The Goblin Diaries (previously Quitting Smoking)

Lorcan

Lorcan

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I'm not 100% sold on really even mentioning this yet because there's a chance I'll get a week in, say "nope", and go right back to rolling cigarettes.

The recent weather and having to go outside hasn't helped, but it's not actually the issue. Two things I've been (repeatedly) reminded about the gender reassignment surgery is that I need to lose weight and quit smoking. Losing weight's enough of a pain because I'm not this fat just because I eat too much, lol. But smoking isn't a case of me saying I'm just gonna stop, and doing it. Been on that road, it's never worked before.

There's apparently been a change in how some e-liquids have been manufactured, with a newer process, that apparently makes it easier to transition from smoking, because that was at least 30% of my issue last time. So I've ordered the e-cig, ordered the liquids, and then...I see how I go? I'm doing this specifically with the surgery in mind. No date yet but if I want it at some point I need to put the work in. Here goes nothing.
 
Well done you, it will all be worth it when you get your surgery. Also, it's just generally better for your health. 😃
 
Well done Lorcan. If you want to do it enough you will. Look at me, I never thought I'd stick to the 6 week very strict mainly Greek Yoghurt diet and 3 very hard HiiT sessions a week for 6 weeks and I did. And I never thought I'd join another gym and do 3 classes and 1 session in the gym a week and that's exactly what I'm doing now. I'm the last person I thought this would happen to. Who knew I'd turn into a gym bunny?🤣. I believe in you. You can quit the old nicotine habit. I'm sure you will.
 
E-cigs have come a long way in 15-or-so years. First time I tried one I genuinely didn't like the taste, and those were the cartridge type devices? The liquids (and the tanks and mods with them) came along later. Now they've a variety of liquids depending on how you're vaping, along with different flavours and nicotine strengths. So then I had liquid that tasted decent but I couldn't get the inhale right which is a bit silly, that's how you get the nicotine in the first place!

Half my trouble this time round was trying to find a suitable one that wasn't black or pink :xd: I did buy myself more tobacco just in case but I want this, this time round. I want to be buying more liquid, not more tobacco, next time round.
 
piggieminder said:
As an ex smoker and knowing how hard it is I wish you luck with giving up. You have a very good reason for doing it, I think that helps.
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It's 20 years since I started, over half a lifetime. Sometimes I wish I could slap teenage me upside the head. Not that teenage me would've paid any mind, but still, lol.
 
I'm a failed heavy smoker, ( about 60 aday) 32 years now, my Dr was great with me, and gave me 3 course of acupuncture conceding of of 1 needle in my hand,and put like a small drawing pin on my ear ,that l gently rubbed when l had a craving, and some wonderful words of advice, that you're fail times are "at 2weeks, 2 months, and then be carefully at 2 years". The times l gave up at 2 weeks or 2 months was a lot, and yes once at 2 years. Get through those 1st 2 barriers and you're on a big win, go for Lorcan you can do it xx.
 
teddymouse said:
I'm a failed heavy smoker, ( about 60 aday) 32 years now, my Dr was great with me, and gave me 3 course of acupuncture conceding of of 1 needle in my hand,and put like a small drawing pin on my ear ,that l gently rubbed when l had a craving, and some wonderful words of advice, that you're fail times are "at 2weeks, 2 months, and then be carefully at 2 years". The times l gave up at 2 weeks or 2 months was a lot, and yes once at 2 years. Get through those 1st 2 barriers and you're on a big win, go for Lorcan you can do it xx.
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I'm on 15-25 a day, I think. I roll my own, it's harder to keep track on the numbers. It's been easier since the move, I was adamant (and still am) that there'd be no smoking indoors. The neighbours think I'm crazy but it's the only way. The minute I have one indoors, I'll never stop at just one.
 
Good lad @Lorcan I quit smoking in 2005 after smoking 20-30 a day for several years. There wasn’t e cigs back then so I did it cold turkey. I’m not going to lie, it was hard especially as you could still smoke in pubs back then and most of my friends smoked.

What I did was got a jar and put all the money I saved from smoking in that jar. I was astonished at how much money I saved and after a couple of years, I had enough money to buy a car!

