Reciprocity

I often wonder why I chose January 29th 2017 to quit smoking. The answer is, I have no idea. What I do know is that was the right time for me! Why was the time right? I have no clue about that either. My point is that on Jan, 29th 2017 ..... MY time was right! For whatever reason I was able to cement my quit and have so far extended it to this point. What is the right time for YOU to quit? I have no idea and you may not either but that shouldn't ever stop you from trying. This could very well be the right time for your life long quit. Don't miss that opportunity. Many remain here in this community because it gave so much to us as we crafted our quits and we want nothing more than to do the same for all of you. Whether it be your first attempt or your 4th or 5th attempt, we are here to do whatever we can to support you so gather your resolve and jump in! Nothing to lose and everything to gain

Ah yes of course I heard about all that nastiness but I just never took the time to look those places up on a map. Figured it was a country squeezed into eastern Europe there somewhere but not a clue as to it's geographic location in relationship to other countries I know better. I venture to say if I placed a world map on a wall showing only the outlines of countries, without the names, not many would be able to correctly stick a map pin in the outline of Croatia. I know I certainly wouldn't be able to which was my original point. I had to look up where Croatia was located. I see it's just east of northern Italy on the other side of the Adriatic Sea.

Apparently not?

1st is the hardest month Silver. You're through that part so take a moment to celebrate and reward yourself for all the hard work you've put in. Next is stabilizing your body and mind that is now smoke free while you refresh your resolve to stay quit! Go for it

What happened? I thought you Brits were winning early on ? I must admit. I had to look up where Croatia even is.

Sorry to hear this story tD. Sadly, you're not alone. Many others have buckled to the draw of this addiction even after long term quits. Reasons are different but really don't matter in the end. I'm sure at the time you first smoked (the family gathering) it didn't seem like a big deal but guess what? You awakened those receptors in your brain that were alive and well when you were a smoker. Enter the urges, the craves and sadly, the theft of your freedom once again. You're looking for reasons to stay quit this time? Freedom! Freedom to do what you want when you want and not be controlled by this addiction. You said it yourself: "smoking during the time I have with my son. A little 10 minutes here and there leaving the room to have a ciggie matters to him. He notices when I leave the room." You wouldn't do that if you were with him as a non-smoker right? You are no longer in control of your life my friend - the addiction is!! Freedom from being a slave to this addiction is a Biggie! Go for it tocevoD

Ahhhhh .... poor little squealer ?

^^^^

ST OO Me +1

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Congratz on being 22! Wish I was 22 again ?

Congrats on reaching the 2 month smoke free milestone kbc! You may not be out of the woods just yet but things are a lot less intense than that 1st month I bet. Be sure to reward all your hard work then push on to month 3

Hey Moom! Congrats on reaching 11 months!! Stop by and let us know how you are. Love to hear from you. Maybe you're packing your cruise clothes for next month?

It's hard for me to tell the difference between an urge and just a thought about having a smoke. I don't feel I have had any real urges or cravings to smoke in some number of months but do I still have thoughts about smoking .... yes I do. I think we always will just because we were once smokers. It will never be like you didn't ever smoke. Not possible to erase those imprints on your brain but, the longer we go without smoking, the easier it gets to manage those thoughts. When we start out in our quit we are so focused on how bad smoking is for us and how it isn't our friend and does nothing good for us but then, as our quits become more mature, those negative impressions of smoking fade somewhat and memories of how we thought smoking was so satisfying back in the day can start to creep into your brain again. Ah yeah! Maybe just one for old time sake? A couple of puffs won't hurt cuz I've been quit now for over a year so I'm no longer addicted really. I don't know how many times that very reasoning has been the cause of a relapse for a long term quitter. Allowing yourself to get into that mindset were you start romancing the cigarette even just a little is the most dangerous thing you can do after a long term quit. It's not hard at all to stay quit after awhile but it's very easy to relapse if you don't control your thoughts about smoking. Instead of thinking how we could have just one, think about how devastated you would feel immediately after having just one. That's the reality!

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