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I posted elsewhere about when I gave up in 1997 and that reminded me of how I managed to do that way back then. It was with the help of Allen Carr's book 'Easy way to stop smoking.' What he convinced me about was that smoking isn't a pleasure, it's just pure addiction overlaid with the fantasy that it is an actual enjoyable thing to do such as eating or drinking a fine wine. This was a big moment when I realised this because smokers convince themselves that it is a bona fide, stand alone pleasure. I can't remember if this was in the book or I've thought it up but none of us would look at a glue - sniffer on the street and be jealous and think we're missing out on a pleasure. No, we'd see it for what it is, a harmful addiction to a horrible substance. That's what smoking is, nothing else. People who have never smoked don't envy those that do.

G’day NOPE and I can say that with pride!

NOPE

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOPE...

NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOPE! Happy Friday, everybody!

Nope!

In 1997 I quit for seven years and then started again. We all know it's like being an alcoholic in that one puff and we're back to square one and my story proves it. My delusional thinking when I started again went like this. My friends and I went on a mini trip to Poland so I thought that it didn't really count as real smoking because I was abroad and not at home, which would constitute real smoking obviously Of course, because it wasn't real, I would easily quit again the moment I arrived back in the UK. Oh, when I meant back in the UK I didn't include when back at Manchester airport because that's sort of still half abroad isn't it? So when I got back home I was full of good intent for a few hours but because it was still the same day as when we were in Poland, I might as well carry on just for the day and stop tomorrow as I was still sort of over there in my mind because I'd left only a few hours previously. I will definitely give up tomorrow, I told myself. Well, tomorrow took an awful long time to arrive. It arrived on the 22nd August 2019.

Darling Rogue Roo ! We miss you, where are you ? We love you SO much, @notsmokinjo S

The place just ain't the same without Ol' Ozzie Looney Bird here. Besides, I count on her to let us know what the Aussies are up to...

You know what? Ever since I quit I have only looked at people smoking with pity. Knowing they probably would like to quit, or at least have at some point, but there they stand - slaves to their addiction; still! I often wonder how many people looked at me in that light when I was a smoker? You're right though. Smoking is looked at through a different lens. That IS changing now though. You are looked upon as undesirable now if you're a smoker, at least in most circles.

A lot of us have been wondering where and what she's doing. We miss you Jo

NOPE!

I also read this great book... What jump out at me was I realized I was a addict ...me a addict ..I just thought I was a lady who deserves a reward for ...well just about anything ... This was a massive light bulb moment for me ...

Allen Carr was very instrumental in my quit as well. It help me focus on how smokers smoke because they are feeding an addiction. The book made me question if I really enjoyed the act of smoking. It is possible I did early on but I grew to hate it in my past few years as a smoker. There is a chapter in that book titled, "The Advantages of Being a Smoker" and it is a blank page. There are really no positives to smoking at all. There are a lot of positives to quitting though. Once I realized that smoking offered nothing positive for me and quitting offered a much better life, it really helped me quit for good.

I've wondered where Jo is too, hope she is ok, and comes by soon.

Yaaa.....were are you Sweetheart......come back soon ....

Yes Kate, PLEASE at least try using the air cigarette. It really did the job at getting me through the cravings. You've been at this a long time, years, so at this point it wouldn't hurt to try the clues that worked for us. I REALLY want you to succeed and I know you can. You just have to believe it too

Not today, an hour at a time. Will track my cravings on a note card, plus what I did to get through it. First one--I made healthy oatmeal and ate it. That's one for the cause of a healthier body. Each hour I get through, I will give myself a small reward. Don't know what, yet.

NOPE!

NOPE!!!

Absolutely NOPE !!!!!!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Nope

nope

NOPE!!!!!!

Wow! Congrats @beacon! Another 6 year smoke free veteran joins the 6 year club I hope you celebrate today's milestone in recognition of what an amazing accomplishment it really is!

