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NOPE!!

I'm very sorry for your loss @Genecanuck. You already know that smoking does not bring joy... and likewise cannot heal sorrows. Well done for protecting your quit during all of the ups and downs that you are facing. You've faced some big tests early in your quit, and your success so far is a good indicator that you're truly ready to be free. KTQ!

Sorry for your loss @Genecanuck. You've gone through some challenges this weekend for sure but your attitude toward keeping your quit above all else shows just how committed you are which is a great thing. All these trying experiences we go through successfully while quitting are the things that help strengthen our quit. Getting through those challenging times is an important part of all successful quits. Keep up the great work

NOPE…

G’day NOPE .....Not One Puff Ever.... (replace Ever with Min,Hour, Day as required.)

So very sorry for your loss @Genecanuck It most definitely is times like these that can break a quit, and you are doing fantastic not giving into that quit! You should be very proud of yourself! Onward to day 15 and before you know it, you will be quit a month. The time does pass by quickly, and the longer you go without smoking, the less of an urge you will have!

I too am sorry for your loss @Genecanuck, you've been given some pretty big triggers to get past so early and should be proud of yourself for keeping that awesome quit. You're doing great!

Good morning, I am starting my day smoke free with my quit in tact. I went to a wedding celebration and there were lots of smokers all around me. I went outside with hubby and he had his nasty smokes. And I chatted with him, but I did not smoke. I was the designated driver, so I did drink during the reception. But I did had a few drinks with hubby's sister when I got back to her place. When my head was buzzing a bit, yes, I did was craving a cigarette. But I just let that feeling flow. I heard that little voice in my head saying, you can have just one. But the bigger voice in my head said, ITS NEVER JUST ONE. The bigger voice in my head also reminded me that I did not want to wake up in the morning coughing out shit and having to start my quit all over again. Today, I am going to a celbration of life. This will be an emotionally charged day for me. My former parter of 25 years passed away in February. We are getting together to spread his ashes on a lake that he loved. So many memories. The grieving process continues. But smoking will not make any of that go away. I am not smoking today because In the midst of grief, I choose life. Just one more step along the road I go! Keep the quit.

Nope!

NOPE!

I’m so very sorry for your loss. You have been doing a wonderful job fighting through these triggers you’ve had to endure. Keep fighting.

NOPE

My sympathy G You are fighting for your Quit . This shows your strength and dedication . Well done a well earned Pat on the back

Another take on working through cravings when they pop up. Keep the quit. RE: Identifying triggers.... From MutinyFever on 2/12/2004 1:22:08 PM My take on triggers was written a long while ago. Triggers From MutinyFever on 5/12/2003 6:43:46 PM ~ 219 dayz Anything can be a trigger. An ashtray, snow, a pack of cigs, a good dinner, a movie, waiting for a bus, getting off the bus, a fight, a birth, a victory, a joy, sex, drinking, dancing, singing, asthma, winning a bet, losing a bet, work, stress, bedtime, waking up, a commercial, a baby crying, seeing an old friend, losing an old friend, breathing... The thing is no one can really control triggers. They happen. People say, stay out of the situation, but that is not the trick to quitting. That is just a way to make it easier. The trick to quitting is enduring cravings, one after another, one at a time, FOREVER. If that sounds hard, it should because it is. Thankfully cravings don`t keep coming forever, or they get spaced very far apart at least, eventually. But don`t count on that time. Don`t think about that time. Don`t wish that time were here. Experience what is now. There`s a good reason to. It is because if you experience the pain of this moment, you will realize that smoking caused this. If you really let yourself realize that, you will never want to do this to yourself again. There`s another good reason. It is that if you are really honest, you will realize this is not that bad. Chemo would be a good deal worse than this craving. Admit it. You can handle this. Commit to handling this craving each and every time it comes. Face it. The monster has blunt teeth. I am sorry you are craving. I totally sympathize, because I have been craving pretty hard myself from time to time. I can only say, this is the way our lives are now. I don`t avoid smokers. I don`t avoid triggers. Cigarettes and the triggers to smoke are just everywhere. I am simply committed to enduring all my cravings, one at a time, without ever smoking. I wish for everyone, the strength to endure. Long and long from now, you will realize you haven`t had a craving for as long as you can remember. Be happy now. Michael

What a thoughtful and insightful post @DenaliBlues You are reminding me that recovery is really a two part process. It reminds me of all my AA friends reminding me that you can stop drinking but still be a dry drunk until you work on all the underlying issues that caused the addiction in the first place. Recovery really is a process. I have to work on the recovery side of my smoking addiction. Yes, I also have caused a lot of harm to others while I smoked. I have to own that and make peace with that and make amends for that. Many thanks for your for your support and your wisdom.

Congratulations Mee!! How wonderful! You story is amazing and you still have your quit against all odds! A testament to the power of NOPE! I pray for many more smoke free days for you, friend!

