Mar-12-2014

Hello all! It's been a while. I feel bad for not being on here more frequently seeing as how I've turned to this place a couple times for support and then got busy or preoccupied and disappeared. I am still grateful for finding this place.

I used this place a lot in the very beginning because it was really nice seeing and reading about people going through the same experience. Then I realized that quitting was so much easier than I thought it was going to be. And the more times I got through an annoyance or seemingly big ordeal that caused stress without smoking the easier the next time was and I found myself not even really thinking about smoking anymore when something happened to me. Therefore, I slowly drifted away from the board.

Anyone who remembers any of my posts - I am still waiting for a different position in my company... pretty sure I upset some people, which has gotten me kind of stuck. But I'm pushing on and hoping for the best Hopefully going to have an interview or two soon so prayers/well wishes are much appreciated.

It is FINALLY almost spring and weather is warm enough for regular jogging, my reason for quitting, so I am EXTREMELY happy about that.

in other news I have seen COUNTLESS people around me quit smoking and start again, especially since the new year. I feel sad for them. Even my good friend who thought I could never make it 21 days started smoking for a few weeks and has quit again.

What I find as the number 1 reason any of these people start smoking again is because something they deem as stressful or inconveniencing happens to them. Someone says something they don't like. They are passed up for something they feel they, or really do, deserve. They got in a disagreement with someone. Something happens to them that makes them feel victimized and they reach immediately for a cigarette. Most of them even realize that it is irrational to do so but have the mentality that it doesnt matter and they will quit again in a couple days only to make a cycle out of it.

I feel bad for them, but especially with my good friend that pestered me for a year to quit it starts to frustrate me. They all will say "oh youre so much stronger than I... if i would have gotten in a wreck... if I wouldnt have gotten that job... if this or that would have happened to me I would have smoked... I would have understood if you did"

That is the MOST annoying thing I hear from people. Uh...no I am not stronger than anyone... I just don't want to smoke. I was SERIOUS when I said I didnt want to and knew that it would not help any of my external circumstances. It frustrates me to no end to hear this because they will usually say that they knew it wouldn't really help them but that they are weak. There is no strong or weak person when it comes to this. You either want to quit or you do not. If you do not REALLY want to quit you will find ANY reason to start again. Such as someone said something you didnt like. That's not you being weak.... that is you did NOT want to quit smoking.

I do not mind my friends that smoke nor pressure any of them to quit. It does not help. They all no that it is no good for them. I tell them when they ask about it that I found it easier than I thought it would be, but everyone has to choose to quit on their own. I hated when people pestered me about it and it never made me even contemplate giving it up. BUT i do no like it when a friend says that I'm so much stronger and they are weaker when they start smoking again. it has nothing to do with strength....and I think when anyone who wants to quit realizes that it makes it much easier to do so. Relapsing has nothing to do with being weak...

Anyway.... sorry for being away for so long. I shall try to check in more often

Hope everyone is well!