Lust4Life

16

True- sad but true TNP has a functional turntable (record player) that they use

Inevitable

10

I smoked a pack of JACS tonight. Tsk tsk for shame on me. Maybe not a whole pack. A bunch of tokes over the course of an hour or so. I'm over 2 years quit and I needed my fix. Life happens. People suck. Wine is delicious. A moment to reflect. To feel, think, hear my breath, feel my lungs inflate. Inflate with the unaltered air surrounding me. JACs are Jillar's Air Cigs. I coined the phrase in 2016. Back then I was a straw smoker. It worked. For me and maybe others. The battle I fought wasn't really the nicotine. It was the ritual. The inhales and exhales. Screw yoga. There was something therapeutic about watching the smoke. I tried NON-nicotine alternatives to mimic the fluid dynamics of those streams- before I quit quitting and Quit. The "smoke" was therapeutic. This is another battle to fight and overcome when quitting. So much is focused on the nicotine addiction. There is a mental addiction that is, for some like me, more difficult to overcome. So- for those like me that were more addicted to the act of smoking- do not be ashamed to pretend to smoke thr/ a straw or thr/ your own pursed lips against your fingers. The end usually justifies the means. Figure out how and why you wish to live a longer and healthier life and make it happen. It will suck along the way. Be sure to stop and breathe unaltered air.

Live long and prosper

Hi Second Chance and welcome! As I read it, you have some anxiety. You do not wish to start any medication for the anxiety. One question you asked us did anyone else experience this? Yes, I did. I found myself avoiding friends (that smoked), talking on the phone at length with friends/family, going out to bars/pubs to socialize. This self imposed isolation brought on some depression. Seemed like nothing was fun. This went on for several months. I found quit smoking forum to be a great ally and support network. Reading posts & posting my own- playing games here offer a great distraction. My anxiety and depression improved. I started doing low impact exercises- water aerobics, walks. Slowly I re-entered social situations. The one thing I knew for sure was that smoking again would make me feel MORE anxious and MORE depressed. The first months of quitting were very hard for me & I never wanted to do it again. If I smoked- I’d be a smoker until my untimely and early death. Talk about living with anxiety! Doing something you know will harm more than help you. Stick around here. Stay distracted. Don’t smoke.

Oh!! Whew! I’m so glad you’re OK. Standing Ovation for not smoking and posting the SOS. I hope you heal without any complications GITW.

How are you GITW? How is your head? Please update as you are able.

Ouch!!! Holy crap gitw. I can see how this could be a trigger. Deep breaths. Tell them to hook you up to some O2. Be thankful to request it and not need it daily. Your body is mad and glad right now. Mad bc it hurts. Glad bc blood cells are moving about like they should to fight off infection- your improved circulation from not smoking is helping them. Smoking might seem to temporarily relieve the stress from the injury. NOPE! It will just stress out your body and mind more. Dont smoke. Help your body heal. Feel better gitw.

Not posting the video b/c it is assoc w a druggie movie. And the song talks about drugs... I Iggy Pop singing Lust for Life. I know my Johnny won’t come at me with anything a vulgar as Iggy sings... So Iggy is followed by ABBA Mama Mia on my playlist. That’s how I roll... haha!! ETA: After ABBA is Sinead O’Connor w Mandinka from the LP Lion and the Cobra.

Bag grocery vegetables

Congratulations on 4 years MikePiano! I miss seeing you around. I imagine you are walking with your angels, playing wonderful music & enjoying the continued benefits of sobriety and smobriety. All the Best, L4L

Howdy! I’m Lust4Life AKA: L4L, Lust, Lusty Quit: Sept 26, 2016 making me a member of the awesome 2016 Buttkickers gang. Why? I despised smoking more than I enjoyed it. The importance of living healthier & longer for my child (and myself) outweighed the “importance” of feeding this addiction. I was was a closet smoker to most. Therefore, I had no Pomp and Circumstance when I quit or as my quit grew. I found joining a quit forum gave me the much needed outlet to vent about my quit and get much needed support and advice. The best thing (besides obvious health) is gaining back time and losing the anxiety assoc. with smoking (do I have enough, a lighter, do I stink, when will I be alone so I can smoke?).

Congratulations Rozuki on 2 years! Awesome job!

Baked! I think friends across the pond call them jacket potatoes? Baked in the oven whole; crispy skin and fluffy delicious insides. I add butter, salt & pepper. Maybe sour cream and chives if available.

Quagmire

Onions

Some politicians are lying weasels. Scissors

Out like a light.

Dried

Lava

Congratulations one 1 month, Jaime!

You should have your sassy pants on cat lover!! Strut your stuff! Congratulations on 1 year and welcome to the Lido! We are so happy to have you!

Congratulations on 2 months MrsFowkes!