Two weeks without smoking, and one more week to go!
It seems like an eternity since I quit, but it’s only been 14 days. Still, that is a long time, and I have no intention of ever going back.
I’ve come too far to turn back now. I don’t care how much it hurts, I just want to get this over with and lead a normal life.
My cold I’ve had is weakening, but that means the cravings have come back.
Remember, I can’t feel two things at once.
As soon as my breathing got better, I craved a cigarette. Now I’m a little wheezy again, and the cravings have stopped.
I have no idea why that happens, but it does.
I had a small anxiety attack at work tonight. I thought about smoking the entire time during it.
I hope it’s not like that forever.
I do blame the fact that nicotine is still in my system. I know it’s still in my body because I can feel the cravings, and the withdrawal.
I’ve had days without intense cravings going on, but I’ve also been sick, too. If it’s not one thing, it’s something else.
I’ve never, truly, felt completely normal yet.
It’s hard when you’re at work, and listening to other people’s conversations and hear them talking about going out after work, going to Vegas, partying all night, etc.
I get a little jealous.
But I don’t dare even consider doing anything because I know I’d smoke.
I’m much too vulnerable still, even to this day.
Why?
Because nicotine is still in my body.
As long as there is even a smidgen of it left in me, I have to remain focused and not put myself in a dangerous situation.
Once the drug leaves my body for good, then I can do anything I want.
I might still mentally think I need a cigarette in a certain situation, and that will probably stick around for a little while longer, but I won’t physically crave one.
All of that will be in my past.
That’s why it’s so important to make it 3 weeks.
When you’re physically craving something, you’re vulnerable.
If you’re mentally craving something, you can easily talk yourself out of it, because your body won’t be begging you to do it.
There is a huge difference after the 3 week milestone. You’ll see, and so will I.
The countdown is officially ON for this last final week. I am nearing the light at the end of the tunnel. I can definitely see it now.
I thought it would smell inviting, like it used to, but not anymore. It was a dirty smell, almost rotten.
Yes, it was very familiar, as it was something that lingered on me for 18 years.
But it’s great coming home to an apartment that doesn’t smell like an ashtray.
My clothes don’t smell like smoke, either.
I can only imagine what other people must’ve thought about me all those years.
People that smell like that are disgusting!
I’m so glad I’m not one of them anymore.
I found this site about a week into my quit and it has been a true blessing. It’s been 13 days for me now but I am shocked, and disappointed, to learn how long this process really takes. Somehow I thought the worst of it would be over within a week and it would continue to get better after that. No wonder I could never stay quit in the past!! I wasn’t thinking realistically. I have smoked for 55 years and have tried to quit several times. This is it, no turning back. It’s not easy but I won’t give in this time. Thank you all for your posts! They are what’s helping me get through this. God bless you all.
Thank you so much for these blogs, on day 14 cold turkey quitting a 30 year habit. Feeling edgy anxious and just all round nasty but reading this helps more than you could know cheers,
Hi, Mateo. Thank you for this brilliantly motivational journal of your quit. I’m on day 8 of quitting nicotine lozenges. I went on them to get off vaping as prescribed by an NHS stop smoking service here in the UK as I had become allergic to vape juices. I wish I hadn’t started the lozenges at all and continued cold turkey, which is what I was doing but the smoking cessation advisor said it would be easier on the lozenges. Rubbish! I just ended up replacing one form of nicotine for another of course. Just one thing – you say in quite a few of your posts that you can still feel nicotine in your body after even a couple of weeks. As I understand it, the nicotine leaves your body at around 72 hours, the cotinine at around 10 days. From my research, what you’re feeling is unoccupied, upregulated nicotine receptors that aren’t getting their fix of nicotine, and they are not happy until they start downregulating. Also the effects of lower dopamine, which should return to normal around about the 3 month mark. I hope you don’t mind me mentioning this. Anyway, whatever is going on – you’re helping a whole bunch of people to keep going (including me), and we’re all very grateful! Thank you again.
