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At first craves made me angry and frustrated that I hadn’t waited another week/ month to quit. Angry that the rest of the world still got to smoke, then after a few weeks the knowing that even if I did take a puff now, it wouldn’t taste the same, wouldn’t give me the same satisfaction. I mourned those carefree smoke days. So glad I stuck it out and stayed positive. Life is now calm and settled.

It was constant niggle....a tap on my shoulder ..hey bet you would love a smoke ...that Nico Monster ... I remember telling it to naff off....I'm a non smoker .... I've took smoking off the table ..

I remember inhaling and feeling that first endorphin hit, a feeling of happy, satisfying relief ! (sounds like an old cigarette ad, lol) Now, I get that bump with oxygen. Oxygen and a short break to notice something of beauty. Deep breaths are handy. I certainly remember the headfuck and still, snippets of its oppression pop up every blue moon. Nicotine addiction appropriated a lot of real estate in the brain, happily reclaimable. It's a service, really, to remind me of NOPE.

I didn't understand this concept of "a craving" in the early days of my quit (almost the entire 1st month) because if I was awake, I was almost overwhelmed with the desire to smoke. It had no beginning and no end. I just didn't think about it as often when I kept myself busy. occupied and distracted. It wasn't until later that I would occasionally get a sudden urge to have a smoke. I mostly couldn't tie those to "triggers" either. It would just come out of nowhere when I was almost anything - sometimes nothing at all. I was never really tempted to smoke due to stress or life situations. I suppose I was able to keep my life and my quit separate like that. What was in my brain in terms of what I thought a cigarette would do for me? Not really sure. I guess that Ahhhhh feeling of pleasure from taking those first couple of drags. Sure am glad I never gave it up though.

G’day Not One Puff Ever

I've noticed a very insidious trick that the NM uses. Prior to quitting, the environment seemed full of quit advice such as literature at pharmacies, doctors surgeries etc. Now that I've quit, the NM seems to have sneaked around and removed a lot of it. Honestly, the day after I quit, my chemist's little health advice table was lacking in the usual stop smoking advice leaflets. Similarly with my doctor's surgery. To rub it in the NM has got into my sister's mind. Being an ex nurse she was always banging on about why I should quit but just before I did, I mentioned maybe giving up and she said, "Well, they're your lungs, it's nothing to do with me." I couldn't believe it. The moral of the tale folks is that the demon will never go away, it just adapts and morphs into an even more devilish entity. I just say, "Get thee behind me Nico Monster, I'm a NOPE guy."

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet your Kitties are happy you quit too!

As a smoker, it was the obsessive thought that I needed a cigarette at that moment. As a nonsmoker, it is an obsessive thought that I think I want a cigarette. That is all it is - a thought. It is a thought that does not have to be acted on. It is a thought that no longer controls me.

For me it was wanting that first deep inhale of the cigarette, it was a strong desire. Certain activities that I had tied to smoking would set that crave off. I used Jillar's Air Cigarette to combat that crave (that and a cold juice) and that really worked!!!

NOPE!

NOPE!!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Positively NOPE !!!!!!

nope

NOPE

We all know what it feels like but how would you describe it? For me the biggest factor of a craving is the desire to feel a 'hit' at the back of the throat. That's why I use very strong liquorice tablets and mints and they help. How about you?

NOPE...

Yep no stinky fingers...

A craving for me was the constant thought of having just one to make me feel better. Like martian my Jillar air cigarette worked every time to trick my mind and help me past the craving. That and soft peppermint puffs. Bought them by the bucket that whole first year and oddly enough haven't craved them since lol

NOPE!

Dedicating my NOPE today to @richard in memory of his dear wife who passed from COPD. Do your lungs a favour folks quit and stay quit!

Thanks all for your kind wishes...by today 4321 !!! which means 4 yrs 3 months 21 days smoke free

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Nope!

NOPE!

The NM has NO power mighty - YOU do. That's why he needs you to act on his behalf. You are right though, he's a sneaky little bastard and will absolutely know when you are at your weakest point before he pounces. Give him the finger What's really going on is your own brain (which is used to junkie thinking) battling against you because you have stopped supplying what is craves - nicotine. Don't worry though because the more distance you put between you and smoking, the NM will slowly die. It just takes time. It WILL happen though

Here's an indication of how often this happens Chicks!

@G67....poor stick ....he tried ...but got a good slapping from the Smutt Sisters ..

NOPE - I do not smoke anymore!

NOPE!

NOPE...

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOPE!!

G’day NOPE NOPE NOPE

The physical dependency of addiction played a role in my cravings. There was also the impulse of instant gratification. However, a big part of my early cravings was little more than a desire for a return to normalcy. Normalcy at the time meant just going back to smoking when I was used to smoking. I was out of my comfort zone for a while and frankly didn't know what to do with myself at times without a cigarette. I was having to act very deliberately not to light one up. It was tempting at times to just go on autopilot and smoke like I had for the previous quarter-century. Funny really...In March 2016, smoking felt so normal I couldn't imagine life without it. Now, September 2019, and smoking a cigarette would feel as weird to me as lighting my hair on fire. Never again.

Oh yes the nicomonster will try any and every trick in the book to win you back, especially during this first hard month. When I was having a bad day I knew to either stay close to home or ask my husband to go with me because I didn't trust myself not to give in. Heck I even drank a few extra beers once just so I wouldn't be able to drive to the store lol. Just keep telling yourself that this too shall pass and when it does its one more trigger you've defeated making the next time much easier. You're doing great and love your ticker

Take control of your thoughts as quickly as possible. Breathe Deep. Look at something of beauty. Reward yourself for every reclaimed receptor !

Poor @G67 once mighty valiant and possibly cocky. Never underestimate The Smut Sisters.

I had snipes stashed everywhere and was too parsimonious to waste dog ends if they were big enough to light again. I would snip off the burnt end and blow to get the old smoke out...this kept them 'fresher tasting' ? gah. Mostly everything was smoked down to the nub. My poor delicate lungs...what a daily catastrophe for them, for me. I am astoundingly proud of myself for putting down this addiction. I am incredibly proud of all of you, also.

Thanks

NOPE

Yes the NM lurks behind many corners ready to latch on -- but the more you NOPE and not submit to the NM the less power it has and the more it disappears. Be strong as you are and be ever vigilant -- you can do this!!!

That is the attitude Mightyboosh. You just keep Noping and showing that Nico Monster who is in control. He may never go away but will eventually become a distant memory. Just keep looking forward to a life of freedom!

isn't especially sane

Well done Juan ...you can do another day ...!!!! Make the Sarge Proud !!!!.....

You have a great quit going on, mighty one ! I am so glad you are reaping the rewards so quickly...many more to follow. Great to see your NOPE. I am so happy you quit and are sharing your quit with us.

Good job Juan, keep it up