Not enjoying being a non smoker.

[Imtoooldforallthis]

I know the answer to my question really but I just need someone to give me a proverbial kick up the but. Smoked for 30 years last 10 only 5/6 a day unless out drinking. Stopped last March. But here's the thing, for a start off nobody noticed, neither my husband or my children until I told them a month later. I feel no better, food tastes no different, I am no more less breathless and I still like the smell of a cigarette. I know I could easily start again. I don't think I will but when will I start to feel better, and hate the smell.

And enjoy being a non smoker.

This is Dot
Dot likes to smoke
Puff puff puff
Now Dot has a mouth like a cats derrière
Poor Dot
She’s only 24...

Here’s Dot...

I bet you smell nicer. Surely you must have more money too?

You could at least use a pic that doesn't make her look absolutely badass. 🙄

OP, I get it. I still miss it sometimes.

I don't blame you. Non smokers are judgemental arses and becoming one fills me with shame.

I gave up or rather, switched to NRT which I'm still using, 5 years on! and felt like you for the first few months. But now, honestly I love not having to smoke. And I truly LOVED smoking.

You will notice the smell on other people when we're all allowed back in shops - and it STINKS when it's on people's clothes, or in their homes. You'll start noticing too how long-term smokers have gurgley laughs, and often sound like there's liquid in their lungs globbing about when they speak or cough.

I didn't notice food tasted better, either. But I love how my hair smells nice all the time, and that I can wear the same jumper more than once, because it still smells fresh. I love being able to sit through a whole film at the cinema without starting to squirm for a fag. I love staying at other people's houses without having to creep around at dawn to unlock their back door to go out for a fag.

Everything's better. I think Lockdown just hides that, because actually it'd be pretty nice just to sit around smoking all day.

I'm smoking again now but I quit for four years and never grew to hate the smell of cigarettes and never stopped missing smoking. I don't like the lingering smell that's left on me, but I love the smell of a freshly lit cigarette. Desperate to quit for my health and because of the expense though. Maybe you should focus on the money side of things and start treating yourself every so often with what you save. Good on you for quitting op, it's something to be proud of.

It took me 6 months to feel good after stopping smoking

When I said I stopped in March I mean 2020

Just thought I'd resurrect this post to see if I can get any help. I'm still struggling, when will it end? I still want to smoke I don't hate the smell, I don't feel better. I've virtually stopped drinking so I don't get tempted. Will it get better, I'm 16 months in. I think if I felt better it would be different. Any help appreciated.

Hi OP, if it helps at all, it took about 3 years for me to truly get over it and stop craving a cigarette.

I do still get the odd craving but it's very, very rare now, whereas I used to feel like I missed it all the time. Keep going and don't cave, you're doing so well.

Op, I am exactly the same. I quit last June and I was really miserable being a non smoker.

I ended up sticking a patch on 3 months ago and I am absolutely fine now. I honestly think I’ll use a patch for the rest of my life.

The thing is, you were constantly getting a dopamine rush every time you had a cigarette so when you stop you can become depressed without it. The trick is to replace it with exercise or something but I really couldn’t get into it.

Anyway, I’m not encouraging you to put a patch on but just wanted to let you know that I too feel the same.

I suggest reading Allen Carr easy way to quit. It might help with the mindset.

Read Allen Carr twice, it may of helped I'm not sure. I occasionally use a vape if I go out, but 0% tobacco. Just wished I enjoyed not smoking,.

I've been smoke free since November 2014 and to be honest I still don't feel any better for it, sorry to say this op. I often think wow, did I smell like that after someone has just had one Or I often think how did I afford it and to be honest is the only thing that stops me starting again.

Smoke free here since the New Year.

What i miss the most is the five minutes on my own to process my own thoughts away from anyone else. It helped me get my shit together. That time was invaluable.

I've been smoke free since new year as well and I hate it.
I don't miss the cough or the smell but I do miss the ritual of nipping out for one and looking forward to one,
@MorningNinja so true, what to find to replace that,, I can't think of anything satisfying

It's been over a decade for me. In my head I would enjoy a cigarette. I can stand next to a smoker and happily inhale although it's been 18 months since I did. Actually no, I love the idea but I know it's a bad idea and I don't want to be doing that. I choose not to.

I know what you mean, OP. I'd like to quit because it's so expensive, but I enjoy smoking and I thoroughly identify as a smoker.

I'm the sort of person who tends to embrace unpopular things. If I'd been born 30 years earlier and reached maturity when smoking was really popular, I'd probably never have taken it up.

It's so handy as a way of covering awkward feelings - like cats always have a wash after they've made a fool of themselves - and such a gesture of freedom, to come out of work or off a long journey, and have a cigarette.

It's just so bloody expensive .

Hang in there I'm just over two years now smoke free. All my friends smoke and we had a BBQ today and as always the smell made me feel sick I had to move away. I feel so much better and I can't believe how I ever thought the smell was okay
It's hard and it took me over a year to not continuously want a fag. You can do it

Never mind whether you enjoy being a non smoker. The main benefit is to your health, short term and long term. Smokers have lung problems short term, usually a cough.
Long term, they can have COPD (emphysema), damage to heart and other organs because of the tar, and lung cancer or cancer to other organs - tongue, throat, stomach. My dm smoked all her life and died from bladder cancer. Stop whinging about not enjoying it. You won't enjoy cancer either.

I'm finding this thread very helpful! I quit recently, having smoked around 40 a day for years and I'm now on Day 18 of no cigarettes but I am vaping. I downloaded the nhs app and it keeps telling me that I should be feeling full of energy, noticing fresher breath, etc etc. But I am not really noticing any amazing transformation and it's been making me feel a bit flat. Good to know that it takes a while to stop missing the fags (though vaping is really helping with that, much to my surprise) and that not everyone feels super duper as soon as they quit.