Sazerac Quit Date: October 23, 2013, A Good Day to be Free. Posted October 22, 2019 In celebration of my Six Years of Freedom, I wrote this little piece, Sazerac's Simple Guide To Freedom Desire: You must want to quit more than you want to smoke Decision: Make the decision to live life without Nicotine. Commitment: Commit wholeheartedly to live without Nicotine and intend on standing by your resolve. Choice: Choose to never smoke again, EVER. This choice will empower you in many, many ways. “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Education * Thanks to Joel Spitzer, this site and lurking around the sphere, I am still learning everything I can about Nicotine Addiction. Information is Big Power and I feel sufficiently armed to maintain my quit. Changing Focus. It took some doing but, s l o w l y, when junkie thoughts would drag me down, I began to train myself to look at something beautiful or think of beauty in some way. This retrained my brain and also gave me a bump of endorphins. I use this technique during any moments of distress or discomfort. These are not nicotine related anymore, just moments of life. The concept of H.A.L.T. * (are you Hungry (thirsty), Angry (emotional), Lonesome (bored), Tired) Nine times out of ten, smokey thoughts weren't about nicotine at all, it was my body (poor thing) hollering at me to do something life sustaining for it. Now, the signals are very clear and not related to nicotine in any way. I also want to share the benefits of Breath. Deep, calming breaths of Oxygen. An elixir to sharpen and focus your mind away from the patterns of addiction. Rewards * Not only does rewarding yourself help re-wire your brain receptors, treating yourself well and being as kind to yourself makes life nice. A little spoiling goes a long way, especially during rugged transitions of any kind. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Quitting smoking has taught me much about myself and the human condition. The truth and honesty involved in making and keeping a commitment to myself has been profound. I know myself so much better. I have exchanged an empty bravado for an inner trust and knowledge. I am grateful to everybody here, your stories, your triumphs and your lapses, too. ALL have helped me understand the hideousness of nicotine addiction and the Power of Choice, the Preciousness of Freedom. I am so proud to be part of this community. Y'all are beautiful nicotine free creatures, my friends. S *Joel Spitzer's Quit Smoking Library * Riffing On H.A.L.T. * The Significance of Rewards p.s. To anyone beginning their journey, I would recommend this thread, 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum To Stop Using Nicotine Link to original post: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/13165-simple-guide-to-freedom/

Congratulations @Mee, I can't believe its six years quit already! That's fantastic I'm so glad you're back. We missed you

Good morning, On this day in 2004, I was feeling depressed and reached out to quitnet for some help. And Dan1 responded to remind me that what I was feeling was normal and thinking that having a cigarette would have anything to do with making me feel better was just more stinking thinking: a MISTAKE. As Dan1 said in this post, its all about discovering new ways of coping with emotions without smoking. Keep the quit! RE: Depression From danl1 on 10/25/2004 11:49:56 AM It's a tough time you are going through, but don't let it bug you too much. The feelings you are having are more about an exaggeration than about an 'unmasking.' It's a critical error that often gets made - thinking that soon after we quit is "how things are" without smoking. It's not - this temporary time is unique, and will pass. Unfortunately, it's a time when many people start to form beliefs about the way "they really are" and that they need to learn new ways to cope without smoking. The danger of this thinking is that it gives cigarettes a power that they don't have. Cigarettes have no way whatever to improve our moods or emotional states, and never did. But because of this rapid change in emotional state as we quit, it becomes easy to believe that they did, and people form a permanent belief that cigarettes were somehow useful - and that belief is responsible for a lot of recidivism. Don't fall for it. Understand that these feelings are simply a part of the quitting process, related in part to the physical and mental stresses that accompany this process - stresses that addicts can't fully appreciate since they've long since forgotten what reality is all about as smoking is concerned. A time will come when you regularly feel better than you ever did as 'normal' as a smoker. Smoking will soon be recognized only for what it is - a way to make yourself feel worse, never better. Sadly, that change occurs gradually for most folks. It's never as fast as we'd like, but it's always as fast as we need.

Congrats Doreen!! You are a true inspiration Thank you for years of support, you have helped change many lives here!

That should always be the plan. Keep up the great work @Genecanuck

You have the right attitude G Never doubt yourself … Your doing great

You are doing great Gene!! It's not easy, but as you can see, it's definitely doable. We have all gone through those trigger moments at one time or another and as Denali says, none of them require smoking to enjoy/endure. You are doing this and you will continue to do this!! One day at a time is all it takes and you will see how fast all those days add up!

Yep, parties... a job well done... a beautiful sunset on the back porch... funerals... arguments with one's spouse... BS at work... all can be triggers. But none of them require smoking to enjoy/endure. Good on you for going into the weekend with your eyes wide open and a commitment to not smoking, come what may. Keep the quit!!

Congratulations Excellent job Mee.

Amazing! Congratulations @Mee

When a stupid craving comes, or dumb thoughts about how "great" smoking was and how I miss as it, I've been visualizing this: The nicodemon, a small, roundish, ogre-like creature who has taken up residence in my belly since May 20th, is crying out for attention. I unceremoniously club him over the head. Hard. He sputters, "ouch!" shakes his head and looks weaker and goofier after every clubbing. (He's looking REALLY rough of late- has taken quite a beating over the last month.). Anyway, that's what I've been doing and it also provides some comic relief to the situation. After all, if you can laugh about something, it really has no power over you whatsoever. "Nic" is in for quite a surprise this weekend though... Monday morning I'm having a colonoscopy (my virgin voyage into this brand of deep, intense self-care). For those who have already gone this route or know someone who has, you'll be aware that Sunday will be a day of liquid diet followed by a systematic cleansing of the plumbing at the rear of my personal abode. As such, "Nic" will be losing his place of residence in my belly and will end up you-know-where... to be flushed away for good. Oh yeah... Monday's the day...