Another amazing day!
I got a full night’s sleep with total REM. Do you know how I know I got REM sleep? Because I slept like a rock, had dreams I could remember in the morning, and when my alarm went off, I woke up fully rested and awake.
I didn’t hit the snooze button 3 or 4 times. The alarm went off, and I was immediately ready for my day.
When I went to look in the mirror, I looked great. My skin looked great. That’s how I know I got plenty of REM sleep.
There was only one moment today that I felt any lingering feelings of nicotine withdrawal. It came and went in literally 30 seconds, but I knew what it was.
It was that burning feeling in my throat, which on Day 1 was horrific, but on Day 23, it was pretty minor and insignificant. It was only a mere blip of my day, but I should acknowledge it anyways.
Other than that tiny craving (which only lasted seconds), my whole day has been great. The sun was shining and it was hot outside, and that’s what I love.
I spent most of the day fantasizing about moving to the beach. That is my ultimate goal, and it’s slowly becoming a reality.
You begin thinking about your future, and what you plan on doing with your new life.
It’s a real energy booster, pondering all the exciting things you could potentially be doing now that you’re not using tobacco.
Before, all I did was complain about life.
I complained about work, my stress, how much my feet hurt, the money I lost at the bar, my hangover, my skin, my roommates, my car, my schedule, etc.
The list could go on forever.
Smoking involves a lot of negative thoughts, especially if you’re a smoker who tries to quit and relapses all the time like I used to do.
When you’re feeling awful, both physically and mentally, it’s easy to complain.
The glass is always half empty.
Sounds good on paper, but actually living through it is quite amazing. I absolutely LOVE life right now! I didn’t before. HUGE difference!
Every day is a new experience for me.
I can feel my goals coming true right before my very eyes. The pieces of the puzzle are finally putting themselves together.
I actually have a solid plan now regarding future events, and not living a life of just “going through the motions” and working and sleeping.
I have plans now to do all sorts of things, and every day I am one step closer.
How do I know I am getting closer?
That’s easy. I am making the right decisions in life. I am doing what needs to be done to make those goals a reality.
I’m not being an idiot everyday like I used to be.
Work is so much better now, too. I used to DREAD going to work, as anxiety attacks crippled my everyday life.
Now I am much more confident in my job skills, and I’m noticing I’m much more aggressive, too.
That’s a real kicker in my world, as I used to be so passive in my demeanor. Being more aggressive means making more money. Making more money means making my goals come true.
See how that works?
My life has just taken on a whole new meaning, and I’m slowly, day-by-day, becoming the person who I was meant to be from the very beginning. I can feel my inner TRUE self emerging, and that feels wonderful.
You’ll never know how amazing you could feel, though, until you quit for good.
Look at me now. Such a difference from when I first started.
Day 23 is just about complete. Nearing my day 24, im very proud of myself. Today has been a good easy day, im hoping tomorrow brings the same ease.
Day 23 started off well i had slept most of the night even with the wierd dreams and woke without the depression ive been feeling very down .i went to hairdressers and since then have wanted to smoke so badly.and im tired now im yawning and could easily nap.fighting the urge to smoke now.i wont give in but can feel how easy it would be.
Day 23: Here we go!!! The mucus membranes in my nose, have finally shrunk to normal size and I can breathe through my nose much easier. I have been sleeping better and having much more vivid dreams. The people I work with have started to notice that I have quit and are cheering me along. Even my boss is on Day 1 from chewing tobacco.
Also, my wallet feels a little heavier for some reason? 23 days! That’s roughly 2 and 1/2 cartons of cigarettes…$60.00/Carton x 2.5= $150.00
Let’s keep this up! It should only get better, MUCH better,..I understand there will be some trials and tribulations in the future. However, I am eager for this new way of life.
Thank you for this blog. it has helped quite a bit!
~KC
Oh that’s wonderful! What a great story so far! Just great.
