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G’day NOPE .... not anymore I don’t

NOPE

NOPE!

Nope!

NOPE...

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

Nope, I don't smoke anymore!!!

NOPE

NOPE

Nope

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

nope

NOPE!!!!!!

NOPE

He is kind of cute and actually has a blue tongue! Those things moving around my garden would spook me. I am happy with my toads!

G’day NOPE .... not anymore I don’t

I'm drinking my first cup of coffee like a shot and typing out a grocery list. I'm terribly exciting.

My experience is in line with Mona's. I don't remember any cigarette being amazing. They satisfied my addiction, that is all. "Educate yourself. Romancing smoking keeps your addiction alert, while you actually want to put it to sleep"

I regret every single cigarette. I can only hope I quit in time, before any permanent life threatening damage was done. Educate yourself. Romancing smoking keeps your addiction alert, while you actually want to put it to sleep.

NOPE....feeling rough with a bad cold. Why is it that when you stop running around and being busy, it’s a signal that being ill can now begin...atchoooooo sneeze.........bah..........

NOPE

NOPE - I don't smoke anymore.

Happy, Healthy New Year MMXX wishes. With a spanking new decade before us, I hope more people will decide they have had enough of Nicotine addiction and choose Freedom. I also hope that all quitters will build on their resolve to live nicotine free. If you are contemplating a quit, the resources below, the informative threads on the site and the gracious support from the QTrain community can help you build a forever quit. I'd like to start out with the short film of Nuggets, a profound and poignant film about addiction. and follow with our friend, Joel Spitzer's, Can You Spare An Hour And A Half To Help Save Your Life Joel's Daily Quitting Lesson Guide A few QTrain threads; 10 Ways To Effectively Use This Forum How Nicotine Works and tips and tricks that got us through the first days First Week, Nicotine Free Happy New Year MMXX, QTrain ! Toast and Drink Deep from The Bottomless Cup of NOPE (Not One Puff Ever) S

not one puff ever!!!!!

Thanks everyone, reading your responses helped me reflect and reframe the good memories I mentioned in my initial post... I realised I've been unfairly differentiating my initial cigarettes (which I had fond memories of) to the final ones (the ones I hated)... when in fact they are the same, just at different stages of addiction (experimentation vs. full addiction). Once I started to accept them as being the same, I'm now able to reframe the initially romanticised beginners stage of smoking in a more negative light - i.e. instead of seeing it as a time of freedom & experimenting, what I see now is my naive younger self falling into a trap. A mistake. Something undesirable. I believe this sets me up for a stronger quit - so thank you everyone

For what its worth, my thoughts would go something like this...1. You remember the experience not the act. 2. You were aware of the hand to mouth, and sucking in the air with the gunk into your lungs. You were not romancing the cigarette because at that stage you were not in love with the addictive substance,, you were definitely romancing the first moment when you experimented like the realization you had some sense of control over your life, little did you know that the moment the gunk entered your blood stream, that all the moments after was the monster calling you back as you said in the hope of finding that raw experience again and again, How do I know this! because it happened to me when my belief was the wrong way round.

Interesting post, Rick. I started smoking my freshman year in college and immediately thought about that when you talked about being young, listening to music, experimenting with cigarettes, etc. That was me "experimenting" with cigarettes (and other things) in college. I guess I felt cool then. Still, even at that age, I could feel negatives. I used to run cross country in high school and played a lot of basketball too. It didn't take long before I didn't have the energy or lung capacity to run or play basketball much anymore. I think I even knew that first year of smoking that I needed to stop but it was amazing how quickly the addiction, physical and mental, was taking over. Looking back, I realize how quickly that addiction took hold of me and I regret ever lighting up. Smoking is all about feeding an addiction. There are all kinds of lies we tell ourselves as smokers but that is all smoking is. A horrible and deadly addiction. There is nothing good that comes out of lighting up. It took me a while to realize that but when I did, quitting became much more worthwhile and doable. Believe me, you are missing nothing positive by quitting smoking.

Studying a photograph I took yesterday of the first early blossom on my Pink Perfection Camellia. May be next painting. Maybe big. Maybe small. Dig the reflection of the pink blossoms on the bowl to the right of the 12 o'clock leaf. That is so beautiful.