Great, respectful comment – and true to my understanding.
Mateo i crashed an had a smoke yesterday day 13 but im back on wagon today should i start back to day 1 or stay on day 14.to say im disappointed is putting it lightly..ahhh
I would say you’re back on Day 1, unfortunately. If you don’t, you’ll make an excuse on Day 15 and have one and think it’s ok. And quitting smoking is all about making excuses for relapsing. Not that you should punish yourself, but you also shouldn’t get off Scott-free.
I knew that even when i sent that message.yesterday was so hard so i watched your youtube vids for inspiration an to take my mind off the cravings. Have woken feeling gross sore throat burning feet.ahhh..day 2 here i come..
Yay, two whole weeks. Just did a happy dance around the room. Tough in parts today. Two seriously bad cravings, but I know why. I was doing an essay for uni and normally I would treat myself with a cigarette when I’d done a certain amount of words. Today was different though, I didn’t smoke.
One more week I believe and all of the nicotine will be out of my system. Just the battles in my head to contend with them. Bring it on.
Breathing has improved, my sleep is getting there. Concentration is rubbish, so is my diet, so just need to be mindful of that.
See you in week 3…..
Today I’m at Day 14 I first tried to stop quitting the beginning of this month and 2 weeks ago was the last time I had a cigarette so I only had about nine cigarettes this whole month (wow). I feel healthier with my immune system and digestive system However all I want to do is stay home (granted it’s COVID) but my boyfriend house irritates anything that don’t go my way really irritates me and I do still have cravings but my skin looks really great I’m eating more healthier concisely but I cannot sleep at all …. I have insomnia which is where most of my irritability is coming from melatonin vitamins haven’t been affective
Same. Can’t sleep. My stomach is off but the back pain is gone. My legs are achy. I get moments where i can breath but it passes. Feeling tired all the time and kinda depressed. Im just hopeful that all this passes soon. I just keep telling myself not to smoke or you will have to go through all this again. Its hard after smoking for 40 years.
Should read CAN’t breath in last post
Greetings from Istanbul(Turkey)
I attemted to quit smoking for 5 times now.I am 22 year old man working and studying at the same time this means that I have a very busy life.
And Matt all I needed was a guide.Now I am at the 14 th day.None a one.Not even a inhale of smoke.I hate it now I use nicotine gums.But I want to ask you all if am I considered quitted even though I use nicotine gums?
And these cravings man killing me 😀
To keep it real, you may have quit smoking, but not the drug nicotine. The cravings will never end until you quit the gum all together. Good luck so far!
I am on day 14 of no smoking as of today. Still have cravings and hoping to reach the 3 week milestone and get rid of the cravings.
Day 14 yay the 2 week mark I am so proud of myself, I still have a sore back today and I still feel like I am more hungry then usual but I am smoke free so yay me, I notice that water taste cleaner and chewy taste fresher. My gums have stopped bleeding when I brush too. I am loving all the little positive things.
Do keep it up and never give up. Today I also hit my 14th day (I quite on Xmas day, 25th December 2020), and so happy and relieved that my chest pains have stopped and I now breath better…
Don’t give up, brother.
Gomez
its day number 14 for me and i have c.o.p.d am a afro amerian 63 year old woman who been patch on patch off for many years 14 days ago i finally made the decsion to stop and its been a struggle but with faith it been goung ok i refuse to contiune to keep hurting my body again
Day 14 its hard but not as hard as day 11 which was my worse , i still have anxiety attacks and with each one i think of lighting up a cig but we’re in a lockdown because of covid-19 so I can’t go to buy a pack and i will not even if i could go out , i am not used to getting sick but since i started smoking 9yrs ago and I decided to quit cause it was ruining my dental health and giving me stomach problems, i am 27 I shouldn’t be having these kind of issues this early but cigs made it happen and I won’t let it get worse , its a matter of days until i can sleep well and lose this anxiety,i want nicotine out of my system asap !
Hey Caveman,
I’m in a similar situation as you just one day behind.
Today’s day 14, two weeks, and I’m stuck at home because of Covid-19. I’m 27 and was smoking for 10 years. I had a break down on day 12 it was worse then days 1-3 for me. I am just hoping that when I get back to work I don’t start up again.
All in all it has not been that bad everyone has to just keep trying and it can only get better.
This website and people’s comments have helped me get through the worst cravings. By the time I get to the bottom of the page the craving has passed.
Hey, J. I am with you on the whole “by the time I get to the bottom of the page, the cravings are gone”
I come here to ease my anxiety and stress about my symptoms. I’ve always been quite “healthy” other than 13 years of smoking.
Day 14 for me, my chest gets tight still, I get those “what ifs” like it’ll get better.
What if I smoke one, what if I chew that tobacco pouch, will I relapse? Will I hate it?
Doesn’t matter. I know that what I’m going through is all part of bettering my life.
I want to thank everyone on this page for the help that they are bringing to people like you and I.
-Brian (age 24)
Hey everyone,
I’m not sure if it’s the withdrawals but my dreams, when I can sleep are VERY vivid. Some are a bit freighting.
I’ve also cold Turkey on weed.. after 14 years of heavy smoking with that and Nicotine.. has any one had these experiences?
Day 14 of being off the patch and just like you Mateo I live in the Pacific Northwest and my allergies suck, but I don’t crave a smoke whilst there active. My allergies are gone today so I’ve been battling cravings all day today. I even almost caved earlier. cause I wasn’t paying attention to my self and nicotine was telling me I should go have a smoke and go for drive but I caught myself and thought I’m not starting over again. As I’ve said in other posts I was a 2 to 5 pack a day smoker, and for me I love the smell and taste of a cigarette and I always will, the only reason I’m quitting is cause I don’t want to go out that way.
crazy how our experiences are identical. Allergy attacks really do overpower you.
I’ve never experienced allergies until I quit smoking, now every time I walk outside I get congested and feels like I’m struggling to inhale deep enough through my nose. But I know this is all part of a healthy lifestyle. One day at a time.
Hello my name is austin age 25, today is day 14 for me. Ive been addicted to nicotine for about 11 years… started from cigarettes then went to vaping then went to dip then zyn 6mg then to patches lol. So now im off everthing all together. Cant wait until i can look back at this post a year from now. Ive been extremely grumpy on and off everyday.. hoping it subsides in a few days.
Day 14 here. It’s definitely doable, and worth it. Humbling that a stupid chemical can exert such a pull on a person, over this much time. It’s all in my head now, just try not to fall off the horse.
Good luck to everyone, my heart is with you all.
OMG I still can hardly believe, that after numerous attempts over 45 years (never cold turkey before) I believe this is it. 2 weeks today and doing good. Still have a bit of a cough and like Mateo says 9don’t really believe I have felt completely normal yet, nervous energy, some anxiety, restlessness and periods of agitation. These are becoming fewer and further in between as the days go by. Walked by some people standing outside smoking at the casino and was kind of surprised that the cig smoke smelled old and stale. I love being an ex smoker, there is so much freedom in it. So happy for all of us…hate sickerettes.
It’s day 14 and cravings are killing me I make myself calm down by watching cigarette review videos in youtube and imagine that I’m smoking it
Well I was doing okay, but today at day 14 I was so frustrated a work I smoked a cig. Now I feel sick to my stomach. I hope I can move forward from this slip.
Of course you can! Don’t let one slip-up get you down.
Day 14, I feel amazing today !! The sun is out and I can breath correctly! i am soo looking forward to a smoke-free spring!!!!!!!!!!!! #SMOKEFREE #LIFE
I’m on day 11, love to check the comments on the day that I’m at so will revisit this this page when I’m on day 14!! Say something encouraging!
We are on day 14!! I also quit on January 1,2018. Great work.
