DenaliBlues

Hi @Brioski. I, too, often hesitate to speak of my quit in terms of absolutes. Not because part of me is secretly planning to start smoking again. But because of the long shadow of lost quits in my past. I still have that failure stuck to my shoe. Also, my identity as a nonsmoker isn’t grown up yet. But despite all my caveats, this quit is the real deal! Like you said, @Slow progress, “…I won’t because I’m not going through this again!” In a colossal irony, my having a really rugged quit - all my misery and the cravings and the messy process of coming to terms with addiction - have sort of saved me from myself. If quitting were easier for me, I might not perceive the cost of relapse to be so daunting. But because quitting is terribly tough, I’ll be damned if I am going to throw all that hard work away. My freedom is hard earned, and I’m gonna guard it like a momma bear! And until I have a more comfortable identity as a nonsmoker, I’ll wholly embrace my identity as a QUITTER. A subtle difference, perhaps. But a distinction that helps me simplify all the weird head games that addict-mind wants to play. NOPE!!

Nope

NOPE

Nice to meet you @LeapOfFaith! I’ve certainly been where you are - I imagine most of us have been. The pattern you are describing is classic addict behavior. I, too, deluded myself for years that I could regulate or moderate my smoking. Hogwash. Probably the first thing to do is get brutally honest about being an addict, and to connect with your WHY. What’s not working for you any more about smoking? How has it imprisoned you, or harmed you or others? Once that’s said aloud or put in writing, then you can find your HOW. Lots of approaches work, different strokes for different folks. I personally did the NRT route, combined with an occasion (dental procedure) that made it impossible to smoke one morning. There are lots of ways to get started. This is a great place to record your ideas and get feedback and support. We’re here for you when you take the plunge!

Happy belated mothers day. Raising me was no walk in the park, but you loved me and launched me and I'm grateful. Memory eternal, Mom.

Many congrats on your freedom!

NOPE

Attaway to give smoking the heave-ho, @Slow progress! It's good to literally and symbolically evict the ashes and stink. And good for you for focusing on the plusses: the easier breathing, the money saved, etc. There will definitely be cravings and periods of questioning... in my first months I spent a lot of time vacillating between positivity and despair. Things leveled out for me a bit more after I completed my step down from NRT. But grim determination (and a lot of pushups, cussing and house projects - LOL) got me through. Knowledge is power, and the support from folks here on the Train is priceless. You CAN kick this addiction!

NOPE

NOPE

So grateful for the Train!

NOPE, no way!

NOPE

5.

Hurrah for @Katgirl! John is a lucky fellow… and we’re lucky, too, to have you on the Train. Congrats!!

10. Take it for a walk. How about 10 things you can do with… WIRE.

paprika

told a fib

NOPE!

Once upon a time @jillar said something I will never forget… she said, “I love the smell of my shampoo but that doesn’t mean I’m going to drink it. Part of me can love the smell of tobacco but that doesn’t mean I am going to smoke it.” That really helped me! Glad to have you back, @Slow progress. You CAN do this. Everyone has different styles… sleeping a lot, exercising, snacking, shouting, crying. I did all of the above, I became sort of a ninja of self distraction. (Cleaned house a lot, LOL.) Whatever it takes to not light up today! Take it one day at a time, learn all you can about addiction (like @Brioski said), and lean on your support here. Your freedom is worth the fight!

NOPE

Yep @johnny5, I’m working from home too..