Reciprocity

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Sausages (that one is for Doreen :) ) I know - been a tough week. Will be gone for some days coming up too. Life stuff happens whether we smoke or not - go figure :)

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That really becomes "the long game" right? Just making sure you don't do something stupid like thinking you can handle just one or two cigs then carry on with your smoke-free life.

Nerds

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In terms of a reward??? Just go with what ever you fancy and seems appropriate I guess. As far as future BLOG entries, I think I would just make an entry every week from here on. Summary of challenges faced or benefits realized. It seems to me that earlier on there are changes week to week. Later on, those changes get less pronounced I think. Maybe just post something when you realize something has changed later on? I wish I had have done a BLOG because it would have been interesting to see the progression after the fact. Things become less clear pretty quickly so writing things down is a great idea I think :)

Where I live, a large pack was about $12.50/pack when I quit in January 2017 but I know they have gone up since then so not sure where they are at just now. I do know that in Australia they are unbelievably expensive - like double what you are talking about here. Still, people smoke there. Now, that's just nuts!! Can you imagine paying over $1.00/cigarette?

Nice Work John! 7 months is solid and you are getting ever closer to that 1 year mark :)

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Hi Jimmyss :) Where you at now?

Sounds like you have learned lessons from your previous quit, which is a really big bonus in making this one permanent! This quitting thing does really strange things to our bodies. I can believe virtually anything about changes that happen which people would not think could be an effect from quitting smoking. The affects seem to vary a lot from person to person. The good news is, in the end, it all balances out eventually :)

Hi Jayhawk! Your quit sounds like my own in the early days. Pretty much went cold turkey which isn't easy but get everything out of the way as quickly as possible so nothing to address later on other than reprogramming your brain to life life comfortably as a non-smoker. Anyway, looks like you're doing great so far so hang around here and participate regularly. That's another thing that will help to make that young quit really solid for you. Look forward to seeing you quit progress :)

Hope you had a GREAT Day!

NOPE!

That's great news Jack! You are already starting to realize some benefits to quitting. It's important to keep those top of mind as you continue your battles with this addiction. Attitude plays a big role in being successful. Focusing on the positive rather than the negatives of quitting will serve you well :) Thanks for your explanation on the "Pub tick" - lol I thought that was what you meant and that also great news. You can handle anything as a nonsmoker as long as you have a plan and remain vigilant.

Truffles

SIX

I'm hoping this means you are ticking off the desire to smoke is not there when drinking at the Pub?

^^^ Yum Elderberry

Doing Great Sam :) Sounds like you've already been tested a couple of time and during the early part of your quit. That's good that you were able to make it through those issues "Smoke-Free"! Every time you win one against this addiction, you become stronger to fight the next battle. Just never become complacent and let your guard down. This addiction is sneaky like that and will know exactly when to attack you at your weakest moment. You CAN beat it though. Just use the tools you are developing now :)

I think you guys are just making stuff up -- lol Eel

2

Also, try some "deep breathing" when you feel the anxiety or the anger boiling up inside you. Even just a minute of deep breaths, in & out will relax you enough to allow you to refocus. This side effect of my quitting was one that bothered me most - having a pretty short fuse on anger for the first while.

Wow!! A big congrats to you Missdixie! 3 Months quit is very substantial. You must be really starting to enjoy the benefits of quitting now. Have a well deserved rest and treat yourself then get back to work on making your quit even stronger :)