I DID IT!!
I accomplished my goal! I haven’t smoked for an entire month, and I couldn’t be prouder of myself.
When I look back on these past 30 days, I realize I’ve come a very long way. Today I did not feel any withdrawal symptoms at all, so I feel I’m basically past the physical.
What a great feeling it is to know that nicotine is no longer in my body.
This is my new life.
I’m still a little sick from the cold I acquired from the weather climate changes, but that’s not going to stop me from celebrating my new found freedom. I haven’t gone this long without smoking in years!
One month may not seem like a long time to a non-smoker, but to smokers, it’s an eternity!
When I look back and think about what I’ve all accomplished, it’s just amazing what I can actually do!
You can ask anybody who’s quit, and they will tell you how hard it actually is. If any of you think it’s going to run smooth, and you’ll be free from nicotine in a day or so without worries, think again.
You are in for the ride of your life!
Quitting basically consumed me. It consumed my everyday life.
Once I hit 30 years old, I knew I had to quit because of the health consequences I had already gotten. I got bronchitis when I was 27.
However, I don’t really remember putting an aggressive effort into quitting until I hit 30. After that, I was living by days.
What do I mean by that?
Well, if it was Tuesday, it wasn’t just any old Tuesday, it was Day 3. Wednesday was Day 4.
Then I would relapse and go back to square one. Sunday was Day 1. Monday was Day 2. Tuesday I relapsed and back to square one I went. Thursday was now Day 1. Friday would be Day 2.
See how this all works?
My life wasn’t normal anymore.
I hated it, and I hated myself for doing it. All those negative thoughts about myself made me relapse even more times.
After a while, it became a joke.
My friends would see me not smoking one minute, and then 2 weeks later, I would be chain smoking.
Of course I’d give some lame excuse as to why I started back up, but I always did.
My friends began to doubt me and not take me serious.
I relapsed 100’s of times. I’m not even joking.
This put a strain on friendships, family members, and work. There is not one thing in my life that wasn’t affected by my smoking addiction one way or another.
From the moment I woke up and until I went to bed, I was an addict.
I also knew that if I didn’t quit, I’d be dead relatively early in life.
I’d say with the way I was going, smoking almost 2 packs of cigarettes a day, I was going to die in 5 years.
I drank way too much, I smoked way too much, and I consumed way too much caffeine. I was an addict of them all.
You truly have to wake up one day and decide right then and there that you want to change your life around for the better starting that moment.
It had to be done, and I am 100% glad this happened. My life has totally turned around for the better.
I am moving forward.
So just do it! There is no time to waste!
I can guarantee you RIGHT NOW that you will feel 100% better if you quit.
Yes, the physical withdrawal sucks. If it didn’t suck, everyone would quit, but they don’t.
But it is so worth it in the end.
Once you get past the first couple weeks, it gets much easier. You think you won’t be able to do the same things you did as a smoker, but now as a non-smoker. But that is incorrect thinking, and once you stop, you’ll quickly find out that is not true.
In fact, you’ll be able to do MORE things!
How many things in life are you not able to do, even though you want to, because you are out of shape, lazy, and a chain smoker? I can list dozens of things I liked to do that I CAN do now.
Ever wanted to run a mile? You won’t be doing that as long as you smoke. There are many things to think about.
I can’t stress this enough: QUIT SMOKING!! GO FOR THE GOLD, FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS, AND BE WHO YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE!
It absolutely CAN happen! The first step, is truly being ready to quit.
GO FOR IT!!
Thanks mateo, your blog has been super helpful this past 30 days. I quit smoking cold turkey snd with will power as a driver its really nice to read others stories to keep motivating you to keep going and making it through another day. Your story of the quit days and relapsing back and forth is relatable. I was getting sick of doing just that before i made a decision 30 days ago to stop smoking and learn to enjoy life without them. I smoked for 24 years and started when i was just 10 picking up butts off the ground and lighting them with lighters i found in my dads belongings. I smoked because i saw my mom do it and then i became a big influence on other kids to start smoking. i definitely feel guilty about that… After that i just never stopped you know, it starts as something to do.. something to connect with others like socially and then it becomes something you do in your spare time as a way to relax and then it becomes more… It truly becomes a addiction and your whole life revolves around it like its why you are alive. You literally stop having cigarettes after things or before things.. it changes and you start planning stuff around that 4 hour block in the morning where you need to replenish your nicotine levels. It becomes something really dirty beyond what you could possibly imagine it to be when you start smoking, i smoked for 24 years of my life and since i hit the age of 18 i went from one pack max a day to up to 2 on average and there was periods o smoked upwards of three packs a day. I was always the chain smoker in the group, i was always ragged on for it. Hell i even got my step mom to smoke more because i smoked alot. I quit once for a year prior, i have only gotten this far once before and it was when i made it a year. I restarted for the dumbest reasons honestly and its taken another 4 or 5 years of my life. I could feel my lungs changing for the worst, i get winded even from talking and im not over weight, my great grandma died from emphysema in her 70s but lived a long time with it snd she never stopped smoking. Im only 34 so i think i can change my life starting now, i wont pick up one ever again. In done, i don’t want the rest of my life to be defined by cigarettes. Thanks for keeping this blog up! Feom now on i got reddit to help and for anyone wondering i am definitely still having lung pain and coughing in fact today i had a really bad coughing fit. But im glad im here at this point, they say if you make it this far your odds are really good. At this point its just mind over matter!