Hi everyone, I thought I'd introduce myself as a good first step in getting involved in this forum. A little bit about me I've been a smoker for 4 years now - I initially used smoking to numb the anxious moments in life (work stress, the "what am I doing with my life" moments etc.) but before I even realised, I was an addict. I tried many attempts to quit this year... but reflecting back, I don't think I really gave it my all. Two areas where I feel I should have paid more attention was : Getting educated on the specifics of smoking health issues (https://www.quittrain.com/topic/4836-can-you-spare-about-an-hour-and-a-half-to-help-to-save-your-life was eye-opening), and Getting involved with a network of quitters (like you guys) That being said, I'm ready to give quitting another go and I'm excited to do it this time together with you guys. I'm 3 days into my quit and I'm going to take it one day at a time. Thanks for running this forum, it's a godsend for those who don't have any quitters in their networks. Thanks, Rick

Welcome aboard, @Rick92! Best decision you could make to join QTrain...next to quitting smoking, of course! Read everything you can here, then read it again! Watch Joel Spitzer's videos! Educate yourself about your nicotine addiction......I smoked for 40+ years and the damage done caught up to me in Feb 2017. I survived a stroke in 2017 and a triple bypass in 2018. I consider myself one of the lucky ones now...

You are going to LOVE what quitting brings you, @Rick92. Among health and wealth benefits you will experience more and more clarity, a profound trust in yourself, replacing bravado with sincere courage and self awareness, and the acceptance of Truth, the ability to change (!) are just a few benefits that will percolate through your life. You are going to LOVE it. The gnarly bits will come and go and then be gone. Stay focused and drink deep from the cup of NOPE while you build a sturdy, impermeable quit for yourself.

Beautiful ! Won't he know the way back to delicious eggs ? I looked them up Blotched Blue-tongue Lizard They call them "Cadillac of The Reptile Kingdom"

Two years ago today, I smoked two cigarettes back to back before going to bed and said to myself, "This is it." But even I didn't REALLY believe that. Of COURSE I was going to smoke again someday - right? I always did after saying I was going to quit - usually I'd pick back up within a few days. But a statistic I had recently read haunted me. I read that if you quit by 40, 90% of the deleterious effects of smoking go away. I already missed my chance to quit at 30 and smoked for most of the decade before my 40th birthday, quitting only for my pregnancies and a few months when the kids were infants. So facing 40, growing tired of my addiction over the years - feeling like a loser leaving parties as the only smoker, worrying about coughs that crept up here and there... I had just lost my job, too, and while I wasn't the primary breadwinner and it made little difference in our finances, I didn't like the idea of spending $9 a pack (that's the American Spirit, right?) when I wasn't bringing in any money. I found this site, yakked about my impending quit date, which was set 2 weeks into the future on my 40th birthday, and was given the greatest advice I can remember receiving, which was "Why wait? If you quit now, you'll be two weeks into your quit when you turn 40? Physical withdrawal effects will be largely over." And I couldn't really argue with that. Why smoke for 2 more weeks if I'm planning to quit anyway? As we all know, I still wasn't REALLY going to quit... I was just telling myself that while my addiction patted me on the back, telling me it'd be here for me when the dust settled. The delayed quit date was just one poorly crafted excuse my addiction was feeding me. Two more weeks of smoking, with 2 more weeks of guilt and fear would most likely end in me saying "Ah, it's too hard!" and lighting up again. So instead, I ambushed my addiction that day and said "Gotcha!" to nicotine. Sneak attack. I carried the last two cigarettes in my pack for many months after I quit - at first it was JUST IN CASE! Just in case I got stuck on the highway in a traffic jam, which is one of my most anxious places. Just in case I got really mad and needed a nicotine break. I pulled them out once or twice, ready to light one up, but found other ways to cope instead. Then I just carried them as proof that they had no power over me - just some cigarettes in my purse, as inanimate as they should be. And then I finally ditched them after maybe 5-6 months, and when I did, I remember feeling triggered, thinking "I can always buy more if I want." But I haven't, because the odd craving here or there isn't even close to strong enough for me to drive the half mile to the nearest gas station for a pack. In the past two years, I have loved the compliments from my kids about how good I smell, I love never worrying about creeping coughs, I love not orchestrating my day around when I'm going to sneak off for a smoke. I love that I can tell my kids not to smoke, and it's not a "do as I say, not as I do" conversation. I love that I'm not a slave to nicotine. It feels like I've been a non-smoker for much longer than 2 years, and I still can't believe I smoked for so long.

