Sirius

I learned to drive at the venerable age of nineteen. I was in the army stationed overseas. My sergeant tossed the dispatch and keys to me and I was sent out to turn-in protective masks in Worms, Germany. The fact that we were stationed in Giessen just added to the experience(s). Inner cities, autobahns, it was a surrealistic blur as I learned to drive all manner of vehicles. I even got a safe driver badge out of it for some umpty-dumpty thousands of miles without an accident. I don't actually recommend this as a method for learning to drive but it was...immersive. The first month I was a very, very bad driver but I got better in a hurry. Always drove defensive and never exceeded 205 KPH.

I think we are all well acquainted with failure. It happened, but that's all in the past. The important question is what do you do going forward? Learn from this and understand why you lapsed. Identify the trigger and visualize what you will do different next time The train still waits for you.

Belief in one's self is absolutely critical for a successful quit. If you think you can, or you think you can't; you're right. ...and of course we never "quit," so much as we devote ourselves to a life-time of abstinence. Embrace it. Own it.

...and out pop a pair of pink cameo size 7 classic ballet flats. I drop in a hardback edition of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace"

...and out drops a couple sweaty sticks of TNT. :sarcastic_blum: I insert 1 squawking and rather irate Toulouse Goose into the coke machine.

Nope

Acceptance; yeah. Yeah I miss smoking, but the accompanying baggage isn't worth that golden moment. I'm an ex-smoker. I may stand diminished but I'm still standing. ...and I stand without the smokes. :sun_bespectacled:

Glad you enjoyed your vacation. :)

Discovered another benefit to not smoking. Came down with a nasty cold over the last weekend. Friday I had the sore throat. Saturday was badly congested. Sunday had the chills, sneezes, and coughs. Monday through Thursday I steadily got better with a gradual lessening of congestion and mild coughing. When I was smoking a cold would have snaked its way into my lungs and I'd have a chest congestion for several weeks with nigh constant hacking and coughing. :bad: So my secondary benefit is that I bounce back from a cold much more quickly then in my smoking days. Something to think about.... :sun_bespectacled:

Farmer's Almanac lists the best days to quit smoking. https://www.farmersalmanac.com/calendar/best-days/health-beauty/quit-smoking/ October 5th, 8th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th November 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th December 3rd Oh, hey, today is the fifth of October. Imagine that. Maybe, just maybe, you can save your life.

Would you believe Quit 4 October?

Although Stoptober works too!

Don't forget Quitober :P

Nope, nadda, zilch. Smoking is a mere Floccinaucinihilipilification.

Yup, you don't ever stop quitting. Its everyday, day after day, till the end of your days. So keep on quitting, for as tough as it is, it's a lot tougher ending your days with emphysema. Also, it gets easier the longer you work it. ;)

“The mind commands the body and is instantly obeyed. The mind commands itself and meets resistance.” ― Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

Not a bad combination. :)

I don't believe my quit was quite so physically bumpy. Of course, when your brain is missing something it's been relying on the side affects can be quite varied. During this period of adjustment I could tell you to drink plenty of fluids, etc, but whatever gets you through this time is exactly what you need. Hopefully this won't include bulk level consumption of Haagen Dazs ice cream bars (my personal weakness :wub: ), but if it does, then you do what you got to do.

I feel like a Q-tip that's been passed through one ear and out the other. :fool:

I think part of the problem is, while a person may superficially wish to quit, such desires are sabotaged by a lack of preparation to fully embrace the concept of change that will be experienced. You literally change when you quit smoking. Your brain has to undergo some rewiring as it detoxifies from its use of nicotine. If you do not commit to the changes you will face then your commitment to quit the smoking habit can be illusory. P.S. It's worth it.