Quit Smoking

Why is it that whenever I try to quit smoking my life seems to cave in?

Seriously though, I’m in a major transition period: trying to find a job after graduating (sort of; see last entry) from college, unemployed, discovering that I need more skillz for web development/design, facing a move to Oregon next year, and the little petty things: My ob/gyn doesn’t take my insurance anymore, trying to get my credit score up, allergies.

My big challenge is going to be when my roommate returns home tonight from a three-week vacation. We like to smoke djarums in the backyard, and I know she hasn’t stopped yet. I’m really worried, although she’s leaving for good in another ten days. Oy.Vey.

How do you guys deal with life’s little challenges?

Had some issues over the weekend. I find myself very frustrated lately. I need one course for my BA – I’ve already walked and everything, and the University is jerking me around. I think I got this halfway resolved yesterday. As a result, I’ve been really stressed, but if I’m not going to quit now, than when? So I stopped AGAIN yesterday. I actually find that if I only have a few pieces of Nicorette, I’m good. If I have more, I start freaking out, and my anxiety level raises, ergo, I want to smoke. I’m also cutting down on my caffeine.

What are you guys doing to relax?

So I didn’t smoke yesterday, but I had a tantrum last night. I don’t think I chewed enough nicorette. I took a bath with some lavender stuff, that seemed to do the trick.

It’s a tough week to quit: I’m taking an exam on Saturday for course credit in 3rd semester Russian. I’m really nervous about this exam, although I have not rational reason to worry. I really want to smoke this week: I keep thinking to myself, “what harm would it do if I smoked until after the exam was over?” I know that it will make me even more nervous, and my husband is really fed up with my addict behavior, putting it off until “the time is right,” something I’ve been doing for years now. I’m hoping being a part of this site will help, it’s one thing I haven’t tried, seeking out a community.

I took a walk last night too. yay exercise.

So here we go, another day. I hope I can make it though this one too. I really want to be done with this habit.

So I screwed up yesterday and had a couple of cloves. We had a big party and a friend of mine brought some. I realized that I was going to call her and ask her not to bring them, and then I remembered that I forgot, and then I realized – I probably didn’t “forget.” You know how it is.

Anyway, I’m going to eat a good breakfast, get some exercise and hope for the best. I also bought an anti-stress face mask, so if I get crazed I’ll just run a bath and relax with that.

Does anyone have any other suggestions for me?

I started the day off right this morning, I ate breakfast first thing with my coffee.

We’re having a bunch of friends over today for Memorial Day, I don’t think anyone is going to be smoking, which will be good. If they are, I’ll just hide in the house and find something constructive to do.

I’m really scared about doing this. I’ve tried so many times, I really want this attempt to work.

I started smoking over the summer of 2001, when I turned 21. Since then, I’ve been trying to stop.

I’ve been using Nicorette with limited success. I have also tried meditation, yoga, acupuncture, wellbutron (not recommended!) and the patch.

I’m pretty much at my wits end.