Hello everyone! 39 days quit today, since there’s no more days of log book I think it’s worth to keep commenting and encouraging! Yes we are still quit! We don’t comment cuz there are no more days listed but it doesn’t mean we relapsed whatsoever (read that comment here somewhere) we are going strong. Actually days 27-30 were the absolute worst for me, insane, worse than days 3,4,5 etc.. the first days I had momentum and intention, but after a month it all seemed diluted and blurry, like “why did I even quit it wasn’t That bad”… horrible, the mental fight was just stupidly hard. But I guess I sat on my hands, fought my demons and kept telling me there is no choice here, you can get mad, cry or eat your own arm, you not gonna go get cigarettes, that plan B doesn’t exist. So here I am 10 days after that drama still smoke free. Just wanted to tell you this stuff is tricky but no way, fool me twice.. keep going and sitting on your hands! Dont smoke! It’s ugly and stupid
It’s now been 31 days. I am so proud of myself! I WILL NOT have one single puff, ever again. I have quit so many times. Dec 2020 – I quit for an entire year.. well almost. I used a vape… then thought I could “just have one cigarette”. NOPE I couldn’t. I started smoking again for 2 months… off and on. Hiding from everyone.
Then.. I decided that was enough. It tasted bad.. my throat felt funny. I have been completely nicotine free now for 31 days. NO CIGS & NO VAPE. There is no way I can turn back now.
You truly do feel so much better… in ever single aspect of life. I really appreciated this blog. I found myself jotting down the days in my planner… and logging in to see how my experience was in comparison to everyone elses. It’s nice to see that you are not the only one.
F*cK Smoking.
Thanks Everyone!
Hello all! Long time no see! I came back to check in! May 20th was a year smoke free!! It has been amazing and to let those who are in the quitting mode know it CAN happen and it is freaking AMAZING!!!!
I read these posts and it helped me a lot just to know what I was feeling was just part of it. It has been A little over 2 years for me and all the cravings and sickness are a thing of the past. I can walk down the street and actually smell the plants and trees in the spring, people cooking on their deck just everything it is amazing and I did not even know I was missing it.
Hello Everyone I just wanted to update. It’s been 2 years and 6 months, I just wanted to let everyone know that all the bad shit is completely done. No more cravings, Congestion, cough, or anything, I feel awesome. Hopefully none of you have as long of a road to recovery as I did. So just count on 2 years and 6 months, if you smoked 2-5 packs a day for 30 years like I did. If you smoked less, count on a quicker recovery time.
OMG!!!!! DAY 30 HAS ARRIVED AN HOUR AND A HALF AGO……What a journey it has been the last 30 days. To think back to day 3 or day 5 seems like months ago. I feel like I’ve matured in some weird kind of way too! I don’t dare celebrate reaching day 30 because for me I just want to keep it going instead of getting excited and feeling like the pressure is now gone or something…
It would be great to have more people still using this place to comment but honestly I’m just glad its here even if nobody sees my post. Deep down inside I’m very proud of myself for this accomplishment. I just don’t want to focus on it too much that’s all….
I’m still going to check in every few days or so just to continue to put my days of being a non smoker on up here….
What a great day today truly was 🙂
WTG Sheila you made it to your 30th day, but don’t let your guard down. Over the next 6 months you’ll have a lot of days where your thinking you got this licked, but then there will be one day out of the blue where you’ll have a craving like your first day, but it won’t last all day, it will be like 5 to 10 min. Just tell yourself no and start doing something so your not thinking about it. Stay Strong
Thank you so much for the comment Dave…I pretty much know that i’m going to have to be very careful even at 6 months of no smoking! You are so right too! Even one cigarette in a few months could very well have anybody starting to smoke again!
I’m hanging in there and trying to be strong. I think I can do it but I am really going to have to keep myself busy because the cravings come when I’m just sitting in my apt doing nothing ya know? Anyway! ty once again!!
I’m stopping in today in hopes this can help someone else who is nearing the 30 day smoke free time frame that I reached almost 2 weeks ago. Today I’m on day 43 and I have to admit its a lot easier now then it was on day 30. Very few triggers at all now. Even when I get one it doesn’t last long. Overall just so much better and easier!
I hope anybody who stumbles into this ongoing blog finds at least some comfort and help while they are on this journey to reach 30 days. I’m still posting on here and will probably continue to until months or even a few years go by. Good luck to anybody who is viewing any of my comments.
Hello Everyone
It’s now been 2 years and 3 months since I’ve smoked, the last time I wrote here I was having problems with on and off congestion. I had a CT scan of my chest and a Lung Function test done recently and surprisingly everything came back fine. Doc said that it’s some unknown element causing Asthma. I know longer have any kind of cravings for a cigarette, Now I get these very realistic dreams where i’m smoking and feeling ashamed of having gone back to smoking, then I wake up and realize it was just a dream and I thank god.
Other than that I feel fine. I hope my comments help y’all out.
Day 32. This quit has been so much better! I don’t yearn to smoke like I did before. I actually don’t think of smoking much. When I quit in June and went for 10 weeks, it was hell the whole time. That was a long time to miss cigarettes as much as I did. It never got easy for me. But I attribute this site for going as long as I did, and especially for now too. I wish everyone the best of luck on their quit journey.
I’m 53 days in and this site is what kept me from cracking and giving in. I haven’t read these posts for a while but it sure does give me flashbacks when I read them!! It’s still a daily battle for me after smoking 55 years. I don’t think about cigarettes as often as I used to but I still think about them everyday. I wish this site had continued on after 30 days. I’ll continue to wait this out until cigarettes are gone from my mind.
You definitely should not let your guard down yet. The mental stuff will honestly still linger around for a couple months. Now not everyday, and they become fewer and fewer with each passing day, but they do still come. Stay strong.
