[Update: 5 weeks in!] I quit smoking.. and I’m confused and sad.

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skunkwerxskunkwerx Frets: 6838
edited April 2021 in Off Topic
I’ve been saying I would for years. 
Randomly on Friday just gone I decided fuck it, lets see how long I can go without a fag. 

My tobacco ran out and I couldnt be arsed to drive to a shop. That was at 5:30pm. 

I’ve been using the odd spray from my Nicorette thing which I got from boots.

I smoked 15 a day for the past 12 years or so. 
So I did two sprays and my God I almost puked. Sat there for 20 minutes salivating so much and almost chucking up! 

1 spray is fine though weirdly.. 

But I’m just a bit confused about the whole thing. 

I feel nothing in the way of cravings.  I guess the nicorette spray has taken the edge off, but I’ve sprayed maybe 6 times a day since cutting fags altogether.. I mean I’ll have to come off the nicotine spray too, but maybe I can do that next week, I dunno. 

I’ve just felt really sad and I don’t know why. 
Like I miss it, like a part of my identity has gone. 

I should be happy that I’ve managed almost 3 days without a single smoke, even watched films where the actors have smoked and whilst I wanted to have one when seeing it, I knew I couldnt because I have quit and therefore was not allowed. So it wasnt an issue as such. 

I feel like it was too easy so far. I have had to use hardly any willpower whatsoever. 

As weird as this sounds, it feels the same way as a relationship having ended. 

Or maybe I’m just experiencing the same emotions, loneliness, irritable, bored, miserable. 
I keep not knowing what the fuck people who don’t smoke do all day?!

I take Paxil for anxiety/depression, but tbh I just feel a little empty and sad, I guess thats me being  ‘depressed’, but nothing concerning me or worrying. Least not at this stage. 

I feel the same way as when I had to shave my head after going bald on top. Was proper miserable for a week then got over it. 

I mean fuck, why on earth has it even made me feel sad?! Lol its crazy. I’ll probably live longer, have more money and not smell.

Maybe I need some sweets and some coke to perk me up! 

Those could all be nicotine withdrawal symptoms, n my chemical levels sorting themselves out, but where are the ‘cravings?’ It seems I have zero of those. 

I also didnt realise how many mundane little gaps or down time in the day I filled by going outside for a fag and browsing the forum or researching something, and giving my mind and body a chance to rest and reset for 10 minutes. 

If a meeting is running late, go for a fag. 
Whilst dinner is cooling down, smoke. After dinner, smoke. 

A break from cleaning, smoke. 
A break from work, smoke. 

I legit dont know what to do at certain times lol. 
I guess smoking was my break time throughout the day. So not having that, means I havent stepped outside, no reason to, and have to actually stand there whilst the kettle boils or iron warms up and wait for it.. just playing with my dick or something. 

I mean I do miss it overall and, to be brutally honest, didnt really want to give up (but my sense told me I should at least try).. 

I just feel like it was too easy. 

I’m back to work (at home) next week, but then I have another 5 days off, and the F1 starts, so I’m looking forward to that in case working makes things hard.. 

I also have a bunch of nicotine gum coming to keep me ‘doing’ something whilst sat at the desk.. 

I dunno. Its been a bizarre weekend. 



The only easy day, was yesterday...
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Comments

  • BrioBrio Frets: 1789
    If only there was a positive side to all this.
    oh wait....
    Congratulations you’ve ended an abusive relationship. As you move on you’ll realise what you’ve gained. Hope it all works out well for you.
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  • jonnyburgojonnyburgo Frets: 12253
    Smoking is a crutch, a constant, its always there for you, at the end of a shitty day, its a relief and the rolling is a ritual, it accompanies a brew or a whisky perfectly, its an excuse to nip out of work for 5 and have a chat and a moan and a laugh at the cig bin, its an excuse to chat to other smokers of the same or opposite sex, and it feels really really good, most of the time. And it still looks cool, it embodies the spirit of Rock n Roll

    Unfortunately, years down the line you will turn yellow and puke pieces of lung and black blood and walk around with an oxygen bottle and that time comes on you without realising, the old "next year I'll stop" or "Ive just got to get in to the mindset" and suddenly its too late, you are fucked, Ive seen it with my mum, Its fucking barbaric man. 

