Still winning

No you don't, stay and talk a while. Let's talk about the 3's! Some say they are nothing. Some say they are something. For sure 3 months or there abouts led me down a path of recommiting, almost daily, that I did not want to smoke. Thoughts of my own brain trying to sabotage me! Sounds bad right? But it wasn't actually. When I thought about it, just thoughts, dumb ideas...we all have lots of dumb thoughts if we stop and think about it. So here's my question. If you plod through this, do you think there might be a little peace at the end of the tunnel? If we accept that quitting is a journey and not an event, could it be a learning phase? My answer (from where I sit which I appreciate is so different) is yes it is. Sometimes the way through the fog is just through it, a bit directionless but trusting those ahead calling you home! Don't smoke Kendra. it's a lie, it was always a lie and worse, it hurts us. If I thought it would make you feel better I would shout out to go right ahead, but the truth of it is you honestly don't need it...just to embrace this stage to move onto the next. I hope this makes sense! Much love. xx

nope

Cheri, Baby you can follow in my swearing footsteps...... When the mood takes me I can make a sailor blush...nah seriously! I make up whole new words using a collection of swears and string them together. Some I have co joined part and part to make an entire new word. I like to show my creative side in all endeavors :) So I get swearing. Absolutely, bought up around it, doesn't cause me any grief to say it or hear it. So imagine my surprise when my (now ex, but still lovely) mother in law ABHORED swearing. In an effort to conform, I stuttered over half my sentences lol. Then I had girls, daughters...and actually, I think I would be taken aback to hear them swear how I do. I mean it is debateable whether my 1st borns first word actually was "stuck"... Yikes! Made me think about it you know, like some people are having their space invaded by me (I'm not known for talking quietly) and it really does get on my tits when people invade my personal space with their smoke etc. Hmm, food for thought I said to myself. So now I like that we have a section devoted to swearing. cause what if some proper holier then thou smoker comes to the board and I turned them off getting support cause I swear like a navvy? I would actually be gutted, I hang here to help people who find themselves where I was. And yes, I too have been known to get a little bit batshizzle, especially early quit as everything was settling and I was having to adjust to some harsh realities without hiding under the fog of "taking 5 minutes" which really was code for "complete avoidance"! Talk to me anytime chick, swears an all :) But take from my thoughts what you will. No offence intended, cause I promise there's no doubt if I try and offend someone haha. I think you're doing great by the way. Good job on having a circle around you, standing strong and embracing every part of who you are to do this journey :) Much love. xx

Nice friends...do they travel :D Says a lot about you! Good job. xx

So... aren't you having a time of it. Inbetween thoughts of being batshit and thoughts of smoking...are you doing anything to acknowledge and manage these moods? Any natural endorphin lifts, looking at guided meditation (sounds like a croc, an actual brain saver!), walking in nature, practising gratitude (not the fake shiz, the wake and pick one good thing and hold it for the day). I don't often bring my weird to this non smoking forum but it sounds an awful lot like I go through when I'm ascending spiritually...if it's nonsense to you then all good but maybe have a google of spiritual awakening type symptoms? Aside from that, addiction baby - it's a bitch! It see's a milestone coming and makes a real last grab for you I think! Many off us got talked down off the ceiling around 9 months and 1 year...pissed as hell at ourself for getting back here...but it's just a phase...this too really does pass!! Oh and don't smoke...cause that would make you a dumb ass and you're not a dumb ass! Much love. x

Yeah we do get it...the I don't wanna smoke but I could smoke cause I'm really stressed.... This too will pass. That is the truest point ever given to me - feel shitty, it'll pass....feel fabulous....it'll pass! We are only ever supposed to experience the moment and move forward with new knowledge. That aside, I'll be thinking of you at that appointment. Do me a favour if you can and message me after to let me know how you're doing. Sending strength and healing for whatever sent you to the docs. xx

nope

Really excited, my puppy arrives tomorrow and he already has his own toy box, full and a cupboard of food and treats. He's a 6 month old collie cross that we have been part of rescuing from Bosnia where he was unwanted. I wanted to call him Thor but the kids have decided on Batman Dog, (the dog bit via Bella, so he doesn't confuse himself with the real Batman?!). I know the board already has a batman in the form of a horse, and a bat in the form of a train driver so I hope there's still room for another :) Roll on tomorra!! Been ages since I chased a toddler round :) x

I once lost a 364 day quit for "just one"... 14 years later I quit again and I am not giving it up for anyone or anything!! Of course our minds have that little temptress moment...same one who assures me I can totally wear a minidress at my age...all laughable lies :) There is no such thing as one..I am watching two quitters around me not quit through justifying...it's terrible to watch...just don't smoke and it seems easier!!

Being more emotional isn't a bad thing! Good, I for one think the world needs more emotional and awake people who aren't constantly hiding under something. This is a good thing, you will find a new normal, no one said it would only be 11 months? Give the freedom some tie to get comfy. Smoking doesn't change a damn thing...we grow at the rate we are supposed to at the exact time we are meant to. Much love, cause some days really suck, but smoking isn't the answer chick. It never was. xx

You wouldn't be human if in a moment of intensity your thoughts didn't waver a little to f it, I could smoke. Your quit will face down many "old habits" before it closes down, but there is nothing that can hurt you in a thought. I'm pleased you closed it down. For the man and daughter stuff, sending strength to you. Also a troublesome journey and one which your strength will guide you through. I wish you good and healthy gut instincts to help your inner strength. x

The support is offered freely and because we know and have travelled the journey, I say don't resist posting here. You never know who else would benefit from reading your words either. It helps to keep it real and get someone to virtually wrap an arm round your shoulders and say hey, you got this, you're doing great! Which you are :) Also don't ever be fooled, self love or not, that's addiction thoughts you're facing down. No need to fear them, just understand that, face them and tell them nope, or no more...whatever your thing is and calmly move forward. xx

What happened lol.

Hope all is well Michelle x

The doc said shortness of breath is not a quit symptom. Go slap him for me when you see an actual doctor and get your mind set to rest! What a muppet! There are so many lung changes as they clear, no one could possibly say for sure it wasn't connected. idiots! So anyway, yes be responsible and get it checked and I hope you feel better soon. x

Ah the one year trigger...rowly, I did that. Once upon a time I caved...felt better when I rode it out and went past it let me tell you. Bandit and I agree this point. Just ride it out Rowly, just dumb thoughts! We all have so many dumb thoughts and we don't act on them. It's our inner addict spying an opportunity! Close that addict down...cut off that dude and just keep moving. This foot, that foot. it'll pass! That's the thing of triggers, they always pass even if you just wait them out. You got this man! x

Kids :) They are the easy part!

Hiya, welcome home. Relapse sure does suck but quitting doesn't so well done on your return. x

Put on about 9lbs when I quit, it was back off within the year even with my increased love of food. I eat a lot more than when I smoked now generally but I just exercise more regularly to manage it. Start your own exercise regime, easy enough to start small and build up? x

Good, that's settled then! As you're a non smoker, you're gonna need to get a game plan together of distractions cause 3 hours means you started to obsess/romance. All things, good or bad, this too shall pass...it always passes. Pleased it's passed for you sweetie. Remember that next time, you are building a battle plan... so far you have 100% success rate in this quit!

nope.

Welcome back and congrats on 3 days. x

nope

Do you know what, life is there to be lived, not tolerated or dodged. Go be the best you and Alexa you can be, you derserve that. x

You guys have planned some lovely holidays! Patiently waiting for the american contingent to visit the shires of England! By the time you lot get your act together I won't have a spare room lol. Jokes aside, Joe, how amazing :)