When Does Being a Non Smoker Become Normal? | The Four Stages of Quitting Smoking

Today I answer a question about when not smoking becomes 'normal' for those of us who have quit smoking and talk about how we transition into being non-smokers. NOTE
Sorry about not looking at the camera - I got way distracted by the fact that this new camera has a viewfinder and my other one doesn't and forgot to look into the camera!
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2 Years Since Quitting Smoking...And Just Getting Started
Love, Addiction, and Self-Esteem
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[@jordanxfile]

It has been over 2 months since I quit smoking. The before-quitting part was harder for me, because I did months of mental prep work and left Chris some pessimistic comments :D I should add that my husband and pretty much all of my friends are smokers. On two occasions I felt like smoking. Not that I really wanted to smoke the cigarette itself; it was more due to an association. After seeing off my brother-in-law's family at the airport after midnight, while we were driving back home, I felt the "need". I thought about it and figured it was more about having dealt with family stuff it was time to reward myself with a smoke. The other time, I don't really remember, but I'm sure it had something to do with the car :) I smoked for nearly 20 years, so it is normal to think about it or to feel a nudge towards it. We smoke after finishing a task, we smoke before starting a task, we smoke when sad, we smoke when happy; the list goes on. I simply know I've made the right decision when quitting and am aware that turning back would make me feel worse, because all that pre-quit work would go to waste. I also try to picture the epithelial cells in my lungs trying to heal themselves as little workers and me smoking would be like hitting them with a sledgehammer. Picturing this makes me sad, so it helps :) A similar analogy was made by my pathology professor back in university. There's more I could write about this, but I can't seem to get it together today. Just hang in there guys; the solution is in your mind. Thank you Chris for this video; happy travels :)

[@jolenebear7173]

I know you don't smoke anymore so I really appreciate your still making these videos. I am at 3 months of not smoking BUT I'm ready to start back! This last week I'm really struggling. I thought I'd be better by now. Thanks for the video. Enjoy being in the States.

[@PELTOES1969]

I quit 28th January 2018 after 30 years of smoking. I used a vape for a while which helped a lot. I coughed every time I laid down to sleep and as soon as I stopped smoking, that day I stopped coughing. What helped me give up to was counting how many cigs I would of smoked if I hadn’t given up. I smoked on average 15 a day. I worked out after a week I had saved my lungs 95 cigs. I kept counting every day and telling other people around me how many I would have smoked and it helped me quit. When reached a year, I would have smoked 5475 times. So glad I didn’t give up giving up. All the best guys in giving up, it’s becoming less sociable now as well.

[@georgesrur1575]

82 hours tobacco free. Grrrrrr. Thanks. 🙏🏻

[@georgesrur1575]

Tobacco free since 062420 10:15a CDT...🙃

[@PassingSquall]

I'm trying to quit cigarettes but the up and down mood is driving me beyond crazy.

[@rollingstone1689]

I felt the same when you get pissed of just start running. Every time you feal like you are going to lose your shit just get out of wherever you are and just run.

[@AndyTheESLGuy]

Hi Chris, just wanted to say a massive thank you to you for posting all these videos! I'm over 6 weeks now without a cigarette!! Feels weird just saying it! You've even inspired me to set up my own channel, I gave you a mention at the end of the video I posted today. Really appreciate what you do. Cheers!

[@ChrisSkoyles]

Hi Andy, just checked this out. Thank you very much and congratulations on making it so far on your journey!

[@dragonwake]

Coming up on 4 months quit. Your videos were a huge help. I didn't think it would ever happen. Smoked for over a decade. I really appreciate you and what you're doing.

[@ChrisSkoyles]

Congratulations on making it to four months, Daniel :) Here's to many more smoke-free days ahead!

[@rollingstone1689]

Smoking for 22 year never thought of quitting until my friend sead that I wouldn't be able to stop. I love challenge 16 days free cold Turkey. Starting jogging in next few days hopefully.👊

[@cozo2610]

How old are you

[@rollingstone1689]

@@cozo2610 39 now

[@WesleyLello]

Hey Chris!!! I couldnt be more grateful for your videos, its been only a month for me and everytime im struggling i watch one of your videos which are a great help!!!! Thank you for sharing your experience and been this strong human being!!! 💪🏻

[@Arttruthseeker]

I hope you’re well Chris 💚 Your videos are still helping people!! God bless you 💜

[@nikg8605]

Hi Chris, I’ve managed to stop smoking for the second time for a whole week, thanks for motivating me to breath in that good air. I also found your outside filming locations very motivational and your healthy lifestyle also. Thanks also for giving support on the addiction side of smoking as this is where I needed most most help. It feels great to not have all those discussing bad health problems from smoking. I still have a little bit of a cough sometimes from the times that I smoked but have mostly recovered from the smoking by stoping smoking. I will give this video a watch now 👍

[@ellentaylor-king5680]

So proud, you still quit?

