c9jane29

Wondering where the party's at?? In the caboose?? Or is that only for @Doreensfree?

Yes, start again with the basics. Get yourself a quit box...fill it up with the good stuffs: water, juice, CHOCOLATE (this will give you that happy/sugar let down that mimics what you want), gum, coloring books, a plant to nurture...you know the drill. Put that box where you will see it every day, write your quit date on the outside of it because no excuses! Write out your quit list...put yourself at the top. You are important to us, Lilley. You are important to the people you love and we hate that you are stuck in the self destruct cycle. This is where I'm changing it up for you tho...every time you pass that box, you tell it something nice..."I already love you Quit." "This is it! My last Quit!" "It's you and me against the world Quit!" Speak that bad boy into existence. Give your Quit an identity that is separate from you. Name it if you have to, take care of it, grow it, love it, live it, enjoy it...it's a beautiful journey when you enjoy the ride. Get yourself some motivation music, a play list of sorts for when you're cleaning out your closets for the 5th time. We want you to succeed. You are worth it.

@reciprocity Thank you for sharing that with me. It is awful. Her friends were going in there that night before she passed smoking with her... holding the cigarette up to her lips, giggling like little girls that she could manage even a tiny puff. It was just...idk...morbid? Sickening? I'm always baffled and taken aback in those moments, speechless even (doesn't happen often) but to each their own. This is the truth of smoking tho, and that's why I post it bare and unfiltered. It's not the quitting (because you can quit) it's not the staying quit (because once you quit that's all there is)...it's not even the dying... it's the people you are leaving behind. Grandbabies with no memories of their grandparents, daughters having to have her wedding at hospital bedside because you're not going to make it home, husband's selling retirement dreams to pay for your funeral... Man. I hate cigarettes. Rejoice, rejoice in the quit! Stand strong knowing that you only truly have to do it once. If you still smoke, please know there is light at the end of the tunnel...just put out that cigarette, get on the train and ride to it, my friend!

She was a really good lady, just "could never quit" because "she loved smoking". After I quit, I secretly hated going to her house because she couldn't get outside anymore so her house smelled awful and the walls were yellow. We knew the end was close but she wouldn't go into hospice care because of Covid-19 regulations would keep her friends and family from being with her and she didn't want to die alone. We took turns, the lot of us, spending the night, having bbqs, popping by...she was loved and never alone so I'm not sad; just mad. I hope you are all well and remember to wash your hands!

She was a pistol, that's for sure. Hard as crystal, never minced her words. I loved her like my mother, her son was like my brother. Another taken too soon. From her smoky room, one cough, two cough...I hear from the door. Three cough, four... It's worse than before. Hey, friend, can you hear me? I push thru the door. We're scared as the final moments come as fluid fills her lungs ...then breaths don't come, not anymore. Hey, friend, I love you. Hey, friend, it's okay to let go. No oxygen tank to take, no wheelchair to fold, where you're going, friend, there are streets of gold. She was nothing but bones when they took her away. COPD stole her soul, Covid paid her toll. Every memory I have, there's a cigarette in her hand. It doesn't make me love her less, but it does make me mad. Her grandbabies will never know the woman I knew...a fighter, a joker, a friend always true. If I know one thing, if you don't quit, smoking will kill you too.

@Sazerac...no glitter in the new house!! I know I know!! WTF?!?!...It's killer to get out of the carpet tho. I let the kids use the rest to throw handfuls in front of the teachers cars for their teacher parade ... While I chased those ladies down with my glitter cannon shouting "Wait! You forgot your kids!!" @MLMRGood to see you, friend you smell nice... @jillarI love it here, so thank you. I hope you are feeling better and keeping yourself safe. @Boo @johnny5 @Paul723 People like you keep a place like this going. People that can look past the demons and not take other people's quits personally. I couldn't seem to do that. Addicts need good steadfast people in their lives and you guys provide that here. So, thank you for your time and dedication. @Mac#23 Thanks Just keep climbing that rope! @Doreensfree Thanks for coming from the garden to say hello...you are quite sodden, but still love you the same! Hope all is well...wash your hands, you dirty bird!!