Good luck, we’re all rooting for you x
 
Claire W said:
Good lad @Lorcan I quit smoking in 2005 after smoking 20-30 a day for several years. There wasn’t e cigs back then so I did it cold turkey. I’m not going to lie, it was hard especially as you could still smoke in pubs back then and most of my friends .
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Same here …I’m a born again non smoker.
I gave up pre e cig and went cold turkey.
It’s not easy ….but I’m so glad I managed to give up
 
Good luck!
I used to smoke 5 days for many years since been that “awful” teenager on and off until I was around 45. Most I didn’t even enjoy, like you standing in the cold outside 😆 I eventually kicked the habit, it gives you a “freedom” I can’t quite describe. You’ll feel more empowered and so much healthier
 
Bill & Ted said:
like you standing in the cold outside
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and yet the worst part is, if it was just the cold/rain/sleet/snow/hail etc bothering me, it wouldn't bother me enough to kick the habit lol. I enjoy my smokes too much. Plus when I was in DBT and they kept talking about those breathing exercises to calm panic attacks etc, I discovered I did them best - or, well, got them under control better - if I did them with a cigarette. It got a few eye rolls lol, but at the same time they said if it works, it works.

This is part of the reason I'm opting for the e-cig. The other part is because I roll my own, I need something to do with my hands. Just slapping a patch on doesn't cut it (also I'm allergic to the adhesive, so there's that haha).
 
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So I get why, but I'm still miffed it comes packaged in foam. I can't recycle foam :td: well, I suppose, here goes nothing.
 
I had three this morning (chain smoking, for my many sins) but none since about 11.45am. Managed to get the liquid over everything because I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing :xd: but so far, it's the only hiccup. Wiped most of the excess off (I'm sure there's some got into a crevice of the e-cig I couldn't see). I know, it's only 4 hours, but it's hard to explain. Last couple of times I tried (again, e-cigs) I'd get maybe a couple of hits and have to leave it for a few hours, so I'd be alternating the e-cig and the smokes. Not this time!

It's not fancy, it's got very few bells and whistles, but all I had to do was swap out the coil and go. Very Lorcan-proof, lol.

Anyone got any ideas on how to track this stuff? I could do it on a basic calendar but there's gotta be something out there that's less fiddly. Somewhere I can go "none today" "1 this morning", that kinda thing.

Edit: Also I smoked a pretty strong tobacco. That anything is stopping those cravings is a miracle as far as I'm concerned no matter how long it does or doesn't last.
 
My parents who smoked a lot for 50 years gave up. It was through the doctors and it was a tablet called chamix (or something similar). I’m still so proud they gave up. 😍
 
When I isolated over Xmas I made myself trackers for 2022, pretty ones like you see ppl do in journals on youtube! I did it to help build habits but in a positive way rather than making a schedule that I'd never stick to. It has helped.
 
Try colouring in boxes for each day.

So like on squared paper have the dates down the left then shade the squares in the row next to each day. So if you smoked 3 today you'd shade in 3 squares next to Fri 25/2. Maybe draw a smiley face or stick a sticker next to the date if you did none? Get a nice book and pen to do it in so it feels enjoyable.
 
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Bill & Ted said:
Good luck. My weakness was always coffee breaks after finishing several tasks!
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Typical to my millennial stereotype I love coffee so much its part of my personality. Ppl commonly buy me coffee as bday/xmas presents I love it so much. I drink it all day at work. Start every day with it. If I need a break, feel bad or need stress relief I have a coffee. Given coffee is bad for anxiety I'm not sure it's a good idea but I enjoy it.
 
I don't drink coffee (hot liquids and I don't get along) but I drink enough cola to make up for it :flag:my biggest thing will probably be people. Stuff like appointments are stressful, I have a smoke before I go in, another one when I escape (heh), maybe a third to help along the second one. Also phonecalls. I am apparently incapable of holding a conversation on the phone without smoking in the middle of it.
 
Wishing you luck! Breaking the habit/addiction can be hideously hard, I know - my mother in law was a life-long smoker (she could be quite obnoxious about it at times) but had to give up in her 70s when she was diagnosed with COPD and told she would be dead within months possibly if she didn't stop. She did it, somehow. I guess I admired her for it - I can't even give up biting my nails :roll:
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
Wishing you luck! Breaking the habit/addiction can be hideously hard, I know - my mother in law was a life-long smoker (she could be quite obnoxious about it at times) but had to give up in her 70s when she was diagnosed with COPD and told she would be dead within months possibly if she didn't stop. She did it, somehow. I guess I admired her for it - I can't even give up biting my nails :roll:
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when my grandad quit smoking, my mum (he was her dad) was convinced he hadn't actually stopped. Like he'd had bladder cancer, quit cold turkey. And she was convinced he was still sneaking out for a smoke when he thought nobody noticed - but also kept saying he must be a master at hiding the butts, because she'd never found them. He wasn't smoking. Not just the butts, but there was no smoke smell either. But she was adamant. :roll:
 
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