Sazerac

Yay ! Kdad !! Congratulations on your first month of Freedom. Triggers and Craves will begin to lesson and be much more manageable now that you know how to conquer them ! Keep your focus, reward yourself and have some FUN !

In truth, there is NOTHING smoking can offer you other than a statistically probable ugly and painful death for you and the terror for your family witnessing your demise. Check this out also Red Flags

and some Italian housewife strippers, I found abandoned in the man cave

I have the Tardis standing by, in case a jitney is needed. It will be so useful for the after,after,after party.

Like @c9jane29, says, Rewards are SO important and I admit to really juicing up my rewards, even now, also, the boost in true self confidence. That is great, too, and made everything easier.

The hardest part, for me, was accepting that I was a Drug Addict. A veritable JUNKIE. Once I made that leap, I could no longer find comfort in Denial and truth became my motivator. Education led me to acceptance and a commitment to NOPE (as in, Not One Puff EVER NEVER EVER) Once I copped to being a bona fide nicotine addict and continued my unremitting education about smoking and nicotine addiction, I became a ferocious NOPE-er and everything got easier. See 'what is the easiest part...'

I didn't have many pre-conceived notions about quitting but, I expected it to be a real challenge and it was a personal challenge to myself as to whether I would succeed or not. I'd try it for a year and see. Once I completely accepted that I was a nicotine ADDICT, everything got easier. Education was the most important component of my quit. There was a REASON why I had craves, a reason for feeling out of sorts (i.e. homicidal, lol). The struggle disappeared once I understood the why's of my discomfort and I was able to power through. Trusting the Quit Elders here who said, "hang in there, craves don't last too long, you will feel better directly, you are getting to know the new you" also made the process easier and you know, they were right !

Ahhhh ! Drinking deep from the bottomless cup of NOPE !!!

I put the cash for a packet of smokes in a jam jar every day and gleefully watched it grow. I kept the tally on a pad of paper, in one week I had a hundred bucks !

Sometimes , I will throw something out like, 'I quit, you can quit too. It was uncomfortable for a while but, not impossible and it feels SO Good to be free' but, I really want to shake them silly and make them understand. Wow, @jillar, I didn't know about patches in the hospital. Why ? Is there any medical reason you would do that to someone in a coma ? Perfect time to quit, right ?

I decided to not use the fabric I showed here. I am wearing what I wore to her ordination. It is simple and elegant and I feel really powerful in it. I made a matching Thomas Moore had for that number. Will post a photo soon. Now I am re-configuring a black raw silk blouse, I made. Turning it into a dress.

About to run errands. Pity, I will pass one hundred bars. Then back to make a lunch for friends (basil/lemon infused baby lima bean soup, bread) and dye some raw silk for LBD (or Big Black Dress) to sew for nuptial cocktail party. Must remember rubber gloves.

Congratulations on your 11 months of freedom, Kelly

Hey Christine ! Congratulations on your first month of freedom !

Hello again Pumpkin, glad to see you again ! I am sorry you are not in a 'very good place personally right now'. Quitting smoking will change this. Quitting smoking will free you and ignite your self-confidence, believe me. You will do this, when you want to quit more than you want to smoke. You are not to worry about disappointing us. We know what quitting is like and we understand the struggle of addiction. We are here to encourage and point you in the right direction but, You must do the heavy lifting. Educate yourself on Nicotine Addiction, this will give you an essential tool and lead to a successful quit. Even if you think you know....learn again, read till your eyes bleed. There is no reason you cannot have a successful quit. Anticipate some physical discomfort and put in the effort of re-training your brain, changing your habits and you will soon be amazed of the benefits both physically and emotionally. Plus, being here you will help others along the way. Let us know how you are. It really is good to see you again, Pumpkin.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE

Congratulations on not smoking ! You have a fine quit working for you. and you pulled off your patch ? Let us know how you are feeling ! Stay vigilant and drink deep from the cup of NOPE.

Bump for the Autumn

Please remember to reward yourself !

Congratulations ! Two weeks is a fine accomplishment. It is a great gift you give yourself, Freedom ! I remember those warm winds. Warm winds and the fire danger keep everyone on edge. I lived in Cazadero for a few years, just after the Creighton Ridge fire. Stay safe.

It is a big step for you to say, "I am no longer going to make sure they have entertainment" ! and I know it isn't easy disentangling yourself. Remember your boundaries and that boundaries can change. Just because you used to do something doesn't mean you need to continue. Maybe there are more or different ways to delegate some of the responsibility you have taken on and more ways for you to nurture yourself and warm up your husbands butt, lol. I am so proud of you for quitting smoking, Linda, and the energy you give, to all of us here, is a beautiful gift.

Hello friend, I am glad you are sans parents. Perhaps you can start detaching yourself from them. Let them drive themselves to the casino. Cut back your time spent with them, maybe start with a few less hours, then a few less days. Learn to say NO. Practice saying it, little by little. No, I won't be able to do that. No, I can't do that. No, I won't do that. When they make you feel guilty, sit with your guilt. Assign a chair to be your 'guilty' chair, sit in it and go through all the reasons you feel guilty and how guilt makes you feel. Spend time with your guilt, just your guilt. Examine all the components of guilt, your guilt triggers. I think if you really study your guilt honestly you will see it for this lie that it is and will be able to put it aside as something useless to you, just like you put nicotine addiction down. You are a generous soul, Linda, and will shed the rainments of guilt in your own time. Your power is emerging and it is a beautiful sight to see. Protect yourself, like @Doreensfree said, You Are A Hero to us.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE