Still winning

Hiya Rob, Good to see the update on day 4. Day 3 sucked big time for a lot of people. The nice thing I think is it seems after a tough day an easier one comes and we get a break. Worth remembering if you face a tough day. The one thing I can relate to with what you've said is when it feels like the feelings are taking you over and it takes all day. I wanted to take a moment to mention my thoughts in case it helps you at all. Sometimes, without even meaning too you can follow a line of thought. I mean start thinking about it, over thinking it etc etc. It may sound silly but distract yourself as quickly as possible. No big thinking helps. Just literally think nope and do something else as soon as possible. Simple advice that really helped me early days so happy to pass it on. Other than that, reading and watching the vids helps solidify your thinking. Lots more energy - check - super excited for you with what is coming!! Your first actual deep breath is pretty amazing :) Some people find their sleep patterns are disturbed to start. However I agree, need far less sleep now and hangovers are way easier too. All good news, more time to enjoy life! Have you put any new habits in place to replace the times you would smoke? That really helped me. As did writing a list of reasons you quit, carry it with and if you doubt it's easy to pull out your own reasons and re-assure yourself? Junk food, why not ey :) Just a phase, don't worry too much. It will calm down on it's own and you will find a new normal later. Although exercise really helps with this quitting malarky...gets the feel good endorphins releasing and combined with the extra energy, more time etc not a bad "habit" to add when you feel ready. Rambling, oops!! Shutting up now :) Welcome and congrats on your quit!! x

Welcome Lennon, So pleased you found this place. I do absolutely think our children can carry a quit, we are parents after all, but it's healthy to read up about what it is you're facing. I baulked at being called an addict, I am a nice girl lol. However it is true, the more you understand about the way nicotine works and takes hold the easier it is to choose not to smoke despite some crazy thoughts. My big advice is start replacing your triggers. If you smoked first thing, find a "new normal" thing to do (eg read here, clean your work surfaces or any one thing). If you smoked in the car, get a cough candy or suck air through a straw etc etc habit going. The thing I never understood is it caused no pain not to smoke, but all kinds of chaos if I did. The thoughts however, were emotional and constant unless I replaced them. Hope that helps as a start point :) Oh, and write a list of all the reasons you don't want to be a smoker and carry it with you wherever you go...you start to doubt, whip out the list and read your own reasons there and then...really easy way to remind yourself, then say nope and move on with your day. x

Let's 'av it NOPE

Jeez are you a biker or an armchair cruiser haha PS, Virtual hi five to Mrs Bakon, saintly and strong :)

Feeling amused and terrified in equal measure

I know it's a tough time but maybe try and see the quit as a good thing in a dark time...rather than smoking would help. Love and strength to you. xx

Keep facing it dowm by looking it in the eye and saying NOPE and it loses power, your junkie begins to snooze more often. I'm only 10 months ahead of you, not even a year which is a small amount of time in general terms and I promise, smoking doesn't enter my head when I go out, even drinking ..because I went out early doors and asked people to make sure I didn't in case I was dumb enough to try it on :) Just keep doing today and tomorrow can be dealt with when you get there. xx

I think it's great...and yet this guy freaks me out a little

Ain't that the truth!! As I said somewhere else for JC. Facing this trigger today, gives it less power. So next time you face this same scenario, you will already know that you can NOPE through it without further ado. It takes the sting out of it after the initial time as your brain has a record of success. Well done cutting out the tabs (sorry, not familiar with the name) but are you drinking sips of fruit juice again now and for the next couple of days? The nicotine does something with our blood sugar levels so when you quit it...the levels go all skew whiff and it can make you more tired, anxious etc and feel dead like a crave!! Sips of any fruit juice every couple of hours will really help...I have no idea why lol. Great work today.

fingers crossed no snow! Love your no smo plan :) Happy one week Laura. xx

So basically, you diet and exercise, you need to say how you're doing, if it's good, virtual hi fives. If it's bad, you get a telling off... Is that the plan? I'm a little confused...

5 sleeps until our very own Comrade hits up the lido deck!! Bring the countdown!!

9 sleeps till our amazing Julie has the lido pass!! You know what to do right....

One week, one whole week!! Amazing work :) Really love your journal, inspiring to read for me and I bet for someone new coming in or even terrified looking at the forum as a guest. Massive congrats to you on the 1st week of freedom!! x

BOOM!! 1 whole year. Sit and chill, grab a cocktail and alido deck from somewhere :D or virtual might be more sensible haha. Really impressive quit. See your straight forward NOPE all the time and think yeah, that is how you do it. Fabulous sweetie. Massive congrats to you. x

This is huge!! 2 weeks is such an empowering stage of a quit, you are a non smoker, how fabulous is that :) Massive congrats on 2 weeks!! x

Massive congrats for the half a year DF, immense work!! Make sure to celebrate. x

Well done beautiful Sarah, 3/4 of a year. And a very inspiring quit ta boot!! Massive congrats to you on 9 months free of it all!! xx

Hey beauty, you did it, dug deep and got on with it!! Proud of you and your 1 week Laura, good for you... can't smoke anyway, gonna need the money for the agent to pay for a new life opportunity! For the children, and for you..whatever works. Much love xx

Hey Whack, half a year is fantabulous!! Good on ya chick :) Massive congrats for 6 beautiful months of freedom. x

Hey baby girl, thinking of you and also hoping you are getting some rest. No idea really what to say or do but am here if you want to vent or talk. x

Busted lol

nope.

Garbage day becomes interesting ;) Much joy to be had from now on nippy :) You'll find yourself becoming a "scent junkie" now, sniffing fabric softeners, scented candles, room fresheners etc etc lol. It's wonderful, really pleased you've found this new win. x

Every time you face down these larger triggers they carry less power the next time. So great job facing that down!! Next time you will know you can do that and it won't be such a big deal unless you choose to give it the head space. Way to go!!