April 1, 20206 yr We all need our inner super woman/man now. Remember how smoking aggravated stress ? Chemically and every which way. Smoking and Stress Resources
April 1, 20206 yr Hey MLMR like Jordan said these craves creep up from time to time to the most seasoned quitters too. The beauty is at your stage of quitting that's all they are...thoughts. Easily brushed aside by doing something else to busy your mind. We all have them and with what's going on in the world it should come as no surprise that old ways of dealing with stress would surface. Check out the new forum on the virus if you need an extra reminder on why you're glad you quit. XOxo
April 1, 20206 yr MLMR, Hey, glad you're here. I have been gaining strength through your journey. Thank you!!! Chase that smokey thought away. Not one thing will look, smell, feel , be better, if you smoke. NOPE ... not sure what works for you.... (((hugs))) and more (((hugs))) Your SUPER GIRL is there dance her around, shout and declare. Stay close to these boards. I'm sure many you know from here are already connecting to you. You got this. You do not smoke, remember? repeat. ((((hugs))))
April 1, 20206 yr Hey Sweetheart.... It would only make things much worse ...you would have to risk going out ,to buy the cancer sticks ...so this would worry you more Hun !!!! Remember what I was told ...It's ok to wobble now and again ...just make sure you don't fall over ... Stay around here to keep busy ,play some games ..join in the chatting .... Don't make me hunt that frying pan out .....❤
April 3, 20206 yr Author Yes, Im still here. Been thinking what this is all about and I guess there's only one conclusion: escapism. All that I'm used to is gone all of a sudden: meeting friends, going to the pub, visiting my parents, etc. etc. etc. I work in a health care facility, and from one day to another the place has changed into a grim, still building, sort of waiting for the storm to come. While behind the scenes people and departments are preparing for a possible outbreak.. I feel hardly sufficient as professional, with all these restrictions of no direct ftf contact etc., video-calling, not being able to put arms around eachother. Its just so strange and empty. I sort of had it together, but that changed a bit after we heard our pm about the restrictions being continued at least till the end of april (and most likely longer). Its all slowly dawning on me, somehow. At first I got mad at myself for thinking about smoking. I mean, the thoughts were as vivid as in the early days. But the only thing they tell me is: take good self care these days. Its urgent. Thanks all so much for your answers, both oldies and newbies. Heartwarming. I often need a bit of thinking time, so excuse me for not answering any time sooner. P.s. please, please take care of yourselves as well. ❤️ Edited April 3, 20206 yr by MLMR
April 3, 20206 yr Remember our friend ,Cristóbal's, post, Your Quit and Your Life These are troubling times, M'Life. I can only imagine the impacts in a mental health facility, none of them kindly. All you can do is know that you are making a difference. You are making the world a kinder. more compassionate place. Please take great care. Extra precautions, mind the safety protocols and be extra kind to yourself. Virtual hugs from this corner of the sphere.
April 3, 20206 yr Great job hanging on and thinking your way through this to where it feels workable again, MLMR. The stress inside any health care facility must feel overwhelming at times and I am in awe of all of you who show up and keep things going, so thank you so very much for that. One more reason not to smoke these days would be the added stress of a hand to mouth habit during a time when we are all hyper-vigilant to what we're touching and where it has been, constantly hand washing, and trying not to put our hands near our faces -- and odd silver lining but might as well go with it.
April 3, 20206 yr MLMR, Glad your seat is still filled on the train. Knew in my gut it would be. If I am understanding your line of work, I believe just being there for people, even without the ability to touch will be useful. Being seen and heard... never a shortage of use for offering these things. Please follow through with your observation and analysis: " Take good self care these days. It's urgent." ❤️
April 30, 20206 yr Author Having entered the 4th quarter of my 2nd year I just realised how good things are between me and the C. Turkey. 😎 Life after quitting isnt persé Nirwana, because life is not like that anyway. And the more I realise that, the more I see what i've got: my health, friends and family, my hard-fought-for wisdom. What stands out for me, is the patience to be with myself when Im uneasy or in real pain, without the need to get it out of the way. Ive never really experienced that before. And I like it, friggin' good! Yihaaa, Yes!! 🥳
May 27, 20206 yr Author From and including: woensdag 22 augustus 2018 to but not including woensdag 27 mei 2020 Result: It is 644 days from the start date Or 1 year, 9 months, 5 days Or 21 months, 5 days Or... 55.641.600 seconds, 927.360 minutes, 15.456 hours, 644 days, 92 weeks. And... 176,44% of a common year (365 days)!!!