Thank you for replying Mateo!! After all these years you are still cheering everyone on. You’re Awesome!!
Hello All,
It’s now been 2 years since I quit smoking, I’ve noticed in the last month that I’ve been thinking about smoking again. I find it amazing that after 2 years I’m still thinking about it. You would think that my brain would stop trying to convince me to smoke a cigarette, I guess it takes longer, but it’s more of a thought than a craving, something I can flip the bird to. I’m still fat, which I don’t like. I started going for a bike ride, I rode 6 miles. back in my youth I used to ride 100 miles every Saturday, then I stared smoking and got lazy. My goal is to get myself back up to my 100 miles every Saturday. it’s a really good exercise for loosing weight. Have you ever seen a fat bicycle rider?, not to mention it’s good for your heart and lungs. Congratulations to Everyone who has made it to there 30th Day. Brian I wrote a reply to you down below.
Day 31 here! I can’t believe I did this! I have never ever gone this far! When you accomplish this it makes you feel so great that everything else is within my grasp! Now time to go for another accomplishment with fitness! Thank you so much Mateo! Though I’m a bit sad because every single day I referred to this blog and now where do I go or do? Kinda bittersweet! Thank you again for this blog!!!
Day 21 here. 45 days ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer at 53. I knew I had to quit, my plan was to wait until after surgery and go to my doctor and get on Chantix or something. But when I went in for surgery 20 days ago, I hadn’t smoked the day before and was in the hospital for a few days, no smoking there. When I got home I knew that smoking would hinder my healing.
So here I am at day 21, I’m glad I’ve not smoked. I have been talking myself out of smoking and having arguments in my own head why NOT to smoke every day. Some days have been easier than others. Some days I hardly think about smoking. Today has not been one of those days.
I hope that someday, hopefully not too far from now, I wont think about smoking every stinking day. I don’t want to smoke, I cant take a chance that if I do my chances of getting cancer again is greater.
I’m glad I found this page. You all make me feel less alone in this. Thanks!
Well best of luck to you Samantha you have about 6 months total before you will stop thinking about smoking. It does get easier each month that passes, just remember the terrible 3’s , that’s day 3, the 3 week mark and the 3 month mark, and actually for me the months 4 and 5 had it’s ups and downs, but it will pass just hang in there. It will be my 2 year mark in July.
Hello and thanks for saying that! I am 30 days now and week 3 was a surprise wow, I thought I was sort of past thinking about them and had a rough day in the IT world and that whole week was like day 3 ha, just found this site and I think I may revisit it once in awhile, you are all inspiring!!! Good luck everyone and I am out here doing my best with it too, need to turn 30 days into 60 next 😉
I am day 11, after having been a pack a day smoker for 40 years. I always said i would quit when smoking became a health issue, what was i thinking?? So after recently being diagnosed with copd after spending months coughing and struggling to breathe i am stupidly still craving a cigarette even though i know it’s on it’s way to killing me. I will stick with it (i hope) but anyone struggling to stop, please please do it now before it becomes a death sentance.
Hi, im at day 35, my anxiety have gotten less. But so proud of myself. Smoking since 21 y/o and now 35 y/o. I never tought i could. But yes the first week was gotten to think who you are as a non smoker. Your new refreshing identity. This blog has helped me alot. Thank you. #coldturkeyquitter
Well I’ve miscounted and I’m actually hitting day 31 today, yay. So proud of what I’ve achieved and will continue to achieve.
Most of the time I don’t even think about smoking, but every now and then when I’m feeling stressed (always a work thing) I think a cigarette would fix this. Deep down I know it won’t and those thoughts never last too long, but it’s still there sometimes.
Just before I stopped smoking, cold turkey 31 days ago, I had a really bad smokers cough, I would plan my meetings around being able to smoke and I would stand outside in the pouring rain, just to have my fix.
Now life feels so much easier. I’d say I don’t think about smoking 95% of the time and that gives me the strength to not smoke when my mind tries to play tricks in me by saying that one cigarette won’t hurt! I know it will and the truth is, I don’t want to smoke.
I went to the supermarket the other day and saw someone smoking. They are about 20 metres away from me. I could smell the smoke and it made me feel sick.
I’ll never smoke again, but I will check in here every now and then. Thank you for your help.
Hello All,
I just wanted to give an update it’s now been 1 year and 5 months, at the one year mark, my lungs were still healing and I was congested beyond belief.
I’m finally not wheezing. I also had severe acid reflux at about the 1 week mark, it finally went away 2 weeks ago. (Thank god!!!) I thought it was never going to go away. I have no more cravings but I do have the occasional depression that hits me every now and then, Hopefully that will go away as well. Other than that I feel great. In case you didn’t see my other posts, I was one of the worst chain smokers for 25 years. (2-5 packs a day) That’s why I’m giving updates to let you all know that all the bad shit eventually goes away.
The one thing that hasn’t gone away is the weight. I still look like I’m in the 2nd trimester lol. Maybe that too will go away, or maybe what old people say is true, and that is when you get older you get fat and never get rid of it.
Any way good luck everyone, and remember that your body is going through a transformation and it sucks for a while, but it will be worth it. Thanks Mateo for the site.
Hey Dave. Love reading the comments. I’m on month 9 and some change cold turkey after 13 years of unfiltered tobacco out of a pipe. I am 24.
I couldn’t be any more congested. My lungs are tight. I actually had an “asthma” attack from playing frisbee golf…. it was the walking and the heat that ultimately did it.
Reading all the comments loosens up my chest. I can breathe again. It’s been 9 months and I keep coming back here.
Does the tightness go away? Does the chronic stuffy nose ever clear up? What was the bad and when does the good start? I’d love to chat about your journey.