You got this!
I can’t believe it’s 14 days! I quit on Ash Wednesday for good.. I take one day @ a time.. 14 days strong!!
Hit my two weeks yesterday, second time I quit and hopefully it’s the LAST. Has anyone else had a problem with sinuses being really bad? It’s been like a constant allergy attack since the second day I quit? ANY tips on what to do?
Me too. I’m on day 14 now. I use nasal decongestant in hopes that the stuffiness will subside in a week or two.
Been 2 weeks, it’s great to not smoke but I miss the regular morning ritual. Anybody else EXPERIENCING massive bloating and being backed up? Coffee and a smoke first thing in the morning use to set things off; now it’s the complete opposite. It’s brutal. Any suggestions or feedback on this would be great, does the constipation eventually go away? How long?
Hello josh,
The constipation goes away. I don’t remember how long it takes. You should try some medicine for that.
14 th day no relief from constipation n now i havw piles in acute pain
I’ve been stopped 2 weeks now and I’ve suffered with bloating. Felt 5 months pregnant. but it’s normal apparently. We get water retention after stopping. Keep up the good work .
I’m on Day 14 after 19 years of smoking. I’ve quit before, longest was 9 months. I live a very stressful life as well – 3 boys. My better half whom has ADD, my 11 yr old son whom has ADHD, and a 1 yr old little boy. We just bought our first mobile home and everything has fallen apart from a storm. Tree branches falling on my family home to snow! Just about every appliance that the old owner left has stopped working. To my better half getting laid off work. I find different ways to cope with the stress by deep breathing, and telling myself this too shall pass. I give myself time outs, and have gum in the car. I used to love to smoke and drive. Now it’s chew gum and drive. Or have a hot tea or coffee. For replacing the hand to mouth I play with a pen, or have some fresh veggies. I have had my feel sorry for myself moments, but I made the choice to smoke when I did, and now I made the choice to quit. My body is healing every day from the damage I’ve done to myself. And when I’m around others that smoke and my other half still smokes and I respect that it’s called DIVERSITY and as a non-smoker it does not bother me one bit. I tell myself that’s not who I am anymore I am a non-smoker. Food is so rich I really was cutting my self off by smoking, I can smell better. And it is my life choice to no longer allow a CIGARETTE to control my life. I’ll be 37, I’ve smoked again 19 years you do the math. My brand was Camel 99’s hard pack. More like hard trash now. I have two kids I told don’t smoke yet they watched their mom smoke that isn’t right and as a smoker you know that’s TRUE! My kids need me more then that cigarette does. And my 11 yr old has asked so much mommy please don’t smoke it’s killing you know what he right it was. I quit smoking for the rest of My life 1-12-17 every day is a day for better change. I’m a go-getter. ~Krissy~
How is the smoke-free life going?
Love this Krissy well said! Proud of you
On my 12th night. Couldn’t sleep at all. Its 6am now. What am I supposed to do?
Try not to get frustrated with yourself for starters. That won’t solve anything. You could try Benadryl. That might knock you out. If you’re having sleeping problems frequently right now I’d avoid caffeine so you’d give yourself the best chance at a good night’s rest. Try Benadryl first tho.
Magnesium is a good thing to try. It helped me when I quit drinking alcohol first and now smoking. I am not sleeping as good as I was. I am on 14 days of no smoking and cutting back in caffeine .
I love this week’s story. Now I’m on a mission to get to Week 3.
Any motivation email you have would be great.
Just imagine waking up everyday full of life. Imagine making it through the entire day and not giving cigarettes a single thought. Imagine be able to do anything you’ve ever wanted and not being afraid you don’t have cigarettes to get you through it. Imagine feeling the best you’ve ever felt, since you were a child!
That’s what it’s like to quit smoking. Get to that point. You can do it.
Thank you for sharing. I quit before and never felt this way. Maybe because I did not worry about going back to smoking, now I am and I judge it too much. If this makes sense.