I just wanted to share in case it helps someone. Quit 22 days ago cold turkey. Tough times here and there but most have covered how one day or week was harder for them vs. another. That being said. What J think we all need to remember is this is us. “This sucks, I feel like crap, my family and friends aren’t being good, I should smoke.” The rest of the world, all the same except “I should smoke.” The rest of the world has the same feelings of happiness and depression, stress and joy, successes and failures as smokers. Quitting smoking is going to change the world and unless you start doing ecstasy all day, which I don’t recommend, the world still has iOS and downs. The goal for us is to change the pattern in our brain that all the good and bad stuff triggers the I should smoke. The triggers only gets beaten by two things. Time and re direction. The more you go through a event and doing smoke it re programs your brain. The re direction piece is not dwelling on the I want to smoke and moving your thoughts into something else. Like, this sucks and I want to smoke, oh wait I don’t smoke so J want to eat something good or have a beer and go for a walk. Too many people on the internet are painting a picture of smokers who quit that are miserable forever. It’s BS. Time and re direct your thinking and we will all be in good shape.
Thank You!
It’s day 23 cold turkey for me. I’m still holding strong. Had a few rough days between 16 and 20, but yesterday was the first day where I really felt better. I’m really hoping that the worst is behind me now. I’ve been addicted to nicotine in one form or another for 35 years. This is the first time in my life I have been free for 23 days. Hard to imagine where all that time went. This blog really helped me. Reading Mateo’s stories every morning keeps me motivated to keep going. Thank you
D23 for me and have to say I’m so glad I found this site, it has helped so much just knowing I’m not alone that others are experiencing the same.
My daily routine was waking up grabbing a coffee heading to the garage and smoking at least 3 just to replenish my nicotine levels.
Now I wake up grab my coffee come here and read.
My lungs are healing, my breath is fresh, my cough is gone, since my throat is not scratchy I can now have a conversation without breaking into a coughing fit. No more cough drops and cough syrup everywhere I go
There are so many benefits already not to discount having money in my wallet at all times, I was always broke and counting pennies to buy my next pack.
So much to be grateful for, the craves come and go but compared to the benefits they seem minor
First of all great website. Secondly to everyone on this I Quit state of mind , I want you to know, smoking has no benifit; smells horrible, was at the club last week drunk and happy I could breath while dancing the night away, guess what happened? A smoker I know decide to talk to me … with all the music, he had to talk loud and close…. woooww! Smokers stink!!!!!
Learn to love the cravings and let them come and go.
We all have done something only a smoker will understand the value, please clap and celibrate yourself. Allow yourself to miss it, thats okay but you must know the truth too. “Smoking is poison.”
Exercise! push your body, experience the change within you.
As a non-smoker I feel like I came out of a dark room. We are free, this is just nothing but a struggle that really is insignificant compared to benefits of not smoking poison.
My Day 23 . I love the new me!
Day 23 for me has been full of energy and different smells, some good some bad. I keep taking deep breaths and thanking God for that ability at this point. I think about a cigarette some but distract myself. I have to stop eating so much but loving those tastes!!
Day 23 here! The post today; as usual, are so enlightening and supportive. I wanted to share that yesterday I was so close to bumming ONE cig from a liquor store employee. The lady was outside on break and had just lit up. Ok, made it through that but not safe yet. There’s 3 stores to pass in route to my home. I pulled over and took a moment rather than darting in the store; buying a pack…smoking a couple; saving one for later, and throwing the pack in the trash. Yes; I’ve done that many times. Anyhoo, so I sat and had a few deep breaths, convinced myself that with 22days already; this craving would pass. That and I always think about all the abuse I’ve put on my lungs; that it’s so incredible that the human body will heal itself if you’ll give it a chance. I think about the little hairs on the lungs growing back; teeth and gums feeling better…etc. So, I made it through the bizarre craving and woke up this morning,day 23;nicotine free. How glorious!!! I am so grateful for all the post and peoples experiences shared here. It really works !