    Best thing I ever did was give up 23 years ago, I shudder to think what shape I'd be in now if I carried on. Stick with it mate, it's a grieving process, addiction is a complex thing. Best of Luck!
    "OUR TOSSPOT"
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  • FelineGuitarsFelineGuitars Frets: 11495
    tFB Trader
    If you are smoking best part of a pack a day that will be like £8 per day you are saving 
    Of that £8 a day ....80% of that is tax
    Feel good that you are not paying an unnecessary £2500 in tax every year

    The cost of that smoking is approaching £3000 a year 
    That gets you a cool guitar or amp(or both)
    Or a holiday
    Or can go towards a car or motorbike

    I do know what you mean about how going for a fag punctuates your day 
    It may be that what was beneficial was taking 5 mins away from your desk to go and take some deep breaths (albeit full of smoke). 
    Still take those breaks but just do the breathing without the cigarette.
    It may be that it worked as a stress relief because you gave yourself a change of state.

    Years ago I worked in a call centre where they allowed the smokers to go and take an extra break while the non smokers had to stay and work as it was a no smoking office. I got myself a fake cigarette (was a piece of plastic tube ) and joined the smokers & went out for the break and spent 10 mins not being on the phone and just breathing. Had no interest in smoking but saw that the act of stepping away from the pressure was beneficial.

    Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
    Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.

    Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.

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  • Emp_FabEmp_Fab Frets: 24208
    edited March 2021
    Cigarettes are NOT your 'friend'.  They pretend to be, but in reality they are constantly trying to kill you.  You can do without friends like that.

    Also, before I walked away from them, I was always worried that I would miss them every day, because they were part of me, part of my identity.  I didn't.  I still don't.  I am completely unaware of the absence of them in my life now.  The only time I think about them is when I see someone smoking (though I usually smell them first) and I'm aghast at the stupidity of what they're doing.
    Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
    Also chips are "Plant-based" no matter how you cook them.
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  • p90foolp90fool Frets: 31367
    You will soon find the opposite, and wonder how you ever had time to stop what you're doing and have a cigarette. 

    Yes, I miss those times while pondering a motorcycle electrical fault when I'd take a step back and contemplate while rolling and smoking a fag, but for the overwhelming majority of times it was just a case of interrupting what I was doing to serve a chronic addiction. 
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  • vizviz Frets: 10643
    Keep it up! Sever those ties with the killer! Next target: 1 week! You’re amazing! It’ll be the new normal soon, have no fear.
    Roland said: Scales are primarily a tool for categorising knowledge, not a rule for what can or cannot be played.
    Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
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  • TeetonetalTeetonetal Frets: 7801
    I haven't smoked for 12 years. There are still times when I miss it, waiting for a train for example, but that feeling has got more and more infrequent.

    I also found it a little sad. I enjoyed smoking, it gave nice little moments of calm in my day and I guess if you stop doing anything you enjoy it has an emotional impact.

    But really, for every sensible reason, best off without.

    Stick with it!
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  • skunkwerxskunkwerx Frets: 6838
    Cheers all! 

    All great points, N I’m feeling better already :) 
    Hopefully today doesnt kill me lol!
    The only easy day, was yesterday...
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  • DavidReesDavidRees Frets: 334
    I quit for good last year when the nasty respiratory disease started doing the rounds after having cut down in 2013 to only smoking when I was drunk and getting drunker watching old YouTube videos into the early hours. I kinda liked the way it would fuck you up and blunt your feelings, and in some ways having having your lungs coated with tar [and consequently your breathing restricted] felt comforting. but these are different times and I relish the opportunity to continue breathing comfortably for as long as I may wish. Well done and good luck on your journey :) ...
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  • vizviz Frets: 10643
    edited March 2021
    Do not have one today. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT HAVE ONE TODAY. Not at all, all the way through midnight. Refuse those little fuckers.