May 27, 20206 yr Awesome Sauce ! I am so glad you have shared your quit with us. You are a splendid nicotine FREE woman. S
August 9, 20206 yr Author Its been almost two years since I quit. Yet Im having frequent and vivid thoughts/memories of smoking, for the past week or so. Going to bring them to the surface, like I used to do in the beginning. Zero tolerance for intruders 💪 "Smoking would make me more easy going" - No. It would make me an active addict again, uptight and always on the lookout for my next fix. What would help right now is doing things at half speed. It really is ok. "Smoking would help me deal with the heat better". No. It would make me short of breath and stinky. What does help is drinking enough water and not. Run. Around. As. Much. As. I. Do. Take it easy!!! "I'd love to smoke and forget about what's bothering me right now". No, no and no. I know it doesnt work like that. I'd be grossed out, nautious, dizzy, pushing through anyway and feeling so crappy about myself when finding out that I was right back at where I started. What would help is talking to people I trust and finding some sort of peace in all this. Breathing. Going back to the basics. Paying attention to what needs attention. Check HALT. Connect with friends. Forgive myself for having all these nasty voices. Its hard enough as it is already. I am ok!
August 10, 20206 yr On 8/9/2020 at 1:14 AM, MLMR said: Connect with friends Hi, friend! There must be a smoking bug going around as I had a vivid smoking dream recently. Even in the dream I was scared to death that I had smoked (especially scared of getting the frying pan if I had to come back here having wasted my quit!) ...I never want to give my quit away! We've worked to hard, too much love, sweat and tears to let them go so easily! Good for you for fighting for yours!! It's good to hear you are doing well otherwise...mental health is so important, not just for quitting, but for the pursuit of happiness. Take care yourself, remember your rewards always! Even now, we still have to remember that feeling of loving the quit and the rewards bring that feeling back. I wish you so much love, happiness and glitter in those hard to reach places😉 ...like the top of the cupboard! Get your head out the gutter😝
August 11, 20206 yr Hey, M, We all have times when doubts and fears raise their ugly heads. Now, you know how to handle them. Quitting smoking has taught me and you and many others so very, very much and helped us to power our power, to take time to understand what is really going on, to quell the addict's voice, to quell the doubter's voice and to Listen to reason and kindness. Remember, you are loved. S
August 18, 20206 yr Author On 8/10/2020 at 7:24 PM, c9jane29 said: Hi, friend! There must be a smoking bug going around as I had a vivid smoking dream recently. Even in the dream I was scared to death that I had smoked (especially scared of getting the frying pan if I had to come back here having wasted my quit!) ...I never want to give my quit away! We've worked to hard, too much love, sweat and tears to let them go so easily! Good for you for fighting for yours!! It's good to hear you are doing well otherwise...mental health is so important, not just for quitting, but for the pursuit of happiness. Take care yourself, remember your rewards always! Even now, we still have to remember that feeling of loving the quit and the rewards bring that feeling back. I wish you so much love, happiness and glitter in those hard to reach places😉 ...like the top of the cupboard! Get your head out the gutter😝 Thanks, friend. 😊 So good to see you around here. And... I wish you the exact same thing, as well as a bucket of glitter on the edge of your door! Almost having my 2year feast, no way Id jeopardize my quit now (or ever again). The thoughts can be annoying, but as long as theyre just that...thoughts .. 😎
August 23, 20206 yr Author 22-08-2020: My two years milestone - yes! I guard this quit with my life. I seriously doubt if I would be able to do this once more... so, never ever again! 🙃 Life is still life, after quitting.. but living it just feels so much more sincere, somehow. Most of all I cherish breathing and not working my way towards an oxygen tank anymore. Im immensly greatful for a healthy body and seriously, not one hair on my head would purposely jeopardize that!! To anyone who fears quitting due to mental health problems: please, dont let fear guide you. Quitting helped me with developing a more healing attitude towards my struggles and its been worth it, every step of the way. Props to all of you for learning and growing, changing, helping each other and giving it your all 💪 Edited August 23, 20206 yr by MLMR
August 23, 20206 yr 3 hours ago, MLMR said: 22-08-2020: My two years milestone - yes! I guard this quit with my life. I seriously doubt if I would be able to do this once more... so, never ever again! 🙃 I feel exactly the same MLMR. Congratulations on two years of freedom! 🙃
August 24, 20206 yr MLMR, I too get those thoughts but I find they tend to come when I am down or frustrated. That little addict in me knows when I have my defences down and am self loathing. Fortunately, I am stronger than these thoughts and I want to enjoy another day of freedom!
October 2, 20205 yr Author Shoot! Two years and one month in and ... blown away by a super strong sh*tty craving. I will not give in. But heck. Like... WTF!!!! How is this even possible...?! Edited October 2, 20205 yr by MLMR
October 2, 20205 yr Your stronger than any thought Sweetheart.... That's all it is ...A memory ..... Just relax ...and remind yourself ,just how far you have come .... Normally... I would be reaching for my frying pan round about now .... But not this time ....I know and trust you won't smoke for anything ...your quit is too precious ... Come and hang round here a while ....refresh your lovely non smoking self ...❤
October 2, 20205 yr Yep, been there done that. That's why we must never become complacent! Coming here to vent was a good move and hopefully helped. 🤗
October 2, 20205 yr That sucks MLMR. Hopefully, since it's one hour since you posted you're over it by now. I guess the positive way to look at it is that the first few months you were probably having those cravings many times a day. To have to deal with it once in a blue moon is actually a blessing. I believe those out of nowhere cravings will eventually stop....they did for me 😉 Keep that great inspirational quit going!
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