearo's).
You have what it takes to stop smoking and that is, You Want To.

 

[GinnyTx]

Roto..I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.

Beating yourself up over ciggies you smoke is counterproductive to the cause..keep that in mind..focus on what you really want..if it's to quit..then make the comittment to do so..get reliable gear, and juice and never look back.

I was mortified at the affects of withdrawing from tobacco...when I'd switched to the organic tobacco and rolling them (Ed had been for years) I literally had a withdrawl weekend..agitated, cranky, headache, nausea had to go lay down when it intensified at 24 plus hours..and realized I"ve seen THIS before..this is withdrawl. DA*N them..Then the "quitters flu" for almost two weeks when we started vaping, life just s*cked a bit, fatigue and Ed had mouth sores too.

same deal when we quit smoking the ciggies we did three a day for a couple days and one with coffee for two more..then NONE no looking back..the vaping alleviated all nicotine cravings..so it's the psychological we had to deal with..keeping busy helped, the desire to get off smokes, we'd be toting around oxygen soon if we didn't..remember that, I'd venture to say you're at our age too..it's harming you and is going to affect your quality of life.

Good luck to you!

 

[daleron]

I've only been at this a little over two months. Am I asking too much of myself?

Yes
Relax and enjoy what you do vape!
It's not the ones you smoke that count, it's the ones you don't ...

Two or three PAD down to one pack a week? Where is the failure in that?

 

[Redruth]

I was so lucky the switch was so easy for me. But I really feel for you and others who don't find it as smooth.

I would second all the advice above. Don't beat yourself up about having an analog. You will just get into a spiral of failure. Take it slowly, vape when you can but give yourself permission to have a cigarette if you feel you need one.

As has already been pointed out this time of year is stressful enough. So just do whatever you need to do to stay as stress free as possible. You can take another look at things in the new year.

But this is YOUR journey, so do it your way. Most of all do it in a way that you enjoy. Doesn't matter a fig how someone else does it. They are not walking in your shoes.

You have all the support you need right here 24/7 so don't be so hard on yourself.

Big hug and HAPPY vaping.

 

[LittleBird]

Roto, such good advice, here. I second (third?) all of it! Here's the thing: you aren't failing at this, you are succeeding. Every one you don't smoke is a cause for celebration. Try to be gentle with yourself and do your best. You'll get there; I'm sure of it.

 

[hyojah]

Seek out hardware and liquid compatible with your tastes and needs. I've been back and forth between cigarettes and vapes for a year and a half now. I started on cigalikes, moved on to regulated mods, tried mechanical mods, now I'm settling on DNA regulated mods with high VG fruity or desserty juice. I spent about a thousand dollars altogether, and it's worth it because I've finally found the sweet spot. Honestly a thousand dollars isn't a lot if you consider cigarettes are $11.50 a pack in NYC.

So keep looking for the right combination to suit your tastes, it's okay to cheat a little in between.

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Rotowoman,

Look at what you've achieved in 2 months, that's fantastic! Celebrate your accomplishment. This is a stressful time of the year and you're making a big change. It's hard.

Give yourself permission to take it a step at a time and at your own pace. Each step takes you closer to the goal. My mom taught me about giving myself permission so I didn't feel bad (another stress factor) when I'm less than perfect. You've significantly reduced the number of cigarettes you smoke. You are doing as much as you can right now and that's great. Try it - it takes a load off your shoulders and the stress level drops. You are on a journey, there may be some bumps in the road but the bumps don't end the trip.

It WTA works for you, go ahead and order it despite the Christmas mail madness. At least you'll know it will show up eventually and vape mail is something to look forward to.

Best of all - you are not alone. There are many people here who have are happy to help you along the way. We've been there. Hugs coz I think you could use one.

 

[mattiem]

In my humble opinion you are putting to much pressure on yourself. I was one of the fortunate ones and took to the switch from smoking to vaping very easy but my hubby wasn't. He is a dual user and is happy where he is. Do I wish he would give up the smokes? Yes, I do but this is his journey. We each have to choose our own path. Even if you end up traveling the same path as he has please try not to be so hard on yourself. Relax and stay focused on what you are trying to accomplished.

 

[gpjoe]

I don't know if this helps or classifies me as an enabler, but after 14 months of vaping I still smoke a few butts per day. I was a pack-a-day smoker so I'm down quite a bit. Though I would like to quit entirely, I am happy (and proud) to have gotten this far. I think you should feel likewise about your accomplishment. Hang in there, and best of luck.

 

[klynnn]

Do not give up! I went through the same thing when I first started. I just smoked every so often when I got frustrated for the first couple months. The longer I continued to vape those times became less and less. I found having plenty of equipment as backups helped, try new stuff, learn a bit of diy, to keep your mind occupied. My adv has been a tobacco vanilla blend since I began. I tried the WTA and it just didn't make much difference for me but seems to help others. Yes, you are asking to much of yourself. My last cigarette was at 7 mos in and finally it became so nasty I just couldn't do it again.

 

[The Cloud Minder]

Hang in there Hon, there's no roadmap, it's a different adventure for everyone. the path for each of us is full of upways and downways, but the Vape experience is like a Wonkavator in that it can go sideways and slantways and longways and backways and frontways and squareways, and any other ways that you can think of.
(Apologies to Gene Wilder)

 

[englishmick]

Just from reading on this forum I'm guessing the % of people who were finished with cigs after 2 months is fairly low. Took me a year. It gets easier as time goes on. Don't give yourself a hard time. If you need 6 cigs a day and you force yourself to only smoke 4 you'll stress yourself out for not much gain. Let it happen naturally. Good luck and happy trails. And keep us up to date on how it goes.