Let's pretend it's a milestone

[daddysmurf]

Last Wednesday I had my first day without a cigarette in about 8 years; I struggled all day to not grab my smokes and light up, but I did make it. Thursday and Saturday, I had a cigarette (each because my PV died at the wrong time), and Friday I had 3 (was very stressed). Now, it is one week later, and today will make 4 days in a row without a cigarette. I want one so bad it's not funny. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to ask somebody for a pat on the back, just so I can pretend it's a milestone day.

 

[Ripper88]

Congratulations!!!

 

[Sydlie]

You're making steps, that's definitely a big deal! Cutting down to a couple analogs a day is a step in a good direction, no need to rush!

 

[Helaas]

Eventually, when you get your taste and smell back, you're not going to want to light a cig again and just stick with your ecig

 

[TopCookie]

Well done and many congratulations daddysmurf, you are a natural born conqueror and will go far (at least to the end of the week... )

 

[rem700]

Congrats, I think finding a juice that you like is one of the biggest hurdles ever notice all the different brands of analogs?
Did you smoke a certain brand of analogs or did you just say give me a pack of cigs and just smoke what ever the clerk sold you?
I gradually slacked off analogs over a weeks time and smoke free after about a week somewhere around the one month mark I had feeling I wanted a real analog so I lit one up took two drags it tasted like sheeet I thru it in the ashtray and havnt looked back since. After trying perhaps 20-30 different flavs of ejuice I have found 2 that I can vape all day a couple that are ok and others that I wouldnt vape if you paid me and many of these are juices that others rave about there just not for me and I will continue to sample different juices as they become available. All this just to say hang in there and hope you the best in your quest.

 

[Dad2daBone]

Any day without analogs is an accomplishment! Back pats a plenty!!

 

[Spazmelda]

We don't have to pretend! It is a milestone. Congrats to you!

 

[unassuming]

Congrats! Stick with it, fight the urge, but do not get discouraged if you light up. That will only lead to negative thoughts and self-doubt, and staying positive and confident is very important in getting smoke free.

 

[bigtiime]

You've taken the first steps my friend. One foot in front of the other . .

 

[dearme]

Congratulations. Four days is Great. The first few days are the hardest, and it will get a little bit easier every day after this. Hang in there.

Welcome to ECF.

 

[Richie G]

This is NOT a pseudo slap on the back. You've done a smurferic job, daddio. =)

Listen, I'm closing in on 3 years off the analogs. Truth is, I'm unimpressed with that. I was unimpressed with 2 years as well. The MOST important and impressive milestones for me were the early ones... a single day, then a week, then a month, culminating with a full YEAR. After a year, surviving all the excuses we use as smokers are defeated -- you know the routine: holidays, change of season, new job, death in the family, yadda yadda yadda -- there's no turning back. Everything that can happen has happened, ya know?

My thinking is that once you make all the baby steps and get through those times of stress, one at a time, that trigger the dreaded analog reach, you're well on your way to leaving them behind for good. The confidence level soars with each level reached. Even simple stuff like first time not smoking while on the phone, or during a drive, etc. Use each milestone reached as a confidence builder. Before you know it you will be unimpressed AFTER the first year too.. I think. LOL

Best of luck.

 

[daddysmurf]

Thank you all for the kind words. I believe I've gotten through my biggest craving in a while... though throwing a chair at the cube across the way is still on the table. As for smokes, I smoked Bailey Menthol 100's, a VERY minty cig, so naturally, when I first started playing with e-cigs (over a year ago), I ordered a 30ml bottle of peppermint. Back then, I had too much going on to make it stick, so I put it down. Now, here I am again with my high-mint stuff (but this time it's working). I read about people trying an analog, and throwing it out because of the taste, and wonder how long it will be before I can use the same method to re-assure myself that it's really done.

Again, thank you for the kind words. I believe despite the clouds, it will be a sunny day.