Sorry for the late reply I just saw your response.
When I wrote my last comment my lungs felt like they had cleared up, but then about a month later, I was congested once again. My doctor keeps trying to tell me I have Asthma. (I don’t believe him,) but I don’t know why all the sudden I’m congested. It seems to be on and off. I can tell you I tried Albuterol, and I noticed that it made my lungs tight like you were describing. I stopped taking it, and now I’m wheezing still, but my lungs aren’t tight. I finally got an appointment to see a pulmonologist to do a lung function test. (it’s taking me a year and a half to see one, and I still don’t see one until October.) I don’t think it’s asthma, because in march and April I went into the mountains and cut and split 9 cords of Firewood, and I had no congestion or breathing problems. Maybe you should ask your Doc to send you to a pulmonologist for a lung function test, I’ll let you know in the beginning of NOV what the Doc said. I’m also going for a CT scan in about a month. I’m kind of pulling out all the stops, So I can return to perfect health again.
Hi everyone Jay from England here.
Iv posted a few times during this blog, and thought it was only right to post 1 last time on the final day.
So yeah day 30 cold Turkey today.
What an absolute up and down rollercoaster the past 30 days has been.
Feeling very proud of my will power. It’s been extremely helpful reading everyone’s comments everyday throughout the past 30 days, youv all become like a little quit smoking support family.
So during this time iv experienced all the withdrawals.. I would have to say the the cravings come at their strongest 1st thing in the mornings when I wake up and have my morning coffee for a few minutes or so but then I’m alright throughout the rest of the day. I dont know what it is but this morning iv woken up and I have been experiencing super strong cravings right from the moment I opened my eyes but I’m just going to soldier on. It’s really annoying bcoz i was around my friend last night and he was smoking
marijuana and unfortunately for 1 split second I caught half a lung full of 2nd hand marijuana smoke and I know it sounds silly but I cant help thinking that, this has set the receptors off in my brain again making me want and crave a smoke even though I didnt puff on anything myself personally and only caught 1 brief lung full by accident.
I’ll be so mad if it has set me back and toyed with my progress.
Anyway thankyou again for this blog Mateo, stay strong everyone and good luck for remaining smoke free forever.
30 DAYS:We have done the unthinkable!!! Congratulations, to everyone who has made it this far. Keep up the great work, while continuing to move forward!!!
To those who have failed to make it; Get up, dust yourself off, and try again. It will get better. Maybe not today, it will soon.
Thank you, Matteo
~KC
I started smoking at 15, was a pack a day smoker by 20, and spent ten years being a pack a day smoker until quitting now at 30. I am on DAY 17, and feel much better physically in my lungs, I don’t even get so many cravings, but have definitely been dealing with a lot of depressed and sad feelings, how far in did most people find these feelings begun to go away? They are the only thing that make me feel like smoking again, but I won’t, have gone too far already
I made it to day 32 as of today!! And my life is non-stop stress!! I really hope this time is forever!
Keep up the good work Heather. I am on day 30 today, 10/5/20 and it’s stressful bit well worth it.
Sweeeeeeet!!! Day 30. I feel soooo much better. I have quit a dozen times. Once even for8 years! And then, oh just one stressful night…..daaaaaa. Never again. I am once again, enjoying my freedom. I notice big changes in my gums. Disgusting changes, but positive.
And this site is great Matt. Thank you.
Cigarettes are evil. They play with you like so many gremlins. Get stubborn. Get determined. Win this choice to be free and happy of the stench, slavery and expense . If I can do this? So can you.
I am Sandhya from New Delhi India,
This covid given me chance to avoid smoking because I was afraid that smoking might increase chance of covid (I know cancer is dangerous too)
I am not smoking for 2 month, is there any possibility that I might start again.
Many congratulations for being non smoker for two months !! It is a huge accomplishment. You should treat urself big.
Now coming to another part of ur post!! The more u think about something the more u wish to do it. When u r already past two months why you r thinking about the term “smoking” !! Don’t think !!
I was a chain smoker till July end. I google to see how much recovery my body has done. I feel great. My energy levels r improving. Thanks
I’ve. Been quit 33 days today feeling a lot better went from 3 breathing treatment a day to one a day i crave but not bad i smoked 44 years i have almost all my life
Don’t go for “just one”
I made it to day 30 I broke my record of 22 days in 1997 I’m not going back there’s no way I’m going back to day one no way I’m putting another cigarette in my mouth ever again I love my new found freedom I love being able to breathe I’m still coughing a little bit and sometimes I’ll just get winded for no reason but it’s okay I don’t have to smoke I don’t have to rely on nicotine and got that monkey off my back and thanks Mateo for all the inspiration and I wish you would go further with this and make it day 31 and day 45 and day 192 but I guess we’re on our own now it’s time for us to fly on our own and be the person that we were meant to be I know I can achieve greatness I know I can achieve anything that I desire I’m stronger than nicotine I’m stronger than cigarettes and I don’t have to smoke to calm down and relax. again I want to say thank you and thank you to everybody that’s out there doing this thing it’s tough I know Day 3 the cravings came on me like the crips and the bloods but I’m over it now don’t really have too many cravings food tastes better I can smell things better I live better keep going guys and remember this your cravings can’t do anything to you but you can do everything so don’t smoke or it’s back to day one
I do have an entire YouTube channel you can check out too. Links are all over the place.