Day 23 for me and cravings are so much better, i rarely struggle these days! my only problem is my stomach…constipation is awful and making me feel like crap. I believe if it wasn’t for that, i would be feeling the increased energy. That coupled with the increased appetitite is not a good combinbation lol!! Really hoping this eases soon…thoughts?
no matter what, i will not smoke!
I am going into my 23rd day. It is ok when I wake up and stuff but just now I get random times I want a cigarette. I tell myself it will pass and sometimes I go to the garage where everyone smokes to smell it because remembering how disgusting it smells helps me. Food does taste different I have to say. I don’t like some things I used to anymore since I’m still healing from my cardiac ablation. It’s hard to know how it’s helping me health-wise.
I have had numerous days where I have maybe only thought of cigarettes once or twice. Today, however, I have wanted to smoke all day long. I can not stop thinking about it. Any idea why? Nothing out of the ordinary has triggered this either, so I am perplexed. I will not smoke, no matter what, but it is really annoying that I still feel this way!
It may not be over yet, either. You will occasionally get cravings for a while yet. I didn’t make it a 30 day journal for nothing! I bet you felt much better the next day anyways.
THANKS 🙂 I FELT BETTER FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT CAME BACK FOR A DAY. IT’S BIZARRE. I AM ALMOST WANTING ONE MORE NOW THAN WHEN I FIRST QUIT! BUT IT WILL NOT BEAT ME. NOT ONE PUFF. NO MATTER WHAT!
As of about 20 minutes ago day 21 has started. Been a tough outing. I’m noticing the benefits every day. Exercising Is becoming easier day by day. Totally amazed at how many things have been accomplished over the past three weeks. Problem solving as well as grasping my responsibility for bad decisions are a godsend.
Every day at dinner I read 5 to 10 entries from your 30 day journal. Thank you so much. My dad who passed away last june of als as well as complications from copd I’m sure is smiling down on me. Thank you again for the entries into your quit.
He most certainly is smiling down on you. Thanks for the kind words. Makes me feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Congratulations so far and keep up the great work!!
Really great to have these posts to read. A lot of sites talk about the craving going away in 5 days as nicotine is gone from your body. but it does not. i am on day 16, and it is nice to see that things are going to get better in terms of the cravings (and other good benefits) in a few more days. this just helped me get through a massive craving (this and a tootsie pop). so thank you so much for sharing.
Day 23 not smoking, and can’t believe how great I feel! Some cravings around Day 20 and Day 21, but minimal. I drank water to ride the storm of nicotine addiction. Took about an hour to dissipate EACH OCCURRENCE. I realized I was actively rationalizing how smoking “just one” wouldn’t really matter, or diminish my 23-day accomplishment of quitting. But I knew better, and fought through cravings. My lungs feel different–I have lots MORE wind when I walk. My skin feels like a baby’s skin. My teeth and gums are pink again. I smell and taste everything. Some foods I can’t eat anymore due to my ability to taste better. The sense of accomplishment, additional free time daily, and more money in my pocket are bonuses. Living in the mountains means everything costs more. This translates into $7.00 a pack, times 15 packs per month. I love not smoking. If you haven’t taken the plunge away from nicotine yet, be kind to yourself; quit when you’re ready. Don’t be shamed or guilted into the attempt to quit. Success is rarely achieved with people hounding/lecturing on the quitting-smoking subject, good intentions notwithstanding. If you do decide to quit, be kind to yourself; you’ve already won by acting on your decision not to smoke anymore. Good luck, all!
Great post! Congratulations on your achievements so far, and thank you for your contribution.
This article helped me find some inner peace and even some excitement with my 23 days of being cigarette free. I feel my depressions and anxieties drifting away as I learn to cope and create new reasoning skills. I am so proud of myself and I love love love reading this passage!!! Thank you.
Vic