Drinking a yoohoo

Those "amazing" cigarettes were the ones that got you addicted. That's how it works. You shouldn't romanticize them. You need to recognize them for what they were. This post reminds me of an abused spouse reminiscing over how their lover was so amazing when they first met them. There is NOTHING good about smoking. Nothing fond to remember. Just stink, filth and wasted time and money. Now cut it out and go be a non smoker!

Don't be stupid. You regret them all. You are simply unwilling/unable to admit such. When you can finally acknowledge this, you will be free and quit. Until then, you will remain a slave. EZPZ

That isn't why you got addicted Rick, the reason you and all of us got addicted was because nicotine was introduced into our system. I also romanced cigarettes early in my quit. I got jealous that others could smoke and I couldn't because of my health. But as time went on and my breathing got better, my senses awakened, I came to realize that a life without cigarettes was such a better life. You'll get there too. Keep reading our extensive collection of topics by others here who felt like you do. Use our search feature and type in romancing. You'll find post after post of others who at one time also felt that way.....

The Fallacy of Good Cigarettes from our friend, Joel Spitzer. Be sure to check out all his links, he is a valuable resource. and here is a poignant little film

Truth must be the priority. Addiction will be with us always and any romance about it must be pronounced DEAD. Root out all shards of it and replace it with truth. Our memory is not completely reliable, it often drifts into the land of dreamy dreams. For example, the memory of pain dissipates. The bliss you remember wasn't the act of smoking. The promise of youth, the sun, the music are all quite narcotic ! The smoking bit will take a less important role the more secure you are in your quit and the more knowledge you have about nicotine addiction. You are so early in your quit, it is v. smart to be alert over romance. You may find this thread helpful, Red Flags. You have plenty of time to make exceptional memories devoid of nicotine. Freedom is the best narcotic and deep clean clear breaths !

Thank you, Linda, I am glad you think it is beautiful too. It is a Camellia from my little tree, an old fashioned varietal called, 'Pink Perfection'. Usually bloom a bit later in the winter on cold and grimy days. The rest of the buds are waiting. I've painted this set up before here but, want to do another...it is also my current avatar.

That is beautiful Sally. You definitely have an eye for art. Is that a type of rose? Wish we could have flowers in the winter.

Welcome Rick and congratulations on taking back your life We have so much to do here to keep your mind busy and off the thought of smoking. From educating yourself about the addiction to socializing and having fun. You will find as much support as you need or want here

Congratulations on quitting smoking, @Rick92 ! You have made an important decision that will affect many areas of your life in v. good ways. Like all have said before me, stay close to the board. This helps keep you accountable with yourself and with people who know Exactly what you are going through. and Education ! Read until your eyes bleed and watch all the scary movies. Knowledge is essential and will help you build your successful quit. You may find this thread useful Your First Week Nicotine Free and please, let us know how you are doing, we can point you to resources that will help you on your journey. @HeatherDianne is right, it IS a journey. A journey of self discovery and a profound trust in ourselves when we stop administering poisons.

Welcome to QuitTrain, Rick. Like you, I also had several attempts at quitting smoking before I finally quit for good. Joining and getting involved in a forum like this one and educating myself about nicotine addiction is what finally helped me quit for good. I'm glad you are taking these same steps. Speaking as someone who smoked for 20 years, quitting smoking is a truly great thing to do. You will see great improvements in your life over time and it is worth any early short-term struggles you may have. Stick close to this site, educate yourself about nicotine addiction, reach out for help if you need it, and support others too. The socializing and games section of this site also offer good distraction and fun to keep your mind off of smoking. Congratulations on 3 days smoke free. You are going through the toughest part but you are doing great.

Welcome Rick you came to the right place at the right time!!! Stick very close to this forum!!!! It is imperative that you do that!!!! Read, Educate, Post just don't take another puff!!! Welcome

I am finally sitting down and my feet hurt. You would think it would be easier having the celebration at my son's home but it is still just as much work. Cooking at home and taking it all over to his home. Helping him get it all on the table and cleaned up. It was a very enjoyable and pleasant day. Now on to the new Year! My husband is retiring December 31st. I am looking forward to starting this phase of our life!!! This man has worked very hard for his family and so deserves this.

and my absolute Christmas favorite of all time