I have made it to 1 year without smoking and I must say I feel so much better then I did when I started to quit. It took time and the improvements were so subtle, that I didn’t really notice them, kind of like how your health goes slowly downhill when you start to smoke. My lungs are still trying to clean themselves out, but I’m not gasping for air when I exert myself. I also notice that I have a lot more energy then I used to, I actually want to go outside and work on things. Usually I just wanted to sit inside and smoke all day. I also don’t miss that craving. I was a 5 pack a day smoker for 25 years. I love to smoke even now. If it weren’t for the health aspect and the addiction I’d still smoke, but it is worth giving up. good luck to everyone that’s quitting, and remember if you get a craving, tell yourself to fuck off.
Great testimony btw do you still Havre cravings even after a year?
yeah sometimes I do, but it’s mostly like a flash back , like sitting on my back porch in the evening and having a smoke, but it fades away pretty quick. Even now I see people smoke and I think man that sounds like a good Idea. but then I remember the struggle to quit and the horrific heartburn, and mood swings and think no way I’m going back to that. For me I have always enjoyed the smell of a cigarette and I always will, but I don’t miss the cravings or hundreds of dollars spent a month.
Thirty days for me going for 90 days.
Good luck Mary, just so you know right around the 3 month mark you’ll get cravings like your first week, and again right around month 4 and 5 but 4 and 5 aren’t as bad. You can do it though.
Just keep yourself busy.
Hi,
This is Himanshu from India,aged 26 years was smoking since last 7 years and lockdown helped me to work on my plan to quit. Although it’s my first attempt to quit but I am sure Iwill be able to go through it.
Despite knowing disastrous effect on health,Iwas smoking relentlessly and never realised that cigarette was never my friend,it always harmed me.
Hope all other non-smokers going through withdrawal symptoms will win this fight.
and yes Namaste from India!!
HK
Thought I would share my experience after using this blog as inspiration to help me during my quit. I’m 33 years old from south africa been smoking since I was 16. Today i have reached day 30 of quitting cold turkey and its been the toughest thing I’ve ever done. After paying ridiculous money for cigarettes during the lockdown you realise what an addiction this really is. The first 2 weeks were ok only cravings but by week 3 the chest and back pain was really bad. I had hardly any cough but was really fatigued and moody. Every day is getting better and better and I’m so proud of myself. I will never smoke again.
Awesome man! I started on May 11th as well and agree 100% with everything you have said.
I think you are all very brave , quitting in isolation is a crazy experience to say the least , I have attempted day 35 of smoke free isolation and had some rough days, I quite for a year a while back and felt so great , relapsed for two years and now back in the fight again , be your best friend and take care of yourself , I try to say 3 positive statements before I get out of bed in the morning and it helps sometimes and sometimes I just crave a smoke for days and my lungs ache , this makes me angry enough to call it all the negative things I can think off be safe be strong From
Hello I’m on my 11th month of quit for those of you that have a heavy to tight chest, it will get better. For me I had itchy lungs between 5-7 months then I started coughing up nasty crap for awhile, now all of it is gone. and I don’t have any more surprise cravings. where out of the blue it feels like I’m on day 1 of quitting and I really want a smoke. The cravings don’t last as long though as they did when I first quit. I was a 5 pack a day smoker for 25 years, and surprising I’m still alive. Keep it up y’all!!!
I quit during lockdown. I’m just over 2 months now. What symptoms should i expect now? Chest feels a bit heavy/tight at times is this normal, other than that feeling good. Look forward to your response.
I’m on day 71, and also have a tight chest some days. Also have backache and my lungs still hurt. Everyone is different and so is their recovery. I hope it gets bette.
Hi Carl are you still going strong I do hope so this lockdown quitting is stressful lol I’m in UK
Hi Mateo
Just wanted to say thank you! Your site has helped me so much during these few weeks. Keep well
Hi from sunny England, Well I am on day 31 have read your blog everyday and has helped a lot thank you. I feel good for quitting but just can’t get rid of the blocked sinuses. I think being in lockdown has helped a lot with the quitting and am hoping when this is all over I will not be tempted again. Stay safe everyone x x
Im in South Africa, and also quit during lockdown
Am in South Africa as well, hated the fact that I was buying backdoor cigarettes at an exorbitant price during lockdown. Am on day 8 and have been smoking for 20 years.
Will not smoke again, let’s stand strong against this bad habit.
Hi everyone. Well done to you all. I have also used the lockdown as an excuse to quit. Also at day 30 into the
battle. Stay safe everyone.
Nice Shelley, I’m also quitting in lockdown, good luck! I did find a good time to quit too, especially with a novel virus going around… and sadly enough smokers are definitely a risk group!
Dont know you at all, but proud of you and keep it going haha!
Also stay safe 🙂
Also Matt, thank you very much for these amazing blog posts
Quit in lock down too, I am from Greece! Good job everyone!!! Thanks Mateo have been looking forward to reading your post at the end of every day and you helped in making me feel proud of myself and strong!
I was just cleaning up my favorites list and came across this link. I posted on here in the early days of quitting smoking. Well, today is day 645. I have not touched tobacco in all that time. I don’t think about smoking anymore but boy am I ever grateful that I quit. I used to get a chest infections every year, especially during the winter months. I have not been sick since the day I quit!
Now that I have that behind me I’m tackling my addiction to alcohol. On day 41! Cheers to those with multiple addictions, it can be done!
Great update man! Glad things are going well for you. Keep it up!
Well done you, i know how you feel I’m an alcoholic 43 months sober and just 31 days of no fags xxx
Hi Mateo. I just had to check back again and say thank you. I’m on 7 months and 4 days cold turkey. I don’t really think about smoking anymore at all, even when I gamble in a casino and others are smoking. The only time I get a craving, and it’s quite severe is when I lose my temper / get mad. I can feel that withdrawal feeling in my chest again. I remind myself of what I went through to quit and the feeling goes away pretty quickly. I’ve never been free of smoking since I was a child, it’s a strange feeling. I did gain some weight, but it was worth it! Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for everything again!
