MLMR

How are you doing, @Pumpkin?

What helped me, was knowing that feeling awfull with these dreams doesn't mean that I am close(er) to smoking or should be anymore on guard than I already am, but that I definitely made the right decision and don't want to go back and jeopardize my quit. Apparantly the actual taste of a cigarette in such a dream can be real, bc your lungs are cleaning up tar. I'm not sure though for how long thats the case. In any way these dreams can be pretty gruesome, huh?

Nope

So these moments are worth diving in to, right? Because thats where everything comes together and you make the difference (or not). And apparantly you want to and you do care for your health and wallet

So you already know a lot about quitting, good! Try to see this as a completely different quit, because it might just as well turn out like one. But do use the knowledge you gained back then. It's already in your head. Just need to freshen everything up and grow it from the start. I know you can do it, even with the anxiety. Which s*cks by the way, but it's definitely managable. How did that go back then?

Hi Pumpkin, 'wanting to do this' is the best start you can imagine. Do you also know why you want to quit? I found it helped me to write all my reasons down, even the obvious ones. To get some motivation and reality checks, when the going gets tough. Got your fruit juices and water bottles present, to speed up detoxing and balancing blood sugar? Have a good start, hang in there and take care!

Well done! And so good to celebrate what you 'lost'... it's burden you want to get rid of. And soon your perspective will shift towards the gains.

Nope

Not so sure what you mean by that, I think cigarettes are just a bunch of deadly chemicals wrapped up in paper, invented to enslave you. Did you also read that I am super happy I didn't give in?

Just a note to all the newbies and lurkers reading here.. Please don't be taken aback by reading about the intensity of cravings further along the line. Know that I am so happy to be where I am now: continuously learning how to do this. Not one single hair on my head whishes to be smoking again and I do believe yesterdays wave had nothing to do with real desire or wanting. It was more of an ugly firework of the brain, crying receptors as Jane explained so acurately and clear. And I couldnt be more happy about passing the fireworks (and not having to deal with the mental mess following lighting up...man, I would have been soo miserable right now). So please, don't hold yourself back in following through. And try to acquire strategies that you can relate to (note: I don't want to be a know-it-all. Still learning and talking to myself as well, obviously! But I think I am slowly getting there!). Now, I am going for a firm walk and afterwards I'll be having the best lemonpie in the world, give some fresh smelling hugs and probably have a laughing fit about this circus called 'quitting'! Bye

Nope

I am here, no cigs. Just came home from a very long hike along the beach, walked, ran, cried and gradually felt the wave fading. Still a bit shaky. But I survived. Grateful for this place, for you people and for everything that I learned. Though it was like I couldnt get to that knowledge, I was able to somehow hold on to it. Thanks so much for your answers and offering support. Im almost shy that I had to use this part of the board again. But so glad I did.

After all that I do, reading the whole whyquit library, trying to outsmart the thing, succeeding in that so far, 7,5 weeks in, and then bammmm, this saturday morning again. Not only craving but also panick. I don't want to smoke, I really really don't, so please brain shut up and leave me alone, I want to be at peace with my decision and not be so darn occupied with it all the time! And I definitely don't want to buy, light up, regret, be mad, smoke the whole pack and silently just never return here. Don't want to abandon myself in this. I. WON'T. DO. IT!!! Need plain muscles now and just get through the hour.

Nope

@Christa326 two months in the pocket, congratulations! Well done and from what you wrote, easier than you anticipated, right? ? So tell us, how does it feel and what did you do to celebrate this awesome kickstart?

Nope

Nice going!

@Lilly so good to visualize every conquered hour this first day! Whoáp, away with it! And don't worry about counting down till eternity... it simply won't go like that. But do enjoy the feeling! It's probably necessarry for where you're at right now

Oh wauw! Whishing you beautiful holiday moments. Smoking has no say in fun, relaxation, etc. Remember! You are going to do internal work, on both concious and unconcious levels. How awesome is that! Have fun over there

Nope

Nope @notsmokinjo thanks so much for adressing that. Maybe taking it a step further even: mental health issues may be 'useful' in quitting, knowing what it is to be in the dark and how to stay strong when the world seems so alien, knowing when reaching out is crucial.

Belated cheering ??

Wow, to me 9 months is such a loooong time! Congratulations on your achievement. Only three more to go and you'll be welcomed to the lido deck! (Don't know what that is, I keep reading about that, and thought, let's just throw it in and find out). I oredered you a very energetic band, enjoy!

I started off noping accidentely. Then the intended but cautious nope once in a while, afterwards waiting for some miracle fairy to land on my shoulder telling me everythings gonna be alright now and that I am safe in the garden of nopers. Last week it clicked. Daily noping won't save me from lighting up, daily noping will strengthen my resolve. Only me, myself and I have the responsability for lighting/not lighting up. Humble because I'm only 7 weeks in ... but uhm, I think I'm finally on to something the old sages keep repeating ?. So, I am committing to one year (and the inner voice saying ... 'You? You don't like being part of groups, you don't make commitments! What about that commitment you made as a child after that one horrible thing happened, the commitment you made to do it all by yourself?' Well. Maybe it's time to ditch that one and replace it for something new. ?

Hello T4C, congratulations for completing your first two days. You are doing just fine! What helped me through that first week was writing, reading, sleeping A LOT. I also had anxiety. I had (still do, sometimes) the mantra: 'Quitting doesnt kill me. Smoking does. I chose life.' I read that on the board and adopted it. ? Take care and just do it by the hour if that's what it takes for now.