Still smoking support and chat thread

[Thayamax]

So far, so good, Skwij. Sorry to hear about your arm pain. I hope you can make it through work today.

I've been home from work for 1 1/2 hours and was hoping to stay awake to follow along with everyone's progress, but the sandman is here throwing sand in my eyes and I just can't make it through. I'm going to sleep for a while and will be checking on everyone's progress when I get up.

Good luck to everyone! Keep the faith!

 

[Skwij]

12 noon local time and no vaping (no time or breaks until now).
First 10 min break of the day while a client processes for 10 min under a dryer, so out behind the dumpster I go. Sorry to say it is NOT a vape.

 

[Skwij]

530 local time and second break.

My mind is telling me to vape, but it's also saying "you only get a few minutes, what if the vape doesn't work?".

 

[Thayamax]

@Skwij You're having a super busy day! Look at it this way, you haven't had much time to vape but you haven't had much time to smoke either. You're still a winner in my book!

Maybe it would be a better idea to attempt this challenge on one of your days off? Anyway, thanks for the updates!

 

[FranC]

Waiting for the outcomes from today

 

[KC0YNU]

Challenge post

As far as the challenge goes, I failed. Did not make it with only 4. by noon count was my usual 8.

On the plus side total count for the day was 4 fewer than normal.

Hope the others were more successful.

 

[FranC]

That's a personal win for you in my book,KC

 

[KC0YNU]

Thanks Fran, I am trying to look at it in a positive light.
Part of my problem with challenge was not feeling great. Just felt energy drained all day. That is not normal for me other than after getting home from work.

 

[FranC]

Hope tomorrow is a better day for you,KC

 

[Hopeful64]

I failed. Got up at 6 which was too eary for me and by time rolled around at noon smoked about 7. I still have in my pack. I read everyone's post. You are all successful in my eyes. : My darling hairdresser friend... my heart goes out to you. It's no easy career. 43 years more me and if I won the lotto, I'd hang my scissors up forever. Good career... but hard. ReSt as much as you can. KC.. you are awesome. So are all of you! Trying again tomorrow to vape more than smoke. Best to everyone! ((Hugs))

 

[Hopeful64]

Can't edit on my phone. You'll have to figure out some of the words above in my post ! Lol

 

[tgs3]

Hey, Possum64

You and I started vaping at roughly the same time. And we were both dual using - in my case for months. But I believe that you were able to quit before me. Tell the story, it could help others. I am interested

 

[Skwij]

@Skwij You're having a super busy day! Look at it this way, you haven't had much time to vape but you haven't had much time to smoke either. You're still a winner in my book!

Maybe it would be a better idea to attempt this challenge on one of your days off? Anyway, thanks for the updates!

Thanks @Thayamax. No busier than usual and that's probably part of the problem. Breaks are short and infrequent so my brain screams "take it while you can!"
As for the rest of us, none of us failed, IMO. We all tried. Hopefully we were all more aware this morning of each and every cigarette we had. That's part of the battle, isn't it?
@Hopeful64, I love what I do, but after over 30 years of this, the bod doth protest at times. I'm with you; if I won lottomax or 649 or even lottario I'd definitely work far far less. Cutting back is difficult when you're booked 3 months out all the time.

 

[Thayamax]

I'm back at work for the night shift. Yay! (Not really) so I'm just now able to post on my phone, which is something I rarely do.

I consider all of you winners!!! All of you gave it a shot which is commendable all by itself. But all of you bested your usual numbers so you all get dancing bananas!


When can we do this again?

 

[Possum64]

Hello @Hopeful64 @KC0YNU and @Skwij - you are all winners in my book. The main thing is you gave it a go and all came back here to tell your tale. And you all cut down on the numbers of cigarettes smoked for the entire day! Fantastic

It is SO hard to stop smoking completely....if that is indeed your goal. Everybody's journey is a little different and we end up doing what works for us, even if it is not considered the 'norm'.

@tgs3 - it is wonderful to hear you are continuing to vape, and here it is over a month and you haven't had a cigarette! Yes, we did join here around the same time and both continued to dual use for many months. Stopping smoking almost a packet a day (25 cigs) cold turkey after 38 years was never going to work for me! Some days were good and some were horrible! But continue on we did

I don't actually have a 'quit' date as such. Everybody has a different nature and personality and I have found a way that works for me....but certainly won't work for everyone. What I 'trialled' was taking the pressure off myself to quit smoking completely.

I started with my shifts at work. Made the decision to not smoke or vape during my nine hour shift. After a few (ok.....MANY!) false starts I finally made it through quite a few shifts and then one day I left my smokes/vape at home so I wasn't tempted to have one at work. Did I find this easy? Hell no! It was tough, and I 'failed' time and again, but I never beat myself up for it.

When I got home from a shift I would reward myself and vape like crazy...and if I wanted to have a cigarette, I had a cigarette! No pressure! I have continued on in this way for months now and over that time my smoking has reduced and reduced...to the point where I now go many days (to a couple of weeks ) at a time and don't smoke at all. Other days, if I want to have a cigarette or two, I have them. I am happy with that.

Psychologically for me, just knowing the cigarettes are there if I want one makes it easier for me to say 'no' to having one . How does that work? I have no idea, but for me it does. I now call myself a 'vaper' - who enjoys the occasional cigarette.

One day, I will stop the occasional cigarette - no pressure though!

Catherine

PS @Thayamax - have a happy shift!

 

[Thayamax]

@Possum64 That was a helpful post, letting all of us know how your vaping journey progressed. I'm sure there are tips that will help others in their journey as well.

And thanks for the well wishes. Now I just have to convince myself I'm having a happy shift.

 

[Possum64]

Now I just have to convince myself I'm having a happy shift

Night shift you poor thing! Very difficult to be happy!

 

[FranC]

I too think you all are winners We all are winners

 

[KC0YNU]

New day and am going for the challenge again today.

 

[FranC]

Good luck,KC