DenaliBlues

-16

-13

NOPE!

The first thing I'm doing today is not smoking! Other than that, I'll do a short blitz of yard work this morning (rake up some leaves and limbs blown around by a storm earlier this week) to earn myself the latitude to veg in front of the tube for the rest of the day. It's the American football playoffs here in the US. My beloved Seahawks lost yesterday. (Being a SEA fan teaches one patience.) But I can still cheer on @Mac#23's guys! It's 28 degrees F this morning and the birdbath - which the birds, squirrels, deer and foxes all use - is frozen, so I'm going gonna warm up some water and go melt things...

NOPE

Way to go, @Kerry! Congrats on two weeks. You're building a strong foundation for your quit. Glad to have you on the Train!

9.

-4

NOPE

Phew, that smells.

Romeo

4. Take a walk outside to, “blow the stink off.” (As my grandma used to say.)

Gosh, the crud is really making the rounds! Sending you get well wishes, @catlover.

So sorry you are ill and feeling skunky, @Linda. I’ve felt the same way. This wily addiction sure likes to try and strike when we are feeling low or unawares. Stay strong! Bear with me as I try to express something for you, for me, for all of us who suffer… there is something important about “comfort” that quitting requires us to reclaim. I think smoking hijacked our ability to feel comfort. Instead of receiving tender care, we received ugly toxins and the manipulative mind games that come with addiction. Smoking was much less gratifying than it was cracked up to be. But Addict Mind wants to smoke anyway. So it’s telling me (falsely) that I am bereft of all comfort. The thing is, we are not bereft. We just need to reprogram how we’re habituated, to give ourselves ACTUAL kindness and care, not crappy chemical substitutes. There are days when it feels impossible to experience being soothed without smoking. But I try. It’s a great creative challenge to find other ways. And when I simply can’t comfort myself, I benefit from attempting to give kindness or comfort to others. I have VERY happy cats since I quit… lol. Take care, dear.

NOPE

-4

Thanks, everyone! Your support has helped so much. Lido deck, here I come!

NOPE

Way to go, @Kerry!

10. Clean up a spill How about 10 things you can do with… feelings of frustration.

Boys in Blue

-15

@Kerry, glad to hear that you are going to keep your quit! Going into a situation that is a known trigger can be a trial, so have a plan for what you’ll do if a strong craving strikes. (It helps to do something physical, also have gum or mints handy.) come back here afterwards and let us know how it went. That sharing is a great reinforcement for your quit as well.

NOPE