Congrats man! Isn’t it a great feeling to not think about it? I’m going on 4 years myself.
It’s my 83rd Day since I quit and I feel like crap. I Have what feels like heart palpitations all day long it could be my lungs healing. Hey Mateo did you get anything like that after you quit right around the 3 month mark? I have severe acid reflux, my Sinuses are all completely infected, I was supposed to get surgery last week for that but someone f….d the paper work so now I have to wait. Every once in awhile I get a craving for a smoke out of nowhere it’s not psychological it’s physical cause it’s in my chest. I almost break down and go get a smoke when it happens, but I stop myself cause I don’t want to go back to day 1. My stomach looks like I should be able to write the book the 3rd trimester and what to expect! I’m also developing man boobs, at this rate I’ll have to go out and buy a cup A size bra. Other than that I’m doing good, I hope everyone else who has quit doesn’t have this much fun.
I also have the chest thing at times. Chest feels tight/heavy more when I’m laying down.
Day 30 I have no cravings for a smoke I’m no longer a slave. Good job to everyone that’s made it to day 30. Mateo I showed my doctor your site. he added It to his favorites and is going to tell everyone that’s trying to quit about it. Thanks for the site!!
Wow thanks! That’s amazing!
I’m on day 63 (9 weeks) today, cold turkey. It’s been one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I had withdrawal, and when that was over I still wasn’t feeling well physically. I think my blood sugar levels were going crazy, anxiety, and complete lack of energy. Those have started to subside. The last 2 weeks I have been feeling better and better. I still get the occasional craving, sometimes it lasts a few minutes, other times a little longer. After 35 years I feel I am finally free of it. It was a very hard journey, very miserable, but now that I’m here, I’m so glad I did it. Thank you Mateo for all your help and support.
Way to go man. That’s awesome!!
I am 32 days free as of today and quit cold turkey. I still have cravings and I can feel the monster is still alive although smaller and weaker each day. The most miserable part of this for me has been not being able to concentrate on work and putting on weight. I work out with a PT three times a week,I run two days and I ride horses 2 times
Per week. So I am already super active and don’t know how much more I can move. Also I am not eating like crazy. I started at 57kgs now I Am 60kgs. Any tips on this? Am I retaining water or this is actual weight? And also when will I start to be able to concentrate again?
And congrats to all of you! This is the hardest journey ever.
Just trust in the process. Your body is healing itself and putting everything back together. Don’t worry about a couple pounds here and there. Certainly better than going back to smoking!
I actually made it!! This was day 30!! I am so happy to say that the nicotine is completely out of my system, and I am no longer a slave, wasting half my day running outside for a smoke that I no longer even enjoyed. Thank you God! I feel amazing, and I have to say, I really don’t even think about smoking anymore. My life has completely changed for the better. This site has been a tremendous help. Thank you Mateo. Stay strong all of you fellow NON-SMOKER’S!
Thank you and congratulations!! Way to go!
Electronic cigarettes advertisement in the article? Are you kidding me???
That’s how I quit this last, final time. I’m a huge advocate of switching to vaping to get rid of smoking cigarettes, and then weening yourself off from there. They are a million times better than cigarettes. This isn’t just a “cold turkey” site.
On day 4 today. Ive been smoking for 11years. Started when i was only 14, im 25 now.
Every morning it gets easier, but the craving during the day doesnt get easier yet. I use about 2 nicotine chappies a day. Only one for day 4. I feel like i lost a friend, that im going through a breakup. It feels like im missing something, like i want to do something and then i remember oh shoot i cant. It is hard on me, i get so depressed. I love not smelling like a ashtray anymore. But i really just want to get better now.
Day 19 I read each day every morning when I get up than you for the inspiration hardest thing I have ever had to do
to all trying to quit good luck if I can do it any one can I smoked for 31 years
Today I have decided that I do not want this life anymore. I wake up everyday saying that I’m going to quit today but when I get home after work, back to square one. But I have made a conscious decision that my life is more important than anything else, I can’t wait to be counting day 30, but let me take it hour by hour. Thank you for this site.
Day 30!!!!!!!!!!! I FEEL AMAZING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO LIVING A SMOKE FREE LIFE!!!!!!!! THE BEST LIFE..
Hi. How are you? Has that perverbial monkey remained on the sidelines and off your back? Today I’m on day 32. I’m doing well, trying everything in my power to curb this nasty habit doing so cold turkey. As known by all, at times, this process is far from a walk in the park, although that too helps to stop the cravings. My focus is to replace the triggers and the cravings with the means necessary to deter the persuading evil. I’ve Incorporated a steady regimint of exercise, I started and completed a 7 day cleanse, ridding my body of all toxins, psychologically maintaining that sense of a fresh start. I’ve also changed my eating habits. What you eat/drink are hugh factors which can contribute to smoking, and when modified, it will help with the temptations. Honestly, I’ve felt good immediately putting down the first cigarette, knowing in my mind and heart that I was ready to give this valiant effort to quitting. However, day 27 was a bit different, I experienced a tightness in my chest. I said, geeze after quitting now I’m going to have a heart attack, but it passed. I also, at one time drank alcohol, today im 550 days free of that desease. Both cravings come and go and if you focus on the goal to remain addiction free, it Will eventually pass. One odd reason I continued smoking was because I thought it made me a better singer. but after just 32 days, I am now better able to each those high notes. If we all follow this new way of living, we too can hit those high notes. Stay well, stay safe, and keep on truckin’ to a better way of life. God bless!
