Still smoking support and chat thread

[Hopeful64]

Hi guys!

Well, I think I need to write a little tonight. I'm so self-centered on this board but it doesn't seem like anyone else is struggling right now. And I'm really happy about that.

Today, I feel as if I took a step backward. I was very peeved off this morning over something and it lasted for most of the day. So when I went to count out my number of real cigs, I went past my goal of 17-18....and said,''Screw it'' and allowed myself a whole pack of 20's. I haven't smoked them all but I only have 6 left in the pack and it's still quite early here.

I am trying not to get discouraged and look at the ones I didn't smoke. (as you guys say) I can certainly see tonight that I like to smoke my emotions away.

One positive thing that I just did was check out on my calendar when I bought this last carton. I have made it last for almost 2 weeks (I still have 3 packs left) and normally I would have gone through 2 cartons by now. So I have cut my consumption in half at this point.

Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better to go 'cold turkey'' and not have any real cigs around at all. But then I panic at the thought of not having my real cigarettes in the house? For goodness sake, I am vaping and getting the throat hit and lots of fun smoke coming out and I love my juice! Why do I need to keep the real ones around? Did any of you go through this fear? How will it be when I am only counting out 5? I feel like a bit of fear has taken over me.

Thanks for any words of encouragement. Luv you guys. If I wasn't journaling this, I'm not sure how far I would make it....so thanks for being here for me.

And I hope you are all wonderful tonight! love and (hugs)
Donna

 

[Opinionated]

Hi guys!

Well, I think I need to write a little tonight. I'm so self-centered on this board but it doesn't seem like anyone else is struggling right now. And I'm really happy about that.

Today, I feel as if I took a step backward. I was very peeved off this morning over something and it lasted for most of the day. So when I went to count out my number of real cigs, I went past my goal of 17-18....and said,''Screw it'' and allowed myself a whole pack of 20's. I haven't smoked them all but I only have 6 left in the pack and it's still quite early here.

I am trying not to get discouraged and look at the ones I didn't smoke. (as you guys say) I can certainly see tonight that I like to smoke my emotions away.

One positive thing that I just did was check out on my calendar when I bought this last carton. I have made it last for almost 2 weeks (I still have 3 packs left) and normally I would have gone through 2 cartons by now. So I have cut my consumption in half at this point.

Sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't be better to go 'cold turkey'' and not have any around at all. But then I panic at the thought of not having my real cigarettes in the house? For goodness sake, I am vaping and getting the throat hit and lots of fun smoke coming out and I love my juice! Why do I need to keep the real ones around? Did any of you go through this fear? How will it be when I am only counting out 5? I feel like a bit of fear has taken over me.

Thanks for any words of encouragement. Luv you guys. If I wasn't journaling this, I'm not sure how far I would make it....so thanks for being here for me.

And I hope you are all wonderful tonight! love and (hugs)
Donna

I am lovely sweet heart thank you.. love and hugs right back.

So okay, your consumption is in half - that is totally awesome and you should be terribly proud of that!

My advice is to avoid stressing out over quitting, and reward yourself for your successes.

For instance, there was a carton of cigarettes you didn't smoke so take that money that you would have spent on those and do something JUST for you and only you - a prize for not smoking.

The intent is to turn vaping into a positive .. it's healthier for you, but that's not as immediate as a new dress or a pedicure (for instance). Pamper yourself for avoiding those cigarettes. Turn those little shopping trips into something your looking forward to. Short term goals . "If I don't smoke these cigarettes then I get ______" are always a positive, and it's easier for your mind to think in the short term.

I can be supportive, but I can't help with struggles specific to dual use as I never dual used. I simply switched and no it wasn't easy. My husband and other family members smoked and smoked around me while i was going through withdrawals.

Having someone blowing smoke in your face while you want a cigarette so bad your physically shaking is my forte.. lol.

But, we all have our own struggles, in the end quitting smoking is hard. Vaping makes it easier along with all the various ways we get through withdrawals, until we stop wanting a cigarette, which oddly doesn't take as long as it may seem in the beginning.

 

[Hopeful64]

My advice is to avoid stressing out over quitting, and reward yourself for your successes.

@Opinionated .
Thank you so much for posting this encouragement. Congratulations on your quitting! Wow! That is awesome! You are so encouraging!

I think in the morning, I will use my little 'cigarettes' (e-roll) when I get a bit stressed because it's the same size as my cigarettes. I'm charging them now. I forgot that sometimes I don't want to push that little button on my bigger 'pen' style. I am hoping before November (which is my 64th birthday) I will be off these cursed things altogether. That's what I want to give myself for my birthday this year. I hope I am still posting! (this is the date I had in mind when I joined a couple of weeks ago - hence the name, ''Hopeful64'')

I DO NOT want to chase out after 'paper' cigarettes next winter!!

