Sirius

I'm going to guess they took the song to heart.

Actually if you "really" want some amusement take your birth-date back 9 months and see what song you were conceived to. Mine was... wait for it... "Where did our Love go?" By the Supremes.

LOL! "Ticket to Ride"

Sometimes I think we have to quit each association separately. You probably got it worked out that you don't smoke while driving or eating or working and everything is just fine until you, say, enroll in a college class and are walking on campus and that craving hits because you always smoked while in college and...your now in college. Spend enough time on the campus NOT smoking and the cravings will go away right up until you are studying late at night and you always smoked when you study late at night so.... Anyhow, we have to work through these associations by dissociating smoking with what we previously did smoking. That or do completely different things as non smokers. Its a pain but we get well practiced ignoring cravings. The occasional momentary discomfort beats being on a ventilator.

I'd like to relate a little story about what happened to me a few years after my quit. Was a hectic time in the office and had less then a half hour before the next blood-on-the-floor meeting was to take place so I ducked out, went down stairs and out the front of the building to the smoking area to have a smoke. Got all the way to lobby on the first floor before I realize I'd forgotten my cigs. Back upstairs and walking into my cubicle (ugh!) and reaching for my bag when the realization struck...I don't smoke. Hi stress, fast paced, rush hour autopilot and I'm operating in a yester-year's mode without a conscious thought. I'd triggered and hadn't even realized it.

I got 87% but I take issue with a few of the statistics....?

This is not who I am...

Drink whiskey and the piercings and bungee jumping just sorta happen. I've yet to see the Grand Canyon.

Sazerac, Not sure if you were really a spoiled brat or just in denial about what you were actually doing. Regardless, I see you on this board constantly helping others so maybe the karma will balance out someday. ????

You fear smoking will kill you, and when you are afraid you smoke to calm your nerves. I recommend that you step back and review. Transcede this death-spiral or be claimed by it. I'm not judging you, merely pointing out that this is where you stand. You are at the edge where the winds of limbo roar. I have faith that you can succeed. That you have the resolve within you. Crisis is the knife edge that can fuel your break through. Have faith in yourself. Focus on your goal. Understand that the pain is transitory, but the freedom from addiction will last as long as you want it. What we pay for most dearly we prize most highly. You will look back and swear that quitting was the best decision you ever made. ...and keep posting. Win-lose-draw everyone on this train is rooting for you. Never quit quitting.

I live out in the woods so this advice might not be *advisable*. Regardless, I'd take those cigs outside and piss on them. After all, that's what they've been doing to you all these years.

There are more ex-smokers now then current smokers in the U.K. https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/1814592/more-than-14-million-brits-have-quit-smoking-and-for-the-first-time-ex-smokers-outnumber-those-hooked-by-two-to-one/ It's a well trodden path through temporary discomfort. If 14 million Britties can quit, it's not an impossible venture. Just...persevere. Withdrawal symptoms suck, but at the end of the day you won't have the guilt and regret that you smoked.

A bit too clingy for my tastes.

New & Improved Circulation!

JB, Glad you quit with no strings attached. I, unfortunately, transferred a bit of my smoking addiction to a carb fixation. I've since gotten better but my inner drill sergeant monitors what I put near my mouth. https://drillseargentdietbook.wordpress.com/

Freedom.

15

Smoking does have benefits. It helps with weight control. Provides some protection against Parkinson's disease Lowers risk of knee replacement surgery Simplifies retirement planning. Provides additional tax funding to government. Reduces Social Security impacts on society as a whole.

Gifford Pinchot national forest. Basically the areas between Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. Located in Washington. Great time to hike. The nights are cold and it's knocking back the bug population.

Skipping work. Got better things to do. A little 5.8 mile hike with lunch on the mountain. ?

Sazerac is too kind. MwBenson, I used the patch for something like two or three months tapering off via step 1, step 2, and step 3. Here's the thing. The patch allows you to break your habit of smoking cigarettes but you still have to eventually confront your addiction to nicotine. When you do get around to ending the use of the patch you will feel like you are missing something but your not certain what that is. It can be a real head spinner but its survivable and it did work for me.

Next time a craving plunks down on your face ask yourself, "What price are you willing to pay to own yourself?"

Beat me to it. Not that it ever happened to me...that I'll ever admit...ever.

Damn, I wonder how many butts I picked up during police call during my years in the military. Probably not a million but more then just a few.

It's all about attitude and visualization. My first days smoke free were about as much fun as being stuck in a tumble dryer with a Shoggoth but gradually (and I do mean graaaaaaadddduuuuaaaaally) my mental imagery became more of a Skittles and Rainbows landscape (mind the unicorn). I believe directing one's attitudes can speed up the process. There is no future in smoking. Ultimately it's a blind alley and an endpoint. Not smoking won't make things perfect, but it does remove an obstruction that allows you to reach a much greater potential.