[@FactaClaus]

I am 30 and I started smoking in 2018. I smoked around one pack a day with 20-25 sticks. I quit on 31st March. 25 days and I am clean. This the the longest I have been without smokes since I started smoking them in 2018. I like to think that, it is better to be a non-smoker who wants to smoke, than to be a smoker who wants to quit. I wish I never picked up cigarette. Its a filthy habit.

[@veronicasauschuck8482]

Hello Chris, hope you're enjoying yourself here in the states! Great video I so look forward to the day I can call myself a non-smoker that will be a marvelous day. Thank you again for all you do your videos are so informative and helpful.👍😁💜

[@halfanewfie2]

Hi Chris! Hope you are doing well :) I liked this video. Very informative

[@karimshami9097]

thx man ur channel is supportive and contains many answers. u helped me in more than one way. been off smoking for around 2 weeks now, although i smoked 3 cigarettes in 3days after breaking the fast in ramadan. other than that i feel great.

[@soothingsounds70]

Props to you my friend! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@Santosh220585]

Nice video chris

[@WhatYouSee]

Thank you, Chris. I will be posting my perceived progress number on the Finding Freedom group page soon. You will see that not from this HANDLE of course. I urge all viewers to join that Facebook group. It very close knit, quite like a get together with people who are bettering themselves. A lot of great support and experiences along with opportunities to ask for advice from the members, as well. You will find that it does not feel like a 24/7 therapy meeting inside an institutional building. You may just want to join and come in and brag about your progress. We all know that many of our friends and loved ones, although supportive, tire of that and run out of ways to respond. In the group, we can't get enough of it! It gives us motivation!

[@AnubianOddity]

20 days into my first serious quit attempt. I took wellbutrin for the first 7 days and stopped taking it because I didn't like how it made me feel. Instead I've been vaping with 0gs of niccotine whenever i get tempted, and once the cravings completely subside I want to ditch that too. You've been a huge inspiration

[@rosemarie8939]

Yes it's morning I'm sitting on my back porch drinking coffee and listening to your video. Instead of smoking. So you said listening to a British guy talking about not smoking. That's me..

[@witchcraftispolitical]

Haha same!

[@scottjepson193]

Hi Chris. It's been 8 months since I quit smoking. I knew on the second day it was over. I feel lucky. One thing I recently noticed. I'm not burning clothes anymore. June will be a year and I have some new goals then moving forward. Your videos are helpful.

[@ChrisSkoyles]

Congratulations on making it this far, Scott, that's a huge achievement :) Wishing you every success with your new goals :)

[@jbs7799]

Hi Chris, Day 5 smoke free here. The longest time I was smoke free was for 2 years many years ago. I relapsed when I went to Las Vegas Casino in a smoking area. Ever since my quitting efforts have been intermittent from months, weeks, and finally the last 2 days caused by many multiple deaths in my family and relatives. I finally quit again last Monday Nov. 15. Thank you for all your video lectures.

[@johnanderson7464]

Starting my 18th week of non-smoking and I still have cravings my nose and sinuses are still messed up but no Smoking I smoked for 45 years and I am still a baby going on week 18 no smoking

[@shamsulfauzi6251]

It has been 2 weeks since I quit smoking cold turkey. Once in a while, I do feel like getting back to the habit. However, a lot of improvement with my breathing. To motivate me further, I keep the money I have saved where I can see them when I feel like smoking. Fyi, in my country, the price of a pack of cigarretes is about USD4.50 each. Looking at the money motivates me to stay away from those ciggies.

[@RAYT721]

Day 7 here smoke free and stress free after 50 years of smoking, chain--smoking at some parts of my life. I went 3 days on the nicotine patch but when I forgot to put one on that fourth day, I realized that I didn't need one. This is not my first rodeo in trying to quit but it is the first with zero withdrawal symptoms. I can't say about tomorrow but for today I am feeling awesome and positive. Good luck to all venturing on the journey with me and thanks, Chris, for this video. I will be checking out the Finding Freedom Group.

[@sylviagerritsen7975]

Hi Chris, I broke my record the best I ever did was 23 days smoke free. It’s 25 days for me today and I know I’ve beaten smoking, I’ll never smoke again. Thanks for getting me over the last few days. It’s been tough, not only because 23 days was my record but 6 days ago my husband was rushed to hospital with a heart attack. He will be OK but I didn’t know that until about two days ago. Obviously because of his heart attack, he has also decided to quit so now we’re on this journey together, making it somewhat easier for both of us. We have smoked for @ 40 years each so no easy feat really, but we’re very determined that our smoking days are over.

