Still winning

Now's not the time to celebrate how much money I just saved waiting till today to buy then... *backs away whistling* (Shhhh round one shopping complete, round two this evening hee hee, saved £30 off pressies I was going to buy already, hee hee)

Aha my friend, the old "holiday trigger"!! Combined with your anger stage of the quit (against yourself now). Let me explain. Early doors, you were angry at the companies (tobacco, nrt, makers of champix, whoever) and other people were getting on your nerves. All normal. Now you're mad that you haven't just "got over it already" because you have been so good and solid about this quit. All things pass sweetheart, good and bad, always!! If it helps I did the holiday one myself, my mum bought cigs at the airport...apparently killing yourself physically and finacially is a sound holiday plan?!?! That's the reality. It's a big trigger cause you haven't faced this one before. I want to be honest I was plodding around busch gardens in florida, amazing place, going "nope, nope, nope" over and over. I didn't know whether to hi five the smokers in the face as I passed them or just grab their cig and run lol. It's ok, just know it for what it is. This is not a craving, this needs acknowledging that yes, you would have smoked here, but you don't smoke anymore, nope! Just keep doing it. It will stick if you go into repeat mode I promise!!! xx

Hi Jen, Pleased to see you back. It's the thing isn't it, once you have any length of quit in the bag you know it can be done. It kinda niggles around your smokers brain until you bury it deep again or quit again..Think you picked the better choice!! Looking forward to Decemeber for you Jen. xx

I am obviously far enough on in my quit toexpect some new triggers but not be afraid of them. I wanted to share some advice I was given. If you believe, in your heart that you will make it through, then you absolutely will!! I was around smokers full time when I first quit. My mum smoked 60 per day and my fella 20 per day, both smoked in the house (kitchen/diner only) but still in the house. When I really struggled I would watch them smoke, like study watch them. They absolutely didn't look blissful and relaxed, I made sure to notice. I would wait for the "catch" and the "cough" that followed. I didn't miss that at all!! When it got too hard and I was too tempted I would run away to bed!! Bit pissed off truth be told that I was missing out but living to fight another non smoking day! It was absolutely worth it. The rest is history of course. My man quit, my mum has a somewhat sketchy quit but 1 or 2 cigs a day on odd days rather then 60 and others around me have quit or are trying. You can lead that too!! Be the inspiration. I always say it but now I really believe this, there is nothing to fear but fear itself. Hugs and strength Kristin. x

What like really real :) But yes! There was a whole selection of self beliefs and general perceptions that turned out to be more covering up. Once I believed I couldcope with anything emotional or mental (belief having come from quitting) it became apparent that I had been hiding behind being a smoker almost. It was quite liberating and hard work all at once :)

They are so horrid aren't they, sorry you've had one like that. I once woke crying!! It was then I kinda thought, I wonder if this is my inner brains way of reminding myself how badly I DONT want to be that smoker! We get all this talk about the nicodemon part, but what if there's like a self preservation part too fighting to remind us not to do it. That cheered me up and that my quit was still intact. It's a journey isn't it, we are losing the bad parts and finding all new improved parts of ourselves. That makes the dreams rubbish but bearable I think. xx

Happy thanksgiving to america. I'm thankful for sales. NOPE

10 months buddy - I do believe this gives us an El Bandito world record!! I knew this guy once ya know, threw himself off at 9 months, twice, can you adam and eve it!!! Serious bit - you're a bit amazing!! Your quit has inspired many and kept others smiling through the journey. My bit - I still tell friends of this crazy guy, occasionally in a skirt who called me a dopey tart and that I laughed. Thank you so much for being who you are. There isn't any vocabulary that would cover off the gratitude i feel at sharing your journey and accepting your support with mine. I know it's easier because you're here. 60 sleeps till the big one!! xx