Day 34 Today! It was not easy but it does get easier every day. The cravings are still there (occasionally) but not near as strong and they don’t last as long. I found it is helpful to count the number of times I think of a cigarette each day. I started counting on day 12 where I thought of a cigarette 37 times. Yesterday was only 8 (and they were just passing thoughts). Getting better!!!
Im on Day 22 and its been very difficult today. I think Ive bitten off several employees heads. The urges are very strong but Im not going to let them win. I can breath and the pain in my chest has completly gone. 3 packs a day will kill you fast.
Day 30 for me too, after 30 years of smoking. I have urges, but every day I feel stronger. Reading your blog and all your replies is real encouragement. Remember, one day at a time, and tomorrow you will be stronger .. promise !
Hi I just found this brilliant blog and find it great!Im on day nine smoke free and having serious cravings and it’s probably almost all I think about the past 9 days…a massive plus is my lungs feel very clear and that each day I pass is another day healthier than yesterday.If I had of known the hell of quitting I never would have dreamed of starting…here’s to being free of the mental torture-Never again will one dirty cigarette touch my lips.
I’m going on 30 days and I still want a cigarette but I don’t cave in and when I smell cigarette smoke it smells like heaven but I think to myself I haven’t come this far to go back, it’s hard but if that’s your goal and your choice then keep going forward you will feel better. GOOD LUCK
33 days today, I quit so many times in the past. I started when I was 15, i’m now 41. My husband still smokes, I feel pity for him. I usually relapse after 6 months, which is the stupidest thing ever. Not this time, this was the last time I went through that hell. Thanks for the blog, helped me so much.
Dear Mateo, thank you so much for taking the time to document your experiences. Today I reach the 30 day landmark too. Each one of those painful days were made better by reading your diary. I wish only that it had continued to 3 months. Without exaggeration, your diary is the most honest and engaging. I too reached the point when I was coughing and couldn’t breathe, but still thought that drinking cough medicine could help me have a ciggie. The madness of addiction can only be understood by the fellows of addiction, and I will always be an addict. 27 years a slave, 30 days free and still there is a quiet voice that would pull me back to willing slavery. Every day is a little battle, and every day I am grateful that I win. So thank you Mateo.
Been a smoker for 30yrs & am now on day 30 without a drag, went cold turkey, but dont feel any benefits ? But will keep on not smoking, any advice on why i dont feel better ?
I’ve made it 35 days!! It was so worth it!
Great Job I just Quit December 1 2017
Today .. November 16th 2017.. I have done it… I have not smoked for 30days in a row. I have acquired the required strength to Quit after a couple of relapses in the past…
Having smoked since the age of 17 and quitting 30 days in a row was not easy at all. Still a long way to go but I dont wanna go back being a smoker.
Congratulations! Way to go!
This blog has been amazing and has really helped me. I’m on day 30 tomorrow and have been through so many of the same emotions! Thank you very much!
Day 30. Smoked for 30 years, a pack a day. Cilia are coming back to life! Lungs are cleaning out tar. I had the symptom of chest pains that I thought were a heart attack, sleep disturbances, night sweats, no appetite and cravings in the beginning. Feel way better at 30 Days. It’s not a race, it’s a marathon. I wake up every day and surrender to the fact I’m an addict and can’t smoke for that 24 hours. It feels great to be in control of what I decide to put into my body. Keep fighting quitters!!!
Well thank you man. You have no clue how many lives your diaries have saved.
Hi Matt, thanks for the blog !! I am on day 30 ! the sky is blue the sun is warm ! especially in south africa ! i am in a game reserve about to go on a game drive. life is great without smoking !!
This Saturday will be 1 month for me. I started 6 weeks ago, but slipped, and smoked 5 cigarettes on a Saturday night. I was doing great, until I got to drinking. That was it. I had to have a cigarette. And so, I quit drinking altogether, for two weeks, and now drink only in moderation. That was the key in getting me to the doorstep of month two without even a puff. Cold turkey is the only way to go. I feel like a million bucks, every time I go to the gym. Coughing up nasty chunks of brown too a couple times a day now. But I’m glad to see that it is leaving my body. I have occasional cravings, and sometimes severe cravings, but I’m able to ride them out much faster now. They last about 30 seconds. Any WAY, I can’t wait to report that I am 1 year smoke free. Then two years, three, four, etc. Thanks for this site. It has been instrumental in my journey! God bless you all, and the best of luck to you on your way to better health. 🙂
I’m at 13 days smoke-free. I mostly quit for my kids and the money. I’ve been really surprised how easy it really is. I was a 2 pack a day smoker, and a proud smoker. I hope and from the looks of it i will done with smoking. It was a good 15 years, started in the military. What i miss more about smoking is the partnership i thought i had with smoking. I hope to continue being smoke-free.
my exact story!! I’m on day 7
HEY MATEO,
ITS 30 days since, i quit cold turkey…. was tough… still get them
cravings….. took lot of support from your site and few
others… hope to stay smoke free till the end date… just logged
in to comment that you are doing a very very noble thing..
keep it going.. am sure you would have helped lots.. god bless
sunil kumbhat
chennai, india
Day 31 feels great! I can cycle much faster without hurting my lungs.
I was a smoker for 20 years and a very heavy drinker. These last few years I had to give up booze or die young, so I decided to give both up which has helped me keep going. I know if I drink I will smoke.
Now I watch what I eat and enjoy cycling so much more. All money I saved, too, is amazing and can be spent on hobbies.
Time to enjoy life being healthy!