    Day 3 is the hardest day. Day 4 is easier, even easier than day 2. 

    Once you’re on day 4 you’re actually on the home stretch, in my experience. And you can set your sights on Friday. Be strong today, let us know how you’re getting on throughout the day. There’s probably hundreds of non-smokers on here who are rooting for you. 

    I’m favouriting this thread and crossing fingers for you all day - keep us up to date with how it’s going! 

    Roland said: Scales are primarily a tool for categorising knowledge, not a rule for what can or cannot be played.
    Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
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  • boogiemanboogieman Frets: 12314
    I gave up 10 years ago. It does feel weird not having a cigarette in your hand at first. Like others have said that’s more about the ritual as much as the nicotine hit. Going for a fag is time out from a situation, a chance to chill or have a think, maybe a few minutes to chat with a mate. 

    I still miss it sometimes, I don’t think that ever leaves you if you’ve been a long term smoker. I still like the smell of a cigarette when somebody first lights up. I don’t miss the way it makes your clothes stink though (and you’ll realise what everyone complains about after a while). I bought a pack of cigs when my dad died, really felt the need to smoke at that point even though I’d stopped a few months previously. It tasted disgusting and I’ve never felt the need to do it again. 

    Try to stick with it. Think of your potential health improvement. Think of the money you’ll save. Good luck.  ;)
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  • GrunfeldGrunfeld Frets: 4027
    edited March 2021
    skunkwerx said:

    But I’m just a bit confused about the whole thing.
    Of course, that's a completely valid response!  Because you had been doing something for a long time and now you're not doing it any more.  It can feel a little odd and confusing but you will soon get used to it.

    All the wisdom on here has already been spoken and I can't add to it. 
    For me, smoking is long in the past and I'm so f*cking done with it -- I don't even recognise the version of me who needed to smoke; we are like two different people.

    FWIW I help people quit smoking using hypnosis although to be honest the hypnosis just bats you over the head with what you already know: there is nothing worthwhile about smoking

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  • BahHumbugBahHumbug Frets: 349
    Very best wishes for you.  I really hope you stick with it and ditch the deadly, expensive addiction.  I can’t comment on what withdrawal might feel like - I’ve never smoked a thing in my whole life.  My parents smoked when we were kids and I hated the thick acrid atmosphere in our living room so much that it put me off the idea of even touching fags.

    Fingers crossed for you.
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  • bobblehatbobblehat Frets: 531
    Wishing all the best with this. In my experience stopping smoking is a very individual thing so its hard to give advice about what works and what doesn't. The only piece of advice that I think applies to all would be to try and stop the Nicotine replacements as soon as possible. You'll find the habits and psychological attachments easier to deal with once the Nicotine addiction had gone. 
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  • Emp_FabEmp_Fab Frets: 24208
    The biggest thing for me once my sense of smell returned was the horrifying realisation of just how fucking awful smokers stink.  You probably aren't there yet but after a couple of months you'll suddenly find yourself standing near someone who's a smoker and you'll realise that for all of these years, you've stunk like that - but worst still is the realisation that people haven't said anything to you - they've just suffered in silence.

    Imagine a friend with a really bad b.o. problem, the kind that makes you gag when you get near them.  ...and they have no idea.

    Smokers just aren't aware of it.  They splash on aftershave or perfume and think they smell nice....  They pop in a mint and think their breath is nice and fresh.  No.  They stink like an ashtray sprayed with aftershave with a mint dropped in it.

