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Soberjulie Posted April 7, 2014 some days are harder than others. but you don't pick up that first cigarette you just don't. it's less about willpower than it is about making a decision not to, in advance of the thought or the desire, no matter how scared, angry, jealous, happy, bored, horny, depressed, anxious, elated, insecure, arrogant, lonely or silly you feel. some days it seems that although yesterday life looked good, today it doesn't, and although you know the only thing that's changed is your attitude, it's hard to shake. but you don't pick up that first cigarette the one that always leads to all the others. you just don't. even though you might think about it for a minute. (but you're too smart to let that thought linger. Still ... for just a minute, the idea is there it feels like the Universe is leaning on every. single. button. so you make some phone calls but all you get is voice mail. but you don't pick up that first cigarette you just don't. you leave messages all over Quit Train and Facebook pretending to be doing a little better than you are, but sort of alluding to the idea that, gosh, if they could get back to you that would be cool... You feel stupid about what could amount to spamming your social networks but you log on and do the same thing again. and that thought from before, the one about smoking didn't leave, exactly. it's like a piece of food stuck between your teeth, or a little splinter on the bottom of an unimportant toe (not the big one, that you'd feel with every step -- this is there/not there -- uncomfortable enough to feel but not so much that you stop and do something about it.) so you get busy, and try to write, or read, or do that whatever-it-was you've been putting off, but that just feels futile or irritating. and you dare the universe to dazzle you with some amazing "coincidence" -- a call from your quit buddy right now -- a knock on the door right this moment, a particular song on the radio the second you turn it on -- a Sign you can share about at Quit Train then everyone will smile warmly and nod, and you'll feel all "right" with things and wise and connected ... but ... nothing happens. no call. no knock. an ad for discount mattresses on the radio. and you don't pick up the first cigarette you just don't. you judge yourself an ingrate, a poser, an impostor, a spoiled/wounded ass/sadsack, pathetic you judge yourself for judging yourself, you go to the refrigerator you look at porn you click through channels on tv you wonder if you need medication, you suspect you should try deep breathing and meditation but you don't. but you don't pick up the first cigarette you just don't. and it gets better. it passes. eventually. If you Just Don't. Link to original post: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/354-you-just-dont/

Happy anniversary Chris @Cbdave, and thank you for always being here with your NOPE threads! Hope you have a GREAT day

He is a beautiful baby @Katgirl 🤗

Oh that poor baby, such a lot to go through at such a young age. At least he won't remember any of it when he gets older. Thank you for the update @Katgirl

Our Doreen is down with Covid you guys and is in bed resting. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery.............. We love you @Doreensfree, xoxo

Congratulations @MarylandQuitter on nine years quit! I hope you have a great day and weekend 😊

Here and ready for Halloween!

Yeah @overcome, three months quit! That's FANTASTIC! Don't forget to treat yourself special today

Sazerac Quit Date: October 23, 2013, A Good Day to be Free. Posted May 4, 2018 Surviving The Great NicotineFree Fog Some people experience a mental fog soon after they quit smoking or using nicotine, others don't. It can last from a few hours to a few weeks or longer. My fog wasn't consistent, showing up unannounced and somewhat dismaying. Who am I kidding ? It was disarming and seemed impenetrable. I couldn't have made thoughtful decisions and was glad they weren't necessary. My fog lasted over a month and lingered far too long. Not what you want to hear, I know, but remember, this was only my experience. Everyone's quit is unique, much has to do with attitude, general wellness, behavior/lifestyle, nutrition... Keep some tricks in your tool box to help you, just in case, and keep your blood sugar up. Antidotes ? forced walks, cold air, intentional breathing, too much coffee, 'embracing the suck', attention to my blood sugar, alerting people that might be affected, not stressing out about it...understanding that it will pass. Duration and Density ? On a scale, (10) drastically impaired to (0) normal. -For three days, with OTC help and Whisky, I flirted with informal catatonia (10) -For two weeks, I had little concentration, I wasn't making executive decisions or problem solving (7) -At four weeks, I slowly wakened to lethargy (3) and indolence (2.5) -It tapered off so s l o w l y, it was hard to mark but, that could have been my inattentiveness. pfftt. Have you experienced The Great Smoke Free Fog ? What helped you ? How dense was it ? When did it clear ? Link to original post: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/10324-the-great-nicotine-free-mental-fog/

I Love to see those high prices, hopefully it stops people from starting up the habit and becoming addicted!

I think that you should never ever run out of toilet paper What do saw horses eat?

Congratulations @JustSomeGuy on one year quit, that's AWESOME!😊

I'm watching it too @Boo, my sister lives in Merritt Island 😞

BEER. Lots and lots of beer...........................

Congratulations @Lust4Lifeon six years quit! And thank you for continuing to pay it forward when you can. I hope you have a great day today 😊

babs609 Quit Date: 07/13/2012 Posted April 23, 2014 That's what a lot of frustrated quitters feel when they are still young and fresh in their quit......water, deep breaths, walking, distracting, cleaning, exercising, posting, talking to a friend....the list is endless...but each and every one of those things are temporary...and as a new quitter...you get frustrated ya know? Yes...I tried all those things..and it never lasts...I tried the water 20 minutes ago...helped temporarily but it's back full swing now...so what should I do...I'm tired of these cravings....these things mentioned only help for the moment and i'm sick of it...why won't it just go away???????????????????? Sound familiar??? Well....of course the alternatives to smoking a cigarette are only a temporary distraction. 20 minutes later...that craving is back. But guess what? That's what you went through every 20 minutes as a smoker too. The cigarette is also a temporary fix....you smoke..and 20 minutes later...you want another. The difference between the smoker and the one who has quit is this: The Smoker continues this pattern for life. The quitter starts off with the pattern of every 20 minutes..however as the quitter continues to ward off the craving with the alternative choices (ie water, exercise..etc) the time between cravings becomes more and more. 20 minutes today...25 minutes tomorrow...45 minutes by next week....a week later it's like "wow...2 hours went by and I didn't think about smoking once" The smoker...is still feeding his addiction...every 20 minutes. Nothing has changed with that guy.... So.....the craving blocker is temporary? Temporarily it is......but continue to choose alternatives..and you will break free....you will. Choose to smoke..and be prepared for a lifetime of slavery. The only person who continues to suffer with regular cravings is the smoker....ironic isn't it? As smokers...we avoided quitting because we didn't want to suffer....turns out...the smoker is always suffering. which do you choose? Smoker or non-smoker? Link to original post: https://www.quittrain.com/topic/896-temporary-fixes/

Congratulations @bakon for being a decade quit! That's something to be proud of for sure Glad to read your enjoying your retirement. I see you even made the mobile home parks monthly newsletter with your dance moves, well done 🤣

Ha,ha boo, I know that one😄 Mine was from drinking a bottle of Root beer Schnapps. I kid you not I threw up 17 times AND I was camping with my pretty new boyfriend at the lake. So to not have him see me I faced the lake to throw up. I don't know how many people saw but by the shout outs I received i'd guess it was quite a few😂

Congratulations on a decade quit, and your retirement. Sounds like you're living the good life

6. Peanuts

4. Sliders