Congratulations! You've definitely earned it!

Thanks!!

So today is my step down date for patches...I have one left but the pharmacy doesn't open early on Saturdays and I thought I'd try patchless today, and have my last one for back up. A little scared but optimistic. How's Brooklyn?

It is raining and less hot today, which is fantastic. Still no uptick in Covid cases for NY, which makes us hopeful we have developed herd immunity. We'll have to wait and see.  Yesterday evening I had the mother of craving. The worst so far. I got a work email that was a tiny bit stressful, nothing major but oh my god my brain was playing tricks. I almost went to buy a pack just so I can "smoke three" and then give the rest away or flush it down the toilette. I was seriously going to spend $20 on three cigarettes. I waited. I was trying to think how it won't help me one bit with the stress, but make it worse. I was thinking about how afterwards I will have to brush my teeth and scrub my fingers to get rid of the nasty smell. Nothing worked, until...after 20 min it passed. Then those thoughts about the negative parts of smoking started to make more sense and I was pleased I did not break. Waiting and reinforcing the negatives is the key, I think. Don't be scared of losing the patches, fear will sabotage you. Just wait it out if it happens, and try to think about all the negative aspects, down to. the nasty taste in. your mouth that would still be there the morning after. and your hair. and. clothes. We can all agree on that, It's gross. Enjoy your trip breath the fresh air and have fun. Create smokeless memories, that is SO important, to make new connections in your brain between having enjoyable experiences without cigarettes.

I'm glad the weather has been better for you, 80s today here, so not so bad. I have made it about 5 hours without a patch and I'm not seeing a huge difference. There's a difference, but it's pretty small, however I did have a lozenge, so I'm sure that plays into it. I think it's funny that they always say that a craving only lasts about 5 minutes because mine are longer than that and it sounds like yours are too. I try to think of all the negatives to motivate me and the taste is definitely high on the list. I'm going camping on the 14th, next Friday, so I have to persevere until then. I know I can do this, it's just weird how my cravings are so much worse than the first couple of weeks. 

The incognizant brain activity is so much more influential on our behavior,  as it turns out, than our cognitive thoughts do. We have to   aware of this fact..It will flare up, but the longer time we put between us and nicotine, it will subside. At least that is what I'm told :)

So I'm on day 2 of no patches. Things are pretty good- I slept in and had a nice long morning walk. I agree with you on that the longer time I put between myself and nicotine eventually the cravings will subside. I think there was a shift in my brain when I realized I'm an addict. Not someone with a bad habit, but an addict. That helped me be a little more gentle on myself and go about things with a different mindset. I bought some sugar free candy and it's definitely not as good as the sugar. Also, the package warns that it may have a laxative effect. Great. Thanks Lifesavers. I'll be in withdrawals and in the bathroom.

HAHAHA

That. fake sugar is awful. Not good for you either. Did you get the nuts?

I got them yesterday! So good. We got nuts, half popped corn and a couple samplers. My husband loves nuts! I owe you big time 

Happy to share!  I get smoothie stuff like crispy chick peas and coconut. powder, i blitz them in the blender with fruit and oat milk, so. good.

I just came back from visiting my good friend, who is a light smoker but regular weed smoker.  She does it the European way mixed with tobacco. Normally I would take a drag, but. I said no, I cant because it has nicotine. She doesn't really smoke much straight cigarettes, maybe two a day, but the temptation was there, because she always has a pack, and normally I would bum a cigarette off her. I did not ask. Of course if I did she. would have. refused because she supports. me quitting, but still.  Another friend was there who is quitting  today by using the patches. She was smoke free for two years, then had one and went back to chain smoking. We talked a lot about quitting and nicotine, but the more we talked about quitting the more we both got the pangs. She went to get her patch but I just waited. I still wanted one when I got home but now I am ok. I feel like I passed my first test.