Hello

[Eric_L.]

I'm glad you are all still here.  I just smoked after a temper tantrum of one my kids and a poor night sleep.  I wish I would have tried delaying u til tomorrow.  It's odd a cigarette really tasted bad.  I also learned that I can drink coffee without smoking but having a beer and smoking really is hand in hand.

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

I see you have been in our community before.  Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  What will you do differently THIS time? I hope you will take time to read, plan, prepare and commit to the effort.  I am assuming you are quitting vaping?

It's common sense that anything you put in your lungs that isn't clean air can't be good for you! You will need to substitute “vape” or “device” as you do the reading I will recommend. Research suggests nicotine may be as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Because vaping is available to you most anywhere, anytime, I believe it might be more difficult from which to break free than regular tobacco products - but it CAN be done! There is a blog written by one of our success stories that you might find informative: I Quit Smoking and Vaping - EX Community . If you would like to use a quit aid and would like information on the various ones, let me know.

I recommend that you educate yourself on what nicotine does to your body and mind To that end, I suggest Allen Carr's “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.”, which can be purchased online or borrowed from your local library. Here is a video to inform you further about nicotine addiction : Nicotine and Your Brain.

The idea is to change up your routines so the vaping associations are reduced. Drink your coffee with your OTHER hand in a place different from where you vaped. Maybe switch to tea for a bit. If you always had that first puff with your coffee, try putting your tennies on right out of bed, going for a quick walk, then taking your shower and THEN your coffee! Rearrange the furniture in the areas you used to vape so the view is different. Take a different route when you are out and about so you aren't driving by your vaping supply shop. Take the Daily Pledge each day, Just look for it on the home page. It helps to hold yourself accountable to your quit and the community..

You need to distract yourself through any craves. You can take a bite out of a lemon (yup - rind and all), do a few jumping jacks, go for a brisk walk or march in place, play a computer game. Keep a cold bottle of water with you from which to sip. Don't let that vaping thought rattle around in your brain unchallenged. You will need to be disciplined in the early days to distract yourself when a crave hits. Get busy! Here is a list of things to do instead of vape if you need some fresh ideas:

101 Things to Do Instead of Smoke - EX Community

The conversation in your head in response to the "I want to vape" thought needs to be, "Well, since I have decided not to do that anymore, what shall I do instead for the three minutes this crave will last?" Then DO it. You will need to put some effort into this in the early days, but it gets easier and easier to do.

Stay close to us here and ask questions when you have them and for support when you need it. We will be with you every step of the way!

Nancy

[sweetplt]

Welcome Back @Eric_L. 

Sorry you lost your quit.  Learn from it…don’t beat yourself up and get back in the journey.

Do the work, you can do this…

May I suggest, if you haven’t already, read at https://www.becomeanex.org/my-ex-plan/ there you will make a quit date (usually in 2 weeks in order to plan), also, there you will plan for your quit date like no other.  During this time you will decide all the things you will do in place of smoking.  Here is a list to get you started.  https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/t5/Journals-Blogs/101-Things-to-Do-Instead-of-Smoke/ba-p/1028319 

Lastly, come to the support site often and blog for help, your feelings, progress, etc., and/or also read other’s blogs and encourage them on this journey.  It is a group effort.

Remember to Breath. (See the breathing exercise below)

We are here for you. Get working, this takes hard work and commitment…

You can do this, You are so worth the quit.

Colleen 1430 DOF 

[MarilynH]

Welcome back @Eric_L. It's been awhile, deep breaths and start stacking up those precious days of DOF ~ Days Of Freedom again! Get back on track, you can do this! 

[Barbara145]

Hi Eric.  It has been a while.  Good to see you have kids.  I remember way back when, you and your wife wanted kids.  You are blessed.  Sorry you smoked.  Make a commitment to yourself that you will never smoke another one.  I did that 9 years ago and I honored that commitment to myself.  It feels wonderful.  You can do it.  God bless you and your beautiful family

[Snowdoggie]

@Eric_L. So sorry you lost your quit. Glad you came back here. Reach out and type "Help" in the blog title if you think you are going to smoke. We will try to talk you out of it. Wishing you the best.🚭

[Barbscloud]

@Eric_L. Glad you're still here also.  It's been a while since we've heard from you.   I see you picked a new quit date for today. That's great.

You might try staying closer to the site for support.  And remember to reach out before you smoke, not after. It can just be enough time to refocus your thinking.  It really works!

Have you ever tried taking the Daily Pledge.  It helps to keep you on track one day at a time and to support your fellow quittters.

We're here for you, so reach out any time we can help.

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[Eric_L.]

Thanks for comments