Reciprocity

Mentally, I quit on a Sat. about 10:30 AM when I was loading groceries into my car on a cold, damp January day. I was coughing hard and what did I do .... I pulled my cigarette pack out of my coat and lit one up. That initiated another bout of harsh coughing. Probably not the first time that had happened but for some reason, it clicked in my brain ; "You gotta quit this bullsh*t"! Next morning I had my last smoke on waking up at about 8:30 AM. I was convinced I would fail so did not tell anyone I had quit. I kept the mostly full pack of cigs I had - just in case! I have no idea how I made it through those early days. It was pretty overwhelming so I basically just became a nico-zombie! Not knowing what to do or what to think but I did know I just couldn't smoke even one or my battle would be for nothing and it was too disruptive to my entire being to have to ever go back to the place I was on that Saturday. There were a few pinnacles in those first few months where I had to really focus on what I wanted my future life to look like. I guess it was maybe 6 or 7 months in when through whatever circumstance I was in then, I just suddenly knew .... I would never smoke again. Since then, It's been pretty smooth sailing. I still think about smoking at times even though I can't imagine myself as a smoker yet I have enough respect for myself and for the fact I am a nicotine addict for life to ever consider lighting up another smoke for any reason what-so-ever! I know I have to live the rest of my life by the same principal I have done for the past couple of years - NOPE! And, that doesn't bother me in the least

Xai-Xai, Mozambique; Africa

Sorry but I'm completely lost as to where this quit is at. You are saying that you have been quit for 17 hours now?

2

Virgin, Utah; USA

🐫 Two

Yes - dreadful indeed! It's a Cat 5 storm now with winds at 185 mph (that's 300 km/hr). It's right over Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas (just north of where my friends live) Noting withstands those winds and then there's the tidal surge plus the volume of rain. This isn't good. Prayers to those in it's path 🙏

You love it really - right 🤣

+1

+1

-2 Where's D? Painting her shelf?

Those islands are pretty small places compared to the mainland and there's just no where safe for people to go unless they get off the islands and leave their homes behind and most don't do that or don't have the where-with-all to do it. I can't imagine having to go through that kind of horror on one of those islands 😮

Ooops - screwed up!

Emotions run on ultra high for quite a while as we are reshaping our lives to function comfortably as non smokers. Just don't let those emotions lead you back to smoking. Remember to put your quit first over everything else, as you clearly did this time. Learning to do that no matter what life event is unfolding will get you to where you want to be. We've all gone through similar issues and we all came out as solid non smokers. You can too!

I was just looking at that image - lol. Beat me to it!

Love your post Roark! You really have your head screwed on straight, as the saying goes - lol. Learning to create that new nonsmoker lifestyle is what takes the longest and I also believe it's where many fall by the wayside because they simply can't exist in that void for very long and don't make the effort soon enough to create a new life for themselves. You will get used to doing things you used to do as a smoker. It takes some time is all. Fighting off the cravings you get initially will make those things easier to do in future without smoking but having "new" interests to immerse yourself into is a great incentive to continue on with your smoke free life! Great stuff Roark

Great work Abby! Hope you drop by and let us know how you're doing. Celebrate today because you're two-thirds of the way to the Lido Deck - Yay!

I KNOW LT didn't want to get stuck with the win 😫 Ok, ok .... take your time @Linda Thomas. We'll be waiting for you to bear your soul to us

-3 Sometimes , it's a lonely path isn't it? 😞

-3

Thong, Kent; England

Yak (likely been used before too?)

battery pack

You're right Johnny! Attitude toward the game they play makes a huge difference to the fans who watch them play day in and day out. Talent is one thing but how you play the game speaks volumes about who you are and your value to the team; at least to the fans it does.

Yup! Nicely said J