I am so incredibly pleased for you at this 9 months mark. I hope things are feeling calmer for you, sounded like you need to catch a break. Congrats on this 3/4 of a year!! xx

hey my fellow mid life crisis'er...this is fabulous news!! To be honest it feels like you've been quit for much longer and I really enjoy your internet company :) Massive congrats on 4 beautiful months!! xx

fabulous news on your 10 months. Helpful and inspiring quit to follow!!

nope

I would like to thank the committed shoppers amoungst you as last year this made a small appearance in England. Online shopping, surely you don't have to brave the shops to get the discounts? I am holding fire off ordering a couple of dresses until Friday based on last years victorious 20% off :)

oh nope he didn't... Practising, booked panto tickets :)

Sometimes, you watch a quit grow and it strikes a chord in you. You are like that for me Sandy, I feel every win with you - so I'm really delighted to be celebrating 4 months of freedom with you!! Massive congrats and much love and support being sent. x

SorryI'm late!! Utterly delighted for you my friend!! Half a year, massive congrats!! xx

I see a post, what motivated you to quit. I can't answer it there, I'm pretty ashamed. It should have been my beloved uncle's lung cancer but it wasn't (one sister quit then, both his sons still smoke!). It should have been cervical cancer, I chose denial. It could have been my Mums COPD diagnosis, but no. It was my 8 year old baby telling me she was scared and me finally imagining her living my life as a carer to my mum - oh hell no you don't!! It started a quit journey of almost a year (july to march) of relapses and varying smoking types, ie social, weekend, evening etc. Counting - I simply hate the winter. The cold does nothing for me, why on earth did I get born in england and why do I love it so much I never chose to leave. Meh! So I am counting!! 27 days to winter solstice . 31 days to christmas for the babies. 64 days to my daughters 5th birthday and my quit buddies 1 year anniversary. It's how I make it through winter, to focus on the next things that will be wonderful...I count my way through the season. Edgy, I would love this to mean my fashion sense!! Nope, I am on edge. Life is doing it's tricky thing. There are a ton of good things happening. The rational part of me reminds myself of this. There is some utter tripe going down too. I keep looking to the quit as the problem but if I'm honest, it's not. The quit has been safe and secure this time from the word go - the problem is I let my mind travel when I get upset and I'm getting upset more often due to circumstance. I'm writing this down so it comes out of my head. It has already done what it needed to do as I can read lots of things get on my nerves. I am well, my plans are healthy and focused. I am just a bit jumpy I guess. Yeah, edgy.

No disaster, an absolute win in the making here chick. Your quit will more then likely inspire others in your group to try! How fantastic would that be to pave the path for them to follow. I'm sorry about the photos, I am, that's a toughie. But it's not worth harming yourself today..bet next years photo's are mostly inside!! You are doing great. Don't set yourself for a fall, there is so much fantastic to follow this quit for you!! xx

nope.

Bobby, your son will cope just fine Gabby, as will you. Parents...sometimes they are a tough breed hey!! It's all about balance babe, be the normal and he will do just fine. x

Ah Gabby, you can't fix the world my love, nor can you stop a child (no matter how old) looking after an ungrateful parent (trust me, I am experienced!!!). Bob will cope just fine and he won't appreciate being the reason you threw yourself off the proverbial cliff, DON't DO IT!! It's what, 11am there. Go and walk this shit off Gabby. You have an example to set if nothing else. More then that, I adore you and your quit. I know how hard you fought for this, I helped in the early days and smoking is just so pants mate. No matter our addiction side, we know it just sucks to be "that" smoker and we are setting an example etc. Hold on baby girl!! x

Gabby, messaged you. Some days are tough chick. Smoking never fixed a damn thing. It only gives us a new health hazardous problem.Aww baby girl. Just breath through it. You'll be cool. xx

What an amazing accomplishment!! For all the ups and downs in this quitting malarky you've kept yourself real. It's made it easier for those of us following behind your timelines to watch and be supported from an amazing lady. I love your drunk posts the best :) Massive congrats to you chick, I will raise a glass for you later! xx

nope.