The money I saved this month is in my trip fund for next year. I want to pay cash for that trip so every penny is going in a jar!!

Thank you again, my friend!

 

[FranC]

Personally, I think your doing fantastic I dual used for about a month.The following month I smoked 3-4 cigs and then I was done. It's been almost 8 years now and I'm so glad I quit.

 

[Hopeful64]

Personally, I think your doing fantastic I dual used for about a month.The following month I smoked 3-4 cigs and then I was done. It's been almost 8 years now and I'm so glad I quit.

Thanks @FranC ! This is so encouraging!! I feel so much better now. Ready to tackle tomorrow! I am going to bed early tonight so I won't smoke anymore. Chaining right now on my little fake
'e-roll' and I love it!

3 left in the package. Smoked 17 today. Still better than 45! OK...I'm gonna dance now!

Night everyone! (hugs)

 

[FranC]

You well deserve that dance

 

[Thayamax]

Donna, you're still doing great! Even though you were stressed you didn't go crazy and smoke yourself silly. You stayed within your allotted number. Some days are better than others but you just dust yourself off and start again. We've all been there so we know how you're feeling.

I was a dual user for 4 months after I joined ECF and seriously started trying to quit. I didn't count out the number of cigs I was allowed to smoke, I just smoked when I felt I needed to, which was much too often for a while.

I completely understand your fear of not having your stash of cigarettes nearby and freaking out at the thought of it. I kept a pack of smokes at work for months, even after I was vaping exclusively. I needed to know they were available to me if I ever started to have a meltdown. Thankfully I never had to use them, but it comforted me to know they were there.

Cigarettes are like a dear friend that's been there for you over the years through thick and thin, through the good and bad times. They've become such a big part of your life you can't imagine life without them. Unfortunately this "friend" has been stabbing you in the back the whole time. Even though you now realize this it's still hard to let go.

The little eRoll is what worked for me. It looks and feels a lot like a real cigarette so it's a pretty good substitute for the real thing in a pinch. Try using it whenever you get a craving for a smoke until the feeling passes. You can do this. It will take some time, but you have already come a long way.

Hugs right back at ya! ((Donna))

Thaya

 

[Hopeful64]

Back for my little briefing. lol

Horrible day. Blew it. Smoked almost 22 today. Last night we got news that was devastating to us. One of my husbands' buddies lost his daughter to a car accident and his wife is probably not going to make it either. The last 24 hours have been hectic. So, so very sad. I don't know these dear people but it really upset my husband and my heart just bleeds for what this poor man is going through. Life can be such a jerk. So there I went again, smoking my emotions away today.

On a lighter note, the girl at the smoke store couldn't believe that I only went through one carton in 14 days. She said she misses me but wished me good luck.

I normally buy 4 cartons a month. So this month, I've only bought 2. And I hope to make this new carton go even further. That's my goal....to make this carton last 3 weeks. I'm just going to put in a huge effort to stretch these real cigs out until I am mostly vaping and then I can make that decision to say goodbye to them at some point.

Tomorrow I will get back on track.

Thanks for being here for me. (hugs)

 

[Possum64]

Hello @Hopeful64. Such tragic news about the young lady and her mother. No wonder you smoked a few more cigs. We all have our coping strategies, and you have recognised one of yours.

It is funny, my smoke store lady misses me too! I don't buy cartons anymore, but I still stop and have a natter with her sometimes. In fact, she asked how I quit the cigs (she is a smoker), so I have sent her an email with some links to vaping stuff that she may find helpful. Fingers crossed!

It is great that you are setting yourself reasonable, achievable goals. You are doing wonderfully well.
Catherine

 

[Hopeful64]

Hello @Hopeful64. Such tragic news about the young lady and her mother. No wonder you smoked a few more cigs. We all have our coping strategies, and you have recognised one of yours.

It is funny, my smoke store lady misses me too! I don't buy cartons anymore, but I still stop and have a natter with her sometimes. In fact, she asked how I quit the cigs (she is a smoker), so I have sent her an email with some links to vaping stuff that she may find helpful. Fingers crossed!

It is great that you are setting yourself reasonable, achievable goals. You are doing wonderfully well.
Catherine

Thanks so much, @Possum64 (I just recognized that you were 64 too!)

Tell me, friends, does it get easier in the mornings? I want my real cig as soon as my eyes open. I am trying to vape for as long as up to 10 minutes but the vape doesn't 'cut it' first thing in the morning. Does this get easier? Will I at one point, want to have the first puff on my vape?

