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im LOVING this site! i check in a few times a day and someone has always left an encouraging comment etc and it just spurs me on. so far im on day 4 and im doing cold turkey< so far it dont really feel like that! to be able to even just get this far feels amazing! i know its only 4 days, i know i have a long way to go, but im celebrating EVERY min that passes cos thats money i have saved, some of my life expectancy is improving and i dont smell like an ashtray everytime my daughter wants a hug! inside im having a party and i cant stop smiling! there is sooo much more to quitting than just money and physical health, its great for your mental health too!

Good Good day today, feel refreshed, feel alive and feel happy, if anyone is interested you can see my facebook page and check out the post my darling OH posted of me today, singing unawares LOL!. I still can't believe I stirred the pot, I boiled up a big black cauldron, I added some insecurity, stress, a sprinkle of doubt, two tablespoons of sleepless nights, and a pinch of a notion, as I stirred the notion grew and grew, it bubbled, it got hotter, I could smell the potion and I wanted to taste it, baaaaad mistake, should of taken the pot off the boil at that point and walked away from it, but no not me the recipe enticed me a little more, so I threw in some more insecurity and some doubt, and just to be on the safe side a huge big spoonful of notion, and before I knew it I tasted my potion, bleurgggh was my initial reaction but then BOOM my taste buds were awakened, I knew I should have tipped the damn stuff away. So next time a notion comes into my head, damn well not taking the cauldron out its staying where it is and I am riding this train to a different kitchen........

Great blog, Sazerac. You know, I wonder... Many people have said that one of the most important "benefits" of smoking is that it allowed them some distance from their emotions. Whenever they felt some strong emotion, the few minutes required to step outside, find, light and savor a cigarette gave them time to process those emotions and choose how to react. The rituals of smoking are also calming. Many people say that they feel emotions more strongly after quitting than before. Negative emotions, of course, but also positive emotions. Sort of like--when they feel bad they feel very, very bad. But when they feel good they feel GREAT!! For anyone involved in a creative pursuit where you have to reach down inside yourself and express your emotions for the world to see, I suspect that quitting smoking (or any other type of drug) will really throw a monkey wrench into your work for a while. You probably will have to push your way through it, force yourself to work when you are not feeling "comfortable" or "normal". Eventually you will get used to your new normal and you will be able to work easily again. I bet that your work product will be a little different than it was when you were smoking, and maybe that will be a good thing.

It's a great gift you give yourself.

I like I like. when I hit the like button this pops up "an error occurred (in orange) there was a problem storing your reputation vote" my reputation is shot to hell anyway, tee hee hee. But, back to the good biz at hand....so inspired watching your journey, Sammie. Very, very cool.

Thinking of you and your family Chrys. Shout up when you need to, we will be here for you. x

It's tough and I "get it". I took a prop (for me a crystal but you could use anything that feels right to you) to kinda balance me out - maybe try that? It helped to read it only takes 28 days of doing something to make it your new thing so it can be fixed quite quickly. x

Brilliant news Sam! x

Way to go, Sammie! One day at a time, one hour at a time If you have to. But every single day now it will start to get better and better. I promise!

I'm really glad you joined us - us October quitters have got to stick together! I've got your back!

You are free, maybe you will see what your new better normal is on canvas. I bet you will like getting to know it.