Reciprocity

It's hard for me to tell the difference between an urge and just a thought about having a smoke. I don't feel I have had any real urges or cravings to smoke in some number of months but do I still have thoughts about smoking .... yes I do. I think we always will just because we were once smokers. It will never be like you didn't ever smoke. Not possible to erase those imprints on your brain but, the longer we go without smoking, the easier it gets to manage those thoughts. When we start out in our quit we are so focused on how bad smoking is for us and how it isn't our friend and does nothing good for us but then, as our quits become more mature, those negative impressions of smoking fade somewhat and memories of how we thought smoking was so satisfying back in the day can start to creep into your brain again. Ah yeah! Maybe just one for old time sake? A couple of puffs won't hurt cuz I've been quit now for over a year so I'm no longer addicted really. I don't know how many times that very reasoning has been the cause of a relapse for a long term quitter. Allowing yourself to get into that mindset were you start romancing the cigarette even just a little is the most dangerous thing you can do after a long term quit. It's not hard at all to stay quit after awhile but it's very easy to relapse if you don't control your thoughts about smoking. Instead of thinking how we could have just one, think about how devastated you would feel immediately after having just one. That's the reality!

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Hey congrats Zeezazz! This is the best thing you can do for yourself, and I'm sure you already know that. Yes, the freedom from this addiction is one of the biggest benefits I think I would give hubby the heads-up that you are quitting. You will likely be "on edge" anyway in the early days so better he knows why right? In terms of weight gain, that you can deal with as you build your quit by trying to eat right and some exercise. There's even and page on here dealing with that. I hope to see you around noping every day Z. Let's make this your forever Quit!

I felt tired early in my quit as well ST! I remember I couldn't wait until bedtime each night because I was just exhausted from battling the cravings and the what seemed like constant urge to smoke. And yes, time distortion was the worst. Time seemed to be standing still during those early days. This is where I had to just dig deep and rely on my unwavering commitment That worked and here I am today. Smoking .... doesn't interest me in the least. You CAN do it. We all have it within us to do it. Just want it badly enough to put up with the early days of adjustment. You will get there just as we all do.

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Hey Pippa! Peppa Pig here to congratulate you on being 5 years smoke free! Celebrate in style

The annual Lake Erie Pottahawk Piss-Up was last weekend! Weather was awesome this year. Sunny and in the 30's C! Just be careful not to fall in and swallow any water. You know that all the beer that goes in must come back out at some point and .... well; I don't see any potties around, do you?

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Don't you dare.............. Nope!

Very nice post Saz that captures the essence of our early quit I think many of us are the same Sslip! No clue at first and full of fear and trepidation over what will happen to us as we start out on this journey. After a while, we realize hey, maybe we CAN actually do this because we are making good progress toward our ultimate goal. You just passed your 6 month mark. Can you even imagine giving up all you have fought for to date - NOPE!

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Yes Please .....................

^^^ Rose knows Accept the yuk of your early quit days, knowing none of it will last long and embrace the process of staying smoke free each day and one day at a time. Keeping a positive attitude does wonders for you in the early days. Don't forget to NOPE every day too

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Great Job ST! Anticipating possible smoking trigger situations and having a plan to deal with them is half the battle. Your unwavering resolve to remain quit will always get you through those times. Stay strong my friend

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4 me too

Congrats SmokeFree on completing a 2nd year of freedom from smoking! I know you will mark this day in some special way. You are showing others how it's done in the best way possible. Leading by example! Just fabulous - thanks for showing us it's possible 1 now becomes 2

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^^^ As they say in the McDonalds ads .............. I'm lovin' it! LOL Welcome back T2B ?