sharonsiff

I don't have any thoughts or triggers at all now, which I would 'wrongly' never believed. I honestly thought I would would spend the rest of my adult life mixing up cravings with triggers and fighting both. Time and patience paid off I'm pleased to say. I will admit though there have been times it had crossed my mind to have a no nicotine vape. So I assumed it was the sectioning the day and the action I missed. Anyway I sorted that out, by accident, and learned my body enjoys holding in my breath for at least 10 seconds then ever so slowly, but deeply, releasing the breath. I honestly can feel some sort of rush and joy when I do this. So I've learned to still section up my day, but not 30 times like when I smoked! And if I fancy it treat myself to a face goes pink in breath then release. But crave cigs? Not a chance anymore... The smell alone turns my stomach, just yuck!

Chrispy said it for me. Jackie please don't let lifes projects, challenges and celebrations give you the excuse to smoke. Been there done that! You must believe that you will get past the 7 month mark because by simply sticking to NOPE, no matter what, you will. I wish I had a magic wand that could magic away the romancing the cigs feelings you get, I have no answer other than read, hang tough and just trust that equal amounts of time and patience do remove the romancing the cig feeling... Along with not confusing a trigger with an actual crave. Hope you had a lovely wedding and I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures xx

I pledge to hang around and encourage others too. Great post Ross xx

Well done Evelyn... You've proved to yourself that you can do it so I have no doubt you'll keep doing it xx

Two years, brilliant! Congratulations :)

Oh yes, their chemistry was clear to see. I really like Johnny, I loved him in Dexter.. Tick, rock, tick, tock. Not sure if you were a Dexter fan? I will have to look out for Fargo too. We have Netflix but to be honest the girls are on it mostly watching old Moderen Families and films. One of my TV's is on it's last legs I think I will get a smart TV so I can stream Netflix from my pad to my TV. I could catch up on old series's of things you recommend then at least. Sky TV keeps showing an advert about box sets being available I must look into that too. I do love my TV time... 8:30 till 10:30 each night, I look forward to it tbh. I watch the news after meals but don't settle down for real TV till later... But when I do I love it! Shameless was hilarious in the UK, oh my goodness I used to belly laugh all the time... So wrong, yet so right ;) My 15 year old girls have started to watch Friends on one of the Sky channels, they love it.. As did I it was one of my favourites. I really enjoy chatting TV shows with you DD and if you spot any other good shows let me know! The Stalker is on our end tonight, 9pm...can't wait ;)

Exactly, that's the spirit... Mind you I do hope your throat feels less sore by now xx

The Leftovers, that's it! I can tell it was from the creators of lost, now you've said it as I got the Lost vibe. I just didn't want another six years trying to fathom out what the Sue Heck was going on! Been there, done that... And cried at the Lost finalie of course. Yes I must chat to Lee about Sherlock, they go mad for it here in the UK. I enjoyed Jonny what's his name? In Elementary for a while, must have forgotten to add it to Sky plus when a new series started. You have a great memory recall DD.

You know though, it will be here before we know it! I go August, when do you go? From now to then we have Easter break... spring planting out in the borders...reading countless reviews on said destinations to get us in the mood and the exciting shopping for holiday clothes and Nick nacks... We have no time when you think! ;)

I saw you, popped the kettle on to make you a brew... Looked again and you'd gone!

Oh dear, so a pants day your end then? Think of your cruise Chrispy...when all else fails just think of your luxurious get-away.

I'll go look...

DD I haven't thought of Sherlock! I must give that one a watch...or Cumberbatch. Oh I throughly enjoy both the Blacklist and Person Of Interest. Both just get better and better IMO. I was watching one, tut... Having a mind gone blank moment again! ( happens a lot) It was about lots of people just disappearing...then some of then wore white clothes, didn't speak and just smoked. I got fed up with it and felt it got a bit like Lost, to difficult to see the story within the story... So I sacked it. Did you watch that one? It will frustrate me now that I can't recall the name of it..grrr. One of the lead males is engaged to Jennier Aniston.... No, still can't get it!

I had my first day back at work today, after a week and 3 days Christmas holiday break. Wasn't looking forward to a 6:30am get up, but once up and a coffee down my neck I was good to go. I am more happy to go back this Jan than last Jan as I have a goal in sight, my holiday and it makes all the difference. Extremely excited and will work with a big fat smile on my face as the money is no longer being wasted on smoking, instead a treat for all the family... Have gone past the £6000 not spent mark today, I think :) Did any of you have your first day back today? How did it go?

Fabulous... Isn't he a dish in this too! I am waiting very patiently in the UK for the return of The Blacklist, Person Of Interest and The Mentalist...even AHS has taken a mid season break DD... Frustrated...lol

Hi Wendy... No lecture from me either. So your being pro active and have booked an appointment with the NHS quit smoking support..that's good. Wendy I did this, years ago, and got a prescription for Chantix. It made a lot of difference and the withdrawals where almost zero. So talk it through as it could be just what you need to give you the confidence you need. I screwed up Wendy and smoked one 4 or 5 weeks in...just to prove I was so over it. Do not do that! Whatever you do as it took me another 12 years or so to get to finally being free and happy to be free. I look forward to you reporting back on Friday with info on your consultation. Believe that you can be free Wendy...because you honestly can xx

All the best Beth... :)

Lovely to meet you Rooster :) I think that's a marvellous idea, to post something daily, keeps you focused and on the right track. I agree with Colleen in pledging NOPE each day is a great mantra to have. Really looking forward to getting to know you and am so sorry to hear about your grandparents passing away. Grandparents are very special people... So sorry xx

I did a similar thing DD. Lee got through, unknown to me at the time, on DS American Idol auditions so I was stuck on a bench nearby, not able to go for a smoke, waiting till he finally turned so I could go for a cig. I waited 45 and was livid! Now I look back and am ashamed, deeply ashamed. He walked out of AI so excited, and totally shocked, to have got through and all I did was go nuts because I was sat there waiting 45mins so I could go for a smoke. Totally ashamed of my old self. I too sat out a few shows just so I could go and chain smoke...you know, pack em in, while I had a 30 minute window. How utterly ridiculous! At least on my revist I will not have that silly behaviour again...

Good post Evelyn. I'm not into religion but understand many are and it brings them a lot of comfort. I can see you are getting both direction and comfort from your faith so that's fabulous in my book. I imagine your blogs help you unravel and make sense of your thoughts, very helpful. I make lists when my mind is spinning with lots of information and it helps me no end and gives me a sense of mental peace, to have off loaded it from my mind. Keep up these blogs... I can see you're on the right track ;)

Yes, kick the past in the balls and do not let it hurt you now. Good job not reaching for a stinky cig..I mean just yuck! Google David Tennant and get your Dr Who on my friend. Distraction and easy on the eye... Two birds with one stone. Good job reaching out too, very sensible xx

I'm happy that I have my part time job to go back to tomorrow. Of course I'd prefer the alarm not to go off at 6:30am, but at least having a part time job pays for treats and adds to savings for later years. Happy and grateful.

Yes! That's his name... He is rather easy on the eye in this too... ;)