Mee

Hi Michelle. I am somewhat of a newbie working towards my 4th month. I smoked for 42 years and tried many different attempts to quit. I finally found this forum and was successful. As I look back on my journey, I ask myself why it took so long. The period of discomfort is nothing compared to the power you feel overcoming this addiction. I am glad you found your way back and hope this will by your final quit. Linda

Keep going Lilly. It gets easier every day!

I gotcha! ONE DAY AT A TIME. I'm just not used to this version of me yet. I know I will get through, especially with the help of my friends!

Well it does look pretty. We have rain, sleet and snow. Looks like they were a little off on the accumulation. Winter is not my favorite season. I like a white Christmas. so it can snow the day before and leave the day after.

We are heading into that time of year and, even though I feel confident in my quit, I am a little fearful of the holidays. They use to be such a great joy and spiritual fulfillment for me but over the last couple of years I have come to dread them. My emphasis was always on having that loving memory that was going to be left behind. What always occurred was more like one of those comedies you see at the movies. I always got through by sneaking upstairs to the bathroom and having my smoke out the window. Every year I start fresh with that hope and end with such disappointment. I know you will all tell me to go away for the holidays but I can't. I know my grand kids look forward to Grandma's homemade sticky buns and my son is single and does not have a family besides us. This might be the last year with my dad. His health is declining. No one has the perfect get together and I am sure that even though things do not go as planned, we will probably still look back and find something good about them. I know the longer I stay quit, the more powerful I become. Maybe my fear this year is that I may be too outspoken for everyone. I might just finally not put up with some peoples sh**t. Whatever, I just wanted to get this out there as we head into the holidays. You are all so great at redirecting my thoughts and helping me through. .

Hi Freedom. Wow, your story is amazing and shows how strong you are. You have been able to forge through so many battles and now you are going to successfully forge through this one. The first couple of days are the toughest and then it is just a matter of changing the way you think. I want you to know that I have battled depression, anxiety and panic attacks. I always found that the attack occurred after the stress seemed to calm down. I feel part of that is a mind game too. We may be over the stress but we keep replaying it in our mind until our body says enough. I have been on medication for this for years. You might discuss this option with your physician because your emotions are going to be all over the place while you are quitting. First, I am going to pray that your housing circumstance changes for the better and then that you and your son's health improves. Your life will automatically change for the better with quitting smoking. I am so glad you have found this forum and look forward to supporting you on this journey. You are doing great so far. Keep staying strong and you will succeed.

Nope!

Oh Lilly, I am so sorry. We all looked past the ones we lost to smoking. Ignoring reality was the only way that legitimized our continued smoking. We were all going to be the lucky ones. Fortunately we had the opportunity to see it for what it was. I am so glad you have made it through day 3. It sounds as if you have turned a corner by being able to relate so differently to the films. Your still in the tough period. Your emotions will probably be all over the place. Take care and hang tough. You are doing great!

Well Bakon, you just made my day. I have never seen this before. I see my Abby, Sammi, Saddie and Buffy.

Nope

Way to go Lilly. Just keep hanging tough. In the beginning it just seems to go so slow. That nicotine will soon be out of your system and then it is just a matter of retraining your brain. I do hope your ulcers heal soon. I am sure your physician has given you the best treatment for them. I do know how painful they are.

Some things just shouldn't be made into a chip.

I have to admit I am a fluffy. You probably figured that out right away. I can't accept anyone being a lost cause (except maybe bakon. He is either a bad boy or a dirty old man lol). I think you need all the personalities combined together for the forum to work. Sometimes it just takes the right person clicking with another person for things to work. I have great love and respect for you all because you have helped me save my life.

Relaxed with the wife almost three weeks in, you are doing great. I think I was biting my husbands head off at this point. Doing great Sailor.

Yes aren't you the one that likes those icicles on the house too? i thought you were in Texas. You were complaining it was hot last week. You must be experiencing some Ohio weather.

Welcome and so happy you found this forum. I smoked for 42 years and tried many failed attempts to quit. This forum was the only place that was successful in helping achieve that. There is so much support and guidance. I'm only 3 mos ahead of you, so we can do this together. Hang tough, the worst is really over. The rest is just retraining the mind!

Welcome Wantsit. You already have a good start on your quit. So happy you have found this forum. Great place for help and support. We are all here for you!

Making my grandma's Hungarian donut called Fank. Only make it one time a year because it is a lot of work and expensive. Always made it during the fall and we would have it with fresh apple cider. My son looks forward to me making it every year and he will be surprised when he comes to visit.

I just turned in my reward chips with my husband. I am getting new family room carpeting and this new waterproof laminate plank (that looks like wood) for my kitchen. We have needed it replaced for quite a while. How quickly the money adds up when you quit. In a few more months, I'll be able to redo the bathroom.

That is it. Why I could not quit before. I remember the doctor, at the smoking cessation clinic not even looking me in eyes and just handing me the information on smoking. I felt as if she looked down on me. I walked out of there feeling the same as I walked in. I came across this forum, while looking for ways to quit on the internet. I lurked for about a week. I finally joined and was able to quit, cold turkey. There is so much care and support here. They may be scattered throughout the globe but it is as if they reach through your computer, take your hand and lead you through this difficult journey. They understand the battle, the emotions, the self loathing and the grip this awful addiction has on you. It is true that you begin to care about these people and you don't want to let them down. I also found that helping to support others made me want to keep my quit.

Trying to find a spot on the couch! Can we tell who rules the household?

Does that have anything to do with bellybutton lint?