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If it wasnt for quitting smoking, I wouldnt have been... • gradually, over the past year, deep cleaning my house to the point where I feel at home and at ease again • succesfully negotiating my job position and salary • taking up yoga classes (and even liking them) • saving money for a piano ánd being able to deal with some unexpected financial surprises • picking up writing again • losing 22 lbs • re-doing my bedroom And on a more subtle, but very meaningful level: • accepting and adjusting to some major changes in my personal life • coming to a new understanding with anxiety • learning to say 'I need some time. Let me get back at that'. • learning to be less (self)judgemental • slowly gaining back some concentration, which I use to read. Thats major, after years of depression and fighting for my sanity. The other day I ran into someone I havent talked to in a long time. She said these unforgettable words: 'its like you are more at peace now, not being haunted by some invisible raging inner critic'. And thats exactly how it is! At the time it all seemed to go sooo veeeeerryyyyy sloooow. I nearly lost patience and kept complaining about the time it took for the patterns to, well, die. I clearly remember my desperation at smokey thoughts: "does this ever stop?!". And now I am almost three months into my second year and Im able to look back at that time, with nothing less than satisfaction and an insane amount of gratitude. To the hero strugglers, keep going. You will feel better at some point, you will get there. Every day done and dusted is another promis for change. Thoughts about smoking will diminish, unrest will settle and you will find ways to give different meaning to whatever personal issues this addiction forces you to work with. It is doable and more than worth it, for me as well as for you!

So I came upon this website while googling about brain fog while quitting smoking and I've been lurking for about 3 days or so. I originally quit on 10/6/2019 and went through the withdrawals and fought like hell but ended up relapsing on 10/31/2019, I smoked half a pack of cigs in about 3 1/2 hours while handing out candy on Halloween. Here I am, 14 days later with no cigarettes fighting the withdrawals again but I think im at a point of just having anxiety and stress. I have found this website and these forums very helpful over the last few days and just figured I would drop in and stop lurking.

NOPE

G’day NOPE ..... not ever

NOPE

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT!!!!! This forum has help realize that quitting is a total commitment and that NOPE must be the mantra for life- not one when I'm stressed, not one when I've had a few drinks and I'm having fun. NOT ONE EVER! That has made this all easier. Make mine a Rum and Coke and I'll cheers you!

Before i die , i want to visit Europe once Before i die , i would like to meet Jennifer conelly Before i die , i like to spent 10 days in the kashmir Before i die , i like a bottle of jack daniels That too

Before I die ....I want the pilot to get me home from Oz !!!..... Before I die ...I want to feel content ..... Before I die ....be remembered.....

NOPE...

NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

Now you understand why we celebrate anyone that breaks free from nicotine addiction. I've read a lot of remarkable stories on this forum.

Welcome aboard Matt... Knowledge is your weapon ... Learn all about this horrible addiction ...

Being honest with yourself. Setting a goal and accomplishing it. Learning how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Recognizing the value of patience over instant gratification. These are all skills necessary to successfully quit smoking and skills that will serve you well in every area of your life. Quitting smoking is a great choice in and of itself. Quitting smoking will also prove to be a catalyst for positive change in areas seemingly unrelated to quitting smoking. Great post MLMR.

Welcome aboard Matt. Congratulations on two weeks of freedom. There is a lot to be learned by lurking, but it is far more enjoyable if you jump right in. Enjoy the ride.

Nope, I don't smoke anymore!!!

Nope

And you know what, maybe I didnt even mention the biggest change: I DO stuff! Like getting up early to take walks, going to movies, taking my mom to places, visiting friends more than I used to, facing sh*t instead of hiding ... somehow life isnt passing me by anymore.

Thanks Jill, but I should actually thank YOU and the others, for the neverending support you provide. The support and the storytelling here makes this such a wonderful and valuable place.

Welcome, TigerMatt! You will find all the support you want/need here...I suggest to read everything you can here and watch the Joel videos. I am sure others will be along to post some great site links for you! Buckle in and enjoy the ride!

Welcome aboard Tigermatt and congratz on your two weeks!!

Welcome, Tigermatt to our merry little band of quitters. Here is a post about The Great Smoke Free Mental Fog Let us know how you are feeling and we can point you to materials that will help you build a sturdy and successful quit.

Beautiful post, M. It has been astounding watching your journey and reading your posts. We are so lucky you found us and have shared so much of yourself here. You quit smoking....and the residual effects will continue to reveal themselves. The honesty involved affects everything and the trust we earn in ourselves shines a light on everything we do.

NOPE!!

I will not smoke today - not one puff.

Nope

This was a great honest post @MLMR.... I'm so happy for you ...and it has been a honour to ride the Train with you .... We hid behind smoking ,much more than we knew ...

Another great post MLMR, thank you for sharing. I'm glad to read about all the positive changes that have happened for you

Welcome aboard our train tigermatt and congratulations on two weeks smoke free I too was a lurker that found my first, now defunct, forum by googling my quit symptoms and signing up was the best thing I ever did. I am convinced that without the support of others who knew what I was going through at any given stage, I would not have succeeded. You will get as much support as you need or want here. We also have lots to do here to help keep your mind busy. From educating topics to our social section, there is tons of great stuff here. So again welcome, you're doing great!

NOPE

NOPE

Before I Die, I Want To....paint more paintings. Before I Die, I Want To....be a kinder person Before I Die, I Want To...have enough money to visit all my friends around the world or buy them tickets to visit me.

I’m watching children in need (UK BBC1). These kids and their parents kind of bring things down to earth . I always end up in bits , as I am now watching these amazing people . The little lad that has to get his lungs emptied and hates it and the “public funded” people that help them out ! WTF . I chose to inhale poison into my lungs ending in more than 40 a day ? Poor us as quitters - that is never an excuse .

Nope

NOPE

NOPE!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Nope!

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

NOPE...

Gday NOPE for today

Well done OMC

Some of the crazy addict stuff I did.... 1. Stole cigs from my parents when I ran out of my own - mind you, they both smoked Pall Mall Red (no filter). Oooh...can't say how many times I ripped the skin off my lower lip after taking a drag!!! Those cigs were harsh! 2. I only used to smoke a cig half-way and then stub it out....so when I didn't have any...the hunt was on for those 1/2 smoked stubbies...ugh! 3. Going out in the middle of the night in a blinding snowstorm to nearest 7-11 to buy a pack! 4. Smoking 3 or 4 in a row when at airports between flights...when the security rules changed and you had to go outside the airport to smoke...almost missing connecting flights because of this damned addiction! Planning flights to airports that still had smoking lounges ...even thought it took me way out of my way!! 5. I am a scuba diver and after every dive spent the dive interval time sitting on the boat or a beach and lighting up!!! Crazy, I know! 6. I flew from NYC to Copenhagen once and it felt like torture .....would I have to give up dreams of going to Australia, New Zealand, Alaska and Hawaii?? At the time, I thought so... So happy that I am smoke-free now....

0. Sorry I thought it was 20

Going out to @Boo, Sugar Britches and the new one

Good job OMC. You're well on your way now.

Before I die I want to watch the sun rise at Gallipoli.

Before I Die, I Want To...write something meaningful. Before I Die, I Want To...take an amazing vacation with my Mom. Before I Die, I Want To...pay my debts.

NOPE Happy Friday everybody