That’s amazing congratulations !!!!!! Your story has encouraged me!!!!
I am 40 days smoke free. It’s been a hell I did not know existed. I am 62 and smoked for 40 years. I want one every day. At Least 40 times a day. I will not go back. I just look to the future. I walk a lot, take showers, chew gum and wait for urge to pass. It does. Good luck to everyone.
Thank you for this blog. I remember writing how hard it was on day 6 and now I am on day 46! I can’t believe it really. Still have lots of urges but I will never take one drag again because I know it will ruin what I have accomplished and why the hell would I want to do that one drag. Pointless really.
If I can quit and be around my big family of smokers than anyone can do it.
Thank you for telling your story and others’ stories because it has helped me a lot to fight my urges and to know that I am not alone.
31 days smock free, feels esthetic. Still get urges but manageable. This is a very helpful site, thanks.
Amazing story. I’m on day 11 Cold turkey too. Like you I like a drink so I’ve stopped completely. Basically I will do everything in my power to stop and for now and the foreseeable that means no alcohol. I given myself 3 months abstinence to start. Well done dude your story is really on point. You’ll inspire many!! Lots of love man xxx.
Woohoo, I made it to day 30 too! After 10 years of smoking, I can honestly say that I never want to go back to it! Thank you for documenting your journey- it definitely helped me get through mine! Here’s to healthy lungs and a healthy life!
I smoked for 22 years and now I’m one month smoke-free. My family encouraged me a lot in getting rid of this bad habit. Day by day I felt better and better. It’s all in your determination and willpower. I am done with my nicotine quota. Bye bye Benson & Hedges!
One month later and I’m still having nicotine withdrawal. I’m also extremely fatigued . Haven’t noticed health benefits, food tasting better, and all of the other wonderful changes non-smokers tell me.
Do you know if and when I will stop feeling this way for good?
Everybody is different and your brain is trying to trick you into smoking. You got it on the ground, just keep kicking it!
I’m on day 31. I’m 26 and have been smoking since I was 16. Quitting is the best thing I’ve done. It took me so many relapses to realize what damage I was doing to myself. Glad I have overcome it and taken the high road of quitting for good. By pure willpower alone I did it. Keep going everyone!
I have 35 days smoke-free. My boyfriend chain smokes “outside”. I combat any urges, which are way less at 35 days in, by reminding myself that I am a recovering nicotine ADDICT and always will be. I must expect it to mess with my mind. So I have to laugh at nicotine when it does this because it is very crafty and slick!! Then BOOM! it goes away. I will not let nicotine out-con me or my brain. Good Luck everyone. Remember knowledge is power!
What a great way of facing the future and being realistic….for you to acknowledge that nicotine will forever try and mess with your mind (and tempt you back to addiction). i like that, and shall take that on board, and will be mindful to remember that if i’m feeling weak. karroll a big well done to you…keep it up! i’ve just got to day 30 (after many quits and relapses) but at 48 yrs old it’s time to really do it this time!
I feel the same way. Today marks my 30 Day nicotine-free. I occasionally use a vapor. Any chance that the vapor is prolonging my cravings?
If there’s nicotine in it, absolutely! If not, then no, that’s impossible.
Today is my Day 30 nicotine-free, and I can totally relate to the freedom I feel emanating from this blog post. Thanks for your post!!
I’m on day 35 and I just wanted to say that group support like this blog post and an app called Quitnet has been helping a lot as it’s a massive community of Quitters who all go through the battle of quitting and supporting each other. I likely would’ve caved in if it wasn’t for community support.
I like Quitnet and have used them before. The site is a little wonky, but I recommend it and I really like their personalized counter for how many cigarettes you haven’t smoked after a number of days. Good stuff! I hope to get something like that here eventually.
Hi Matt also on day 30 I can’t believe I made it.
Don’t let your guard down tho. It’s not completely over. But congratulations!! That’s quite an achievement. Woohoo!
Thanks so much for your blog! I’m currently just finishing day 6. It’s hurting like hell, but reading this definitely makes me think I’m not alone in this fight!
Amazing efforts that will DEFINITELY help every person who visits here for help in quitting smoking. I have been a very bad smoker for 17 years with 15 cigarettes everyday. I never quit before. This is my first and last time I plan to quit. I am on day 7. Visits here and there just to ENCOURAGE myself that I have taken the best step of my life. Live a healthy life.
Wow, thank you soo much for documenting this! Really helps and is very motivating! Well done on your achievement! Only been smoking for 2 years and a bit, but the blocked nose etc. is just killing…and only on day 5! 🙁
Awwww I’m sooo happy! I have 35 days in and I’ll tell you if I had known what I know today I would have never started smoking at the age of 16. I am 54 years old and I feel amazing I run and I exercise everyday bursting with energy.
34 days and i am sitting at store struggling. To buy or not to buy…ugggg i miss it..but i dont….
You don’t miss shit. Just remember how awesome the past 34 days have been without smoking. It’s just the addiction talking.
Hello!!! I have smoked since I was 13 and I’m 36!!!!
I haven’t smoked since I woke up January 1st 2017!!! 32 days without smoking!!!
I visited this site to feel accompanied and it was an awesome partner!
Thanks!!!!
SUPER AWESOME SITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
caracas, venezuela
Wow, that’s great to hear! Thank you so much! And congratulations on making it 32 days! Keep going!
Today is 22 days and it is the hardest thing I have done. Giving birth was easier than quitting smoking but I have done it I’m never going back.
Well I can only speak from the male point of view, but I’ll take your word for it!
Well Done!!!!! This is exactly what I needed, Ill document my days and send it you once I hit my 30 days.
Thank You