[@debbygrupp6401]

You da best!!

[@josephguzman2011]

5.5 days without smoking and for the most part I feel great. Your videos help a great deal. Your recommendations on Books by Allen Carr has been a great help. Sometimes it does hit hard even with Nicolette 4mg but I keep busy to help pass the time. I have benched eat 5 times already. 1 day at a time.

[@WanderingWonderer808]

Welcome to USA Chris!

[@Dylan-yv6ko]

is it normal to have chronic chest pain after quitting (on one side)

[@joanofarc33]

A non smoker wouldn’t even bother watching this.

[@utkuven1]

have you start smoking ? :)

[@Juliemc446]

Hi Chris I've started smoking again after 6 days cold turkey any advice 😳

[@ChrisSkoyles]

Hi Julie, my best advice would be to take stock and ask whether there's anything you can learn from this. Was there anything that caused you to start again? How could you do things differently next time? What can you do to prepare for success? You might also find this video helpful - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaeziomGd5h8itU

[@198001ma]

Great Video Chris, as always! Thanks for sharing your experience. I love the song and picture in the end :)

[@ChrisSkoyles]

@@198001ma Thank you :)

[@AnitaAndreis]

Hi Julie!! After almost 6 months I started to smoke again today as well .... I'll write later why... (no excuse why.. but what I need to learn to make it happen next time...) I just want to remind you that even if you had a cigarette or two or more that doesn't necessarily means you need to continue to smoke. Just continue with your quit if it's possible!!! Please do that, because to make a decision to quit is far more difficult than to actually quit. That's exactly what scares me now. If I continue, how much time is going to pass before I make a decision to quit again?! Last time it took 3 years... :( Please, if it's possible, just continue with your quit. Don't be hard on yourself. It's like being on a diet and having a slice of pizza. If you don't continue with it tomorrow you're still on a diet, right? :) Best wishes!! p.s. Not that I'm fooling anyone that one slice of pizza is like taking one puff.. it's not.. one puff is enough to retrigger all the settings back.. but it is a mind game above all, so whatever trick might work to stay on a quit, it's worth of using it.... I also recommend Joel quit smoking channel. Joel + Chris and... it worked for me.. if only I haven't stopped watching them recently.... :(

[@poepflater]

Stop cheating yourself mate, you deserve better.

[@archanasethirehani8593]

Hi. Why do you keep taking these long breaths in between?

[@karcky]

Because he's craving cigarretes 🤣

[@archanasethirehani8593]

@@karcky 😃😂😃😂

[@TheZestySoul97]

@archana sethi rehani He’s taking in the fresh air brah

[@aDmaNN266]

where r u from?

[@ChrisSkoyles]

North of England :)

[@aDmaNN266]

@@ChrisSkoylesCool. I'm MidWest. I still don't have much energy after having a good sleep :(

[@c_farther5208]

I cut up a 2 mg nicotine gum in three pieces and use it when I need it mentally, I am sure the physical is gone at this point. I can't do it. I am sick of trying this or that. I am tired of gaining weight and dieting. I am tired of falling apart under stress; I did't when I smoked. So, I am going to chew a little piece of nicotine gum when I need it during the day. I've tried for 20 years, I think I just need the nicotine. I used NAC and tyrosine, kava, sugar free life style, sick of it. It's a compromise in life, just cut up some gum in three sections and use it all day.

[@amyjoyce2301]

Hi C, how is that going? I'm like you. With such a big habit (40 a day), having no nicotine makes me nauseated and that doesn't go away. Since it's been two months for you I thought you could give me some insight onto how the little boosts are helping you.

[@brendamarch4754]

@@amyjoyce2301 I am using nicorette gum around 3 or 4 pieces a day and it is really helping me. Tomorrow will be three weeks quit and eventually I will give up the gum. It is a personal journey so whatever works, go for it.

[@ThePhobosAnomally]

You're never a non smoker once you quit smoking. You are an ex-smoker. You have asymptomatic addiction which is dormant, and you can get fully addicted again with just a single puff, which is not the case for non smokers. They have to cough their way into an addiction.

[@franciscocastillo8812]

On day 3... pray for me team... pls

[@ellentaylor-king5680]

How you doing

[@franciscocastillo8812]

@@ellentaylor-king5680 i am doing good. Still cigarette free.. almost 1 yr.

[@franciscocastillo8812]

@sibylinvane still going strong. 1 hit the 1 yr mark in July. I don't even think about cigs. I even hate the smell of them. 🤢

[@thetank971]

This dude looks like a brother of Craig Ferguson

[@rg4530]

Smoke dope! It's much better for you!

[@cozo2610]

Coughing yet