Goodbye Letter

[BlackieMojo3132]

I am happily saying goodbye to vaping as I did to cigarettes 5 years ago and was only using the nicotine lozenges really almost had it over and done with until my neighbor let me pull on his vape the flavor was frosted sugar cookies. I have come to the conclusion that when it tastes really good and you have a hand to mouth compulsion disorder making it yummy makes it incredibly difficult to stop and I have already made up my mind but I really don't have extra health or money to spare as I'm 65 I cannot afford to get sick and I can't afford the prices they charge for this stuff hundreds and hundreds of designs and manufacturers and juices salts and everything in between it's almost a relief that I don't get it I don't want to get it I want to get it gotten out of my life. So goodbye to the prosthesis at the end of my right hand which I go bonkers if I can't find it and it's usually close by I feel so silly I know it's not my fault and yes I'm going to say goodbye this will be one of the best things I've ever done for my health and it will definitely make me feel better having laid down that vape for the last time and not pulling money out of my wallet to pay for something that can kill me. So just a few more weeks of prepping my mind and my habits to realize that I can be free and I have help so goodbye vape. Wish I could get a refund but don't care either way I have congestion in my lungs and it's not going to get better if I keep vaping so goodbye vape. Goodbye forever. My dog will be happy my fish tank won't have a thin layer of oil that's probably not very good for my fish. Won't have to worry about running out of coils or vape juice or if it's charged so there are many bigger better things to think about other than a vape thank you but no thank you goodbye vape.

[Barbscloud]

@BlackieMojo3132 Welcome to EX. Glad you found us. A good-bye letter is a great way to begin your journey.

No matter the source, nicotine is an addictive chemical so yes it can be hard to quit. The fact that you can vape almost anywhere and it tastes good, doesn't make it any easier.

The same principles to quit smoking will apply to your quit. It's important to educate yourself about nicotine and have a quit plan. Knowledge and preparation have been made quitting possible for many of us. I never did neither in the past and I was never successful. I was planning my quit this time and found the Ex a week before my quit date. I finally learned how to quit and how important support from other quitters can be. Read lots of material on the site. This link is a great place to start.

Quitting Guides

Join many of us on the Daily Pledge to stay on track one day at a time.

Believe in yourself that you can do it. Approaching your quit one day at a time helps to alleviate much of the anxiety we experience when we think about quitting.

We're here to support you so reach out anytime you need help, want to share your experience, and to support other quitters.  Look forward to celebrating with you on the 17th.

Stay busy and stay close.

Barb

[YoungAtHeart]

Welcome to our community!

Congratulations on your decision to quit vaping! It's common sense that anything you put in your lungs that isn't clean air can't be good for you! Those flavors come from chemicals and aren't regulated, so no IDEA what they might do to 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, and comes in so many flavors,  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

[CommunityAdmin]

Welcome @BlackieMojo3132! Thank you for sharing your good-bye letter. My name is Quiana, and I am a part of the EX Team. Congratulations on your decision to quit! I wanted to reach out and personally welcome you to the EX Community! We are so excited you have joined us. This is a very supportive community so feel free to keep us all posted on your quit journey reach out and let us know if you need anything.

Please join our vaping group where there are more focused discussions on this topic.

Here are some articles that might be helpful as you prepare for your quit date: 

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/right-before-you-quit/

https://www.becomeanex.org/ex-resources/about-quitting/get-ready-to-quit/3-ways-to-get-your-support-...

Quiana, EX Team