I suppose this all has to do with how bad I want it? My willpower seems to be real low first thing in the morning.

Counted out 18 this morning. Once upon a time, I thought people who smoked 18 a day were 'light smokers' compared to my 40-45 a day. Of course, I'm wanting to smoke less but right now my 'mindset' needs to know that I am allowed to smoke if I choose.

Have a great day everyone! I'll check in later.....

(hug)

 

[FranC]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Morning was the worse time for most all of us. You'll get by it in time I started vaping at 62 and that was 8 years ago.

 

[Opinionated]

Thanks so much, @Possum64 (I just recognized that you were 64 too!)

Tell me, friends, does it get easier in the mornings? I want my real cig as soon as my eyes open. I am trying to vape for as long as up to 10 minutes but the vape doesn't 'cut it' first thing in the morning. Does this get easier? Will I at one point, want to have the first puff on my vape?

I suppose this all has to do with how bad I want it? My willpower seems to be real low first thing in the morning.

Have a great day everyone! I'll check in later.....

Yes.. it absolutely gets easier!

Someday you'll wake up and realize you don't even think about cigarettes anymore..

You just have to get some distance between you and cigarettes to get to that point, but you will get there!

The first cigarette of the day is everyone's most difficult one I think.. your not alone!

 

[Hopeful64]

Don't beat yourself up over it. Morning was the worse time for most all of us. You'll get by it in time I started vaping at 62 and that was 8 years ago.

Thanks so much for the encouragement @FranC! I often told myself that it was too late to even try so this is so encouraging! I'm on the second one and going to vape right after this so I don't ruin my day by chaining 4-5 first thing in the morning. Great to know this is a hard time for most people. Doesn't make me feel so alone. (hug)

 

[Hopeful64]

Yes.. it absolutely gets easier!

Someday you'll wake up and realize you don't even think about cigarettes anymore..

You just have to get some distance between you and cigarettes to get to that point, but you will get there!

The first cigarette of the day is everyone's most difficult one I think.. your not alone!

Thanks very much @Opinionated ! I can't wait for the day when I wake up and don't think about smoking!! Wow, you guys have helped me so much this morning. I had my 2nd one and now I will vape for as long as I can! (hug)

 

[FranC]

I bought a tobacco vape in 18mg. I was vaping at 12mg. The tobacco was one I only semi liked but it was strong. Grabbing that first thing in the morning really helped with delaying that morning cig.

 

[KC0YNU]

From what I have learned through the forums,
First thing in the morning
After a meal
Just before bed
are the hardest times to get over for most folks.

Finding/Knowing your patterns and finding the right combo of Mod/tank/juice are the 2 best weapons in your fight against smoking.

Keep up the progress, you are doing quite well @Hopeful64

 

[Hopeful64]

From what I have learned through the forums,
First thing in the morning
After a meal
Just before bed
are the hardest times to get over for most folks.

Finding/Knowing your patterns and finding the right combo of Mod/tank/juice are the 2 best weapons in your fight against smoking.

Keep up the progress, you are doing quite well @Hopeful64

Thanks so much @KCOYNU! This is great. And I will pay attention to this for sure!! (hug)

 

[Hopeful64]

Can I post a song here? Wise words Alanis. My song for the day!
''Everything's gonna be fine!'' (hugs) for everyone! I hope this makes someone elses' day!

 

[Hopeful64]

Finding/Knowing your patterns and finding the right combo of Mod/tank/juice are the 2 best weapons in your fight against smoking.

@Hopeful64

KC, I think I have come to the conclusion that my e-roll cigarette is the best for me in the morning. Got it in between my fingers right now. You hold this little vape just like a real cigarette and I also think I will fill the little viles up with the heavy ''Navy Cut' tobacco flavor. The caramel tobacco just doesn't do it for me in the mornings. Thanks again, all you wonderful people! Only smoked 3 so far today and I've been up for 4 hours. That's BIG for me!

Blowing kisses at everyone!!

 

[Thayamax]

You go, girl! You're tuning in to your triggers and thinking of ways to get around them. I'm not even sure which cigarette of the day was the worst for me...they all were. I couldn't answer the phone without a cigarette and my car wouldn't start unless a lit a cig first. I even kept one burning while I washed dishes so I could dry my fingers to take puffs off of it every few minutes. I was ridiculous when it came to smoking constantly. Of course I'm now the same way with my vapes. At least it's way better for me.

It does get better with time. You've already cut your cig consumption in half so you're well on your way. Today is a new day, so just keep on trying. You'll get there.

Thaya

PS. I tried to post this this morning after I got home from work but ECF went offline so I had to wait til I woke up to go back to work. Better late than never.