DenaliBlues

Yes I did, for a few weeks. I used the patch for a while (until I felt it was just prolonging the withdrawal) and also nicotine lozenges (at times when I needed to manage major cravings). I tried the gum, but found the mini lozenges to work better for me.

Lewd joke told

NOPE

Hi there, Leap. It’s all too easy to overestimate the power of “readiness.” When I quit, I had lots of ambivalence about giving up smoking, and I was very afraid not just of withdrawal, but also of the grief/loss of something I enjoyed. If I had waited till I was not scared of those things or was”100%” ready I would still be smoking today! What led me to take the plunge anyway was being sick and tired of vacillating, sick of being controlled, and sick of being ashamed. I didn’t really know what quitting would be like, but I totally knew that smoking sucked! So I thought, “Why not see if I can do this?!” To my surprise, here I am, 486 days since my last smoke! The reason people share their withdrawal pains here is not because they are unbearable, but because they want to succeed. Addiction thrives in isolation and silence, it likes to be the only (distorted) voice in your head. People come here to share their struggles with craving because it helps to let off steam and it helps to get support. You can do this, Leap. It will suck for a while, but then it gets better… and you’ll have something to take pride in for the rest of your days. Leap toward that!

Stoke the fire

NOPE!

It’s NEVER too late!! A real turning point in my quit was when I started feeling fierce. I began to climb out of despair and instead got pissed that I’d let myself become an addict, furious at the purveyors of poison who hooked me, and angry about being manipulated. I became super protective of my quit. I wasn’t going to let a moment of madness rob me of my quit after all the blood, sweat and tears I’d put into it. I became annoyed at, rather than terrorized by, the cravings. Part of that shift was the short temper and “prickles” that come with quitting. (Might as well turn them to our advantage!) But I think mostly it was about turning the tables on smoking and taking my own power back. Find your own fight, Robin. You can do this!

NOPE

NOPE

Potted her plants.

NOPE

Attaway, Slow Progress! So glad you’re on the train to freedom!

What an uplifting post, Slow Progress. So great that you made it “over the hump.” The timing of that hump is unique to each person, but freedom always awaits on the other side. Woo hoo!

5. Mend a shoe sole that’s flapping around.

Woke up late.

Sure, although the farther north you go the cooler things get. It’s a land of extremes. I remember July days that were nearly 90 degrees, and also February days that were 68 below zero. Never a dull moment! And yes, it was a wonderful place to grow up. I often get homesick. But I feel blessed and lucky to have come from such a special homeland.

Aims to please.

NOPE

Hey, Sandi. Here in Maryland the smoke is still visible as a haze this evening, though it’s not as bad as it was earlier today. Many outdoor activities were canceled, air quality was “code red” (stay indoors if you have any health issues), and some people were masking up again. I grew up with wildfires in interior Alaska… lightning would strike and millions of acres would burn. But I’ve never seen this kind of smoke since moving to the east coast. Definitely hoping for some relief for our Canadian neighbors soon, and everyone else downwind!

NOPE

Crowned the king.

3. Attach a toupee.

N O P E

Congrats on 7 beautiful years of freedom!!

This is great advice @jillar… thanks!!