Only quit an hour ago, but moving forward as though this is my permanent quit. I weathered the first craving by making a pot of oatmeal with goji berries, flaxseed, chia seeds, and blackstrap molasses. Ate half. Craving has past. 8:54 am. Trying to figure out how to make a running list of cravings, not separate blog entries. Tried "add a message," and now "edit." Craving 3: passed by my cup of coffee remnants on the kitchen counter; immediate craving. Came back to QT to post the craving. Now getting ready to go to health supplement store to meet up with someone my gym trainer recommended. 3:45 pm. Ran errands. Every time I stopped the car, I had a craving. I used to smoke after I got somewhere and after I parked the car at home before I went in the house. Closed my eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, ran a litany of diseases through my imagination, and marched right on. (After opening my eyes)

" Trying to figure out how to make a running list of cravings, not separate blog entries." The only way to do this is to 'edit' into your original post or post new entries down here in the comment section. This works really well for Hellkatbaby. The sooner you switch up your patterns and triggers the easier this will be, Kate. I know, easier said than done. Move your coffee cup, put it in a trigger-free zone. Take breaks and reward yourself with something, breaths...happy memory, music, dance.... Replace smokey thoughts with deep cleansing breaths, use @jillar's Air Cigarette. Distract yourself, reward yourself for every crave conquered ! You are doing important work. Stay with it for a minute, another hour, a day, a month, a year. NOPE is the mantra, just like Free Your Head. S

Thanks for sharing mighty. We are indeed addicts for life. It just becomes very easy to maintain abstinence once our quits are strongly established. the only fly in the ointment is that it is super easy to toss that all away if we ever allow junkie thinking to once again take hold in our brain. Your story illustrates this very clearly Mightyboosh! This can happen to any one of us if we get careless at some future point. Much easier to maintain than to rebuild - much easier!

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE Thinking of you @richard

I can't imagine quitting for so many years and going back. Sharing your experience makes me realize I will have to address my quit everyday. Not One Puff Ever the rest of my life.

Nope not today!

NOPE

Cost means nothing to an addict. That's why people addicted to heroin would spend money on their drug before food. That's why they would steal from their own mother or father to support their addiction. It's the same with nicotine addiction. Cost is only an annoyance - not a barrier. The money saved since I quit is nice for sure but it is NOT the number one or even number 2 benefit to quitting.

Just my thoughts for you here about the wig thing ..................... My neighbor has lung cancer and has been in treatments for the past year. She wears a wig when she goes out and I have had interactions with her both with and without her wig on. I prefer to see her without it because to me it represents the courage she has in fighting her cancer with tenacity and complete dignity. I do understand wanting a wig for when one goes out in general public when you are exposed to people you don't know or have any connection with but, I think that maybe those who know you and what you are going through might have a very different perspective. I know it inspires me when I see her in her natural state.

Congrats @NoNicChick on getting through that important 1st month where we gather all the tools we'll need to build our lifelong quits. Celebrate wildly to reward yourself for all your hard work then dive head first into month 2

We got distracted and let our guard down. We had to polish our trophy collection you know and ..... there's a lot of them

NOPE

^^^^^^^^Kate18 Glad to see you back. Keep strong, keep coming here, commit and keep focused and you can make this stick!!!!

I'm glad I have that experience as a warning against complacency. Also, at least my body had a rest for those seven years.

We must always remain cognizant of our addiction and jump on junkie thoughts Immediately before they manifest. Red Flags Complacency is idiotic. So happy you are with us, @mightyboosh ! Your experience lights the way.

NOPE

NOPE!

NOPE!

Dedicating my NOPE today to @richard in memory of his dear wife who passed from COPD. Do your lungs a favour folks quit and stay quit!

Now *there's a thought! Good idea, especially when I read the complaints online (on America's favorite online place) about various juggling ball sets. I want the kind that don't roll away. I have that kind, and spend more time searching out the balls under furniture than juggling. Thanks, Jillar, great idea.

How about Day 3 Juan? Day 2 Done was posted a day and a half ago. Let us know how you're doing please - we care stay close to your support group in the early days. It helps!

NOPE