    I never want to smell like that again.
    Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.
    Also chips are "Plant-based" no matter how you cook them.
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  • vizviz Frets: 10643
    bobblehat said:
    Wishing all the best with this. In my experience stopping smoking is a very individual thing so its hard to give advice about what works and what doesn't. 
    That’s actually a v good point. It’s so easy to give advice from one’s own perspective. 

    Anyway, still crossing fingers! (Which makes it very hard to hold a fag)
    Roland said: Scales are primarily a tool for categorising knowledge, not a rule for what can or cannot be played.
    Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
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  • McSwaggertyMcSwaggerty Frets: 657
    I smoked a packet of tobacco every day for around 30 years, and loved it.
    And for many years when l was a bit younger l was a very keen spliff smoker too, and loved that as well.
    I had packets of Rizlas, lying about everywhere, in jacket pockets, in my van, kitchen drawers, at work, in my guitar case.... l had large collection of lighters, zippos, clippers, all shapes and sizes.... and countless baccy tins, collected over the years.

    When l ran out of baccy, l used to rip up butt's from the ashtray and re-roll them.

    I got up in the morning, first thing l did - roll a fag
    Shower, coffee - roll a fag
    Then roll another fag. 
    Get into my van to travel to job, put seat belt on - roll a fag
    Arrive at job - roll a fag
    Check job, get tools ready, - roll a fag
    Many fag breaks throughout the day until time to drive home.... - roll a fag first of course. 
    After dinner, throughout the evening and before bed.... 
    Out at gigs or in the pub, or socialising it was almost non stop.... 
    Sometimes would even be rolling one, when l still had one burning in the ashtray... 

    To say l was an enthusiastic smoker would be an understatement. 

    Then out of the blue, one Tuesday morning l woke up and thought....Nope not today. 
    I made it through the whole day a lot more easily than l thought l would, it was harder after about a week, and at weekends in the pub like you,  l felt quite sad and that there was something missing and life was kinda pointless... but l  stuck with it  
    That's 4 years passed now, and l have not had a solitary puff, legal or illegal, and even though l can have an urge to smoke every now and again ( like right now while writing this.!). these urges pass very quickly. 
    I'm not loaded, but it was never about the money for me.... It was all about my health and l honestly can say l have never felt better.

     I know it's not easy,  people who have never smoked don't realise how tough it is to stop, 
    Assist yourself with all things available, vapes, sprays, patches, gums.... And if you are determined you will crack it. 
    You won't regret it.....so well done for having the guts to start stopping... Keep at it,
    .And good luck. 



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  • DefaultMDefaultM Frets: 7271
    I've never smoked but ive been addicted to lots of things.
    If I would usually have 5 of something I will have 4 for a week, then 3 and so on. Then at the end of it you don't suddenly think where has it gone?
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  • vizviz Frets: 10643


    I got up in the morning, first thing l did - roll a fag
    Shower, coffee - roll a fag
    Then roll another fag. 
    Get into my van to travel to job, put seat belt on - roll a fag
    Arrive at job - roll a fag
    Check job, get tools ready, - roll a fag





    Find and replace all “roll a fag” with “check tFB” and that’s me
    Roland said: Scales are primarily a tool for categorising knowledge, not a rule for what can or cannot be played.
    Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
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  • SnagsSnags Frets: 5326
    The physical cravings only last about 2 days anyway - the chemical addicition in fags is tiny. The psychological addiction, that's the bastard.

    So you're doing fantastically well!

    As others have said, you're saving a shed load of money, and should end up better off physically as well as financially. You might need something to replace the habits and rituals - go for a walk, sit in the sun and just do breathing exercises, get some worry beads if you need to make rolling actions with your fingers or whatever. It's missing the ritual and that brief moment of stepping outside of life that I still get hit by sometimes, 20+ years on from when I smoked regularly. Find other ways to get that, and it's no biggie, and you're a better person for it (not morally necessarily, but in every other way :) ).
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