Genecanuck

Red Flags Repost from @Sazerac I have confidence in my quit and estimate my chance of relapse is low still...addiction is a wily condition and I am human Here are my four maneuvers to avert relapse, ( Think again, Get right with yourself, Contact an ally, Post an SOS ) and a slew of red flags... When you know better yet, are purposefully leading yourself astray ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you have tiny tempting smokey thoughts that you are nuturing by not dismissing immediately and aggressively ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ I won't get addicted this time ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Whenever you start to 'romance smoking' ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you seriously entertain the idea that smoking looks attractive or makes you feel carefree and part of the fun ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you are having silly thoughts like, my smoking friends are having a great time and I'm missing out ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you really wonder, what it would it taste like now, ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Will I still get that, 'ahhhh' feeling ? ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ When you start to think that you are 'different' and that you can handle just one. ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Do you think you can quit again without much effort? ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you want to give yourself permission for just one, once in a while, just this once ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you feel too secure in your quit and start to act cocky ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you propose to test your quit ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Are you starting to believe, you've been quit long enough to handle a puff or two? ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you know too much to get addicted again ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Whever you are doubting your commitment to your quit ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you ignore the reality that smoking is a terrifying choice with significant consequences ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ If you are dismissive of the fact that you can Never Take Another Puff, Not One Puff Ever. ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ I forgot the major red flag, I am not an addict ! ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ I'm an adult and I'll do wtf I want ! ~ think again, get right with yourself, contact an ally, post an SOS ~ Have you more red flags to add ? Different manuevers ?

Good morning, I can never allow myself to use and/or blame my partner for my smoking. He may always smoke and that is not about me..... and reminding myself that just because I made a mistake does not mean I am a mistake. I am trying to re-orient my addict brain to avoid giving myself any excuses to smoke and that includes not allowing myself to go on some pitty party that becomes a justification to smoke. I am not smoking today.

Good morning eveyrone, I will have to stick close to Quittrain and re-read everything I can to get it into my thick skull that smoking is never a cure for anything. I want to get off the relapse train and stay on the Quittrain.... my biggest challenge is that I need to STOP romancing the smoke, not just in the diffuclt times in my life but when I am having fun... YES... that junkie thinking that says that when I am enjoying myself, somewhow smoking will make things better..... Feeling the need to say the serenity prayer today... God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the differece. I

@Wayne045... now you get to carry the tourch for our dearly departed friend Jillar.... Happy 9th Anniversary.

Congrats on 2 months @Pilgrim .....Well done... never loose that resolve. I know all to well that we are just one puff away from a pack of smokes a day. You DONT want to do that. Now I am drawing strength from you brother.

I am so sad and sorry to hear about @jillar... s passing. And I know she was a good friend and support to many here. I am holding her family and friends in my thoughts and prayers during this very diffucult time. Rest in peace @jillar

Hi @Doreensfree... a little bit of tough love.. yes that is in order. The worst thing is dissapointing myself and feeling like im letting down friends here... but I will dust myself off and keep going. I really don't want to allow myself to indulge in a pitty party. Thanks for your support.

Thank you @DenaliBlues

You are right @QuittingGirl... i could say a lot of things but they would all be excuses. I've have had some heavy family isssues going on... none of that is an excuse to smoke.

Congrats @QuittingGirl... What an awesome milestone.

Hello everyone, I had a relapse and I am starting over.

Good morning. I had a relapse and I am starting over. NOPE

Good morning @tocevoD.. if you are beginning to feel like a non-smoker, that is a good sign. Hope your son heals well. Regards, Gene

Good morning everyone, Happy to be here this morning with my quit in tact. This weekend, I spent time with family and did some partying with friends. Yes, I was romancing smokING big time and honestly came very close to smoking. I still have work to do to get to a headspace where I completly stop romancing the smoke. Well today, not having one puff. Cheers, Gene

Hello:) I asked my AI program how I can maintain a positive attiude and hope for the future when we have some global leaders tearing down the foundations of democracy. Here is the response: Thought for the Day: Cultivating Hope and Resilience In times of uncertainty and change, it is natural to feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. Yet, history teaches us that from adversity, we often find our greatest strengths. As we navigate through complex global landscapes, let us remember the power of community, dialogue, and perseverance. "In the face of adversity, we have the opportunity to build bridges, not walls. By listening to diverse voices and embracing the values of empathy and understanding, we lay the groundwork for a future where democracy flourishes and justice prevails."

Lovely

What am I doing?.... I had to buy new car tires. Bought Goodyear tires.... It was expensive. Cost 1,200 Canadian. Taxes In.

Maple leaves flutter Autumn's chill in Ottawa River whispers by

You are absolutely right @Pilgrim... but please examine your thoughts about the that first "exciting" cigarette you had. Was it really that exciting? Did you love the taste of the hot air burning your lungs? Did you really love the feel as you probably wanted to gag a bit after that first puff? Did it really feel like a lot of fun? Probably not. The nature of the addiction is that our brains trick us into believing that a cigarette was responsble for creating this imaginary exciting pleasure. That' really the brain distorting the truth. It is false evidince that appears real. You are doing amazging in our quit but I offer abit of advice. Please re-examine that belief you have about the excitement of smoking a ciggie. Its a form of romancing the smoke which can be the cause of a future relapse my friend..... the next frontier for you to overcome in your quit process is to overcome this false thinking. This is what is needed now for you to maintain a long term quit. Keep up the good work.... you are doing aweseome. @Pilgrim ... give this a read. From an old mentor of mine in Quitnet.... he responded to me when I was in the midst of glamorizing and romancing a cigarette..... RE: Dangerous Thinking----Help From danl1 on 9/21/2004 8:56:09 AM No buttkicking for you today, because weakness is not the problem. Never was, really. The only problem you have - or ever did - is that you believe that smoking has a way to improve your life. It does not, and the last 107 days have proven that to you if you'll only pay attention to the lessons. Chances are you are "romancing the smoke" - remembering it to be an enjoyable thing to smoke. IT'S NOT. The things you were doing while smoking - say, relaxing or socializing - were good things, but the cigarette did not enhance that experience at all. Take a moment to remember the first cigarette you ever smoked, carefully, fully, and honestly. Nasty, Gross, Dizzying, and Nauseating. I've never met anyone who honestly said differently. Cigarettes never changed. They always were and still are perfectly horrible things. It's only a mistaken perception - one that nicotine helped form - that has you believing that they are any good. It was the things surrounding smoking that were 'good', and cigarettes only stole credit in your mind. It is an error. Stop believing and you will end the desires/urges/cravings. That's the only way they can form.