Thanks, @Paul723! I love days like today because they are now just another day...not complacent in any way, but I am definitely comfortable in my surroundings and in my quit. Snow cones for my reward, I got the black cherry frosty (ice cream in the middle)...I crammed my spoon thru the bottom... Still delicious! Turns out I'm highly allergic to my grass...(this is not a marijuana joke) but Bermuda grass so I can't enjoy our beautiful lawn. That's okay tho...I absolutely can not complain. I can tell you... I've been to the bottom of my barrel before; that place you're sure God forgot you, and I never thought I would see this day. These amazing days that taste like a fresh peach everyday because I can wake up and bite into them! I can wake up my spirit, shine her armor and let her dragon fly! Man, did quitting smoking really do all that?...I mean...it lifted the smoke...and once the smoke was clear...I just wasn't lost any more. I say it's just another day, but low-key I really f-ing love today

((Doreen)) there are no words; only love. I send so much love and strength to you, friend...I hope you can feel it

This is what I've been up to!!! 2years quit!!! And, to celebrate?? We bought our first house!! My new beautiful home to compliment my new beautiful life! (Maybeee it wasn't because we quit (because husband is still quit too!) but it IS convenient that we closed last week...a week before my quitiversary) I love loVE LOVE my quit; I still carry it proudly and use it to encourage anyone who is still addicted to quit. They STILL don't like to hear how easy it was, but if I can just keep planting that seed... maybe one will grow. And, let me tell you, losing my phone was another spiritual experience for me as it freed my mind and heart from distraction. I feel like I am putting more time in where it matters, the kids, my husband, the house work. It made me take an honest look at me and if I filled my cigarette hole with phone addiction. I came to the conclusion that I kind of did...not intentionally, but just needing an instant fix was an addicted sign that I learned to recognize while I quit smoking. So, seeing that big red flag of NEED over my phone being gone was a sign for me to clean up my act. I honestly truly feel like a new breath of life was given to me when I chose to quit smoking...what a beautiful thing. I love you guys and I hope everyone has a glitterful day!!

"Knuckle deep inside the borderline. This may hurt a little but it's something you'll get used to. Relax. Turn away".....Fisting??

Hip! Hooray! I'm so proud of you today! I know you are proud of yourself, too!! Tell junkie brain to take the day off because you deserve some peace of mind...(some glitz to clear your thoughts) . Do something nice to day! Maybe a nice carrot salad? ? You are a wonderful, beautiful quit machine and we all can't wait to greet you on the lido in only 9 months!!

Wow! 3 years!! Congratulations BKP! I enjoy your no nonsense posts and thanks for the support you give around here! Don't forget to celebrate today!

Congrats on a big 5 years!! Amazing testimony that it can be done! Hope you remember to celebrate this wonderful milestone!

Sending glitter love for your big 5 month party!! Feel good, feel strong, feel beautiful...you are a warrior woman! Do something nice for yourself today, you have earned it!

Congratulations Joe!! 5years is an inspiration! Babies and doggies and 5 sweet years of freedom! You have alot to celebrate

@Wantsit Please continue to educate yourself on nicotine addiction...it has changed the chemisty of your brain. Sazerac gave good info above...there are scientific/medical reasons you are feeling like you are. Knowledge of the addiction takes away its power. YOU are in control of you mind, not nicotine and you need to let junkie brain know that. Don't give smoky thoughts one ounce of romance because it can easily be manipulated and trigger the rest of your receptors to activate in desperation (think of a nursery and one baby starts crying...they ALL start crying) Give a firm "NOPE! I'm a non-smoker!" Eat a small snack and move on to redirect brain activity.

I'm all for it! I wish they would take all nicotine products from stores and only be allowed to sell from age regulated "smoke shops". (I know this will never happen because the money) They just passed some regulations on Juul tho, it's a step in the right direction. https://www.engadget.com/2018/11/13/juul-stops-selling-e-cigarette-flavors-social-media-promotions/ Vape is a big thing in my small town...we have 3 churches, 2 convience type stores, McDonald's and 2 independent vape shops. Very sad "downtown" drive.

Sorry to hear this Dave! Hope they get you back up and running soon! Also thankful for your solid quit; knowing that being a non-smoker will make recovery easier (and you won't be tempted for relapse) Take it easy

Add: the most rewarding, exciting, best thing any of us could do!! Glad to hear you got back at it! Felt good, I bet! Keep it up; one day at a time!

Ah, work...that would have made the hot shower awkward? Glad to hear you feeling a bit better! Take it easy on yourself.

Don't make me get the glitter out!!

remember you are fresh off the patch; your nicotine receptors are starting to die off and getting desperate for their drugs. YOU are stronger than any nicotine memory...you want this quit!! Tell junkie brain a BIG! FAT! NOPE! Eat some chocolate, take a nice hot shower...maybe some wine too? You've got this parsley...we've watched you fight so we know you'll come out winning this battle!

Pantera--Cowboys from Hell Korn--ADIDAS/Freak on a Leash Tool--Stinkfist (If were picking our own)

Prayers for strength and peace.

Very good post!! I feel connected to everyone's quit and want to help carry their load when it gets heavy and share in their joys with each milestone! This place works. There is so much POWER here!