Genecanuck

Rapper's Delight (Long Version) Sugarhill Gang

Not one puff or nicotine patch ever!

Aardwolf

Hold on for a second. Quitnet Repost, February 11, 2004. From Peter_is_in on 2/11/2004 8:37:50 PM . . . just hold on to your quit for one more second, then one more minute, and then one more hour . . . . Can you make it one more hour? . . . just another hour to be smoke free? If you're having problems keeping your quit or struggling with it, then maybe just take it one hour at a time. And even one minute at a time. There are some who make the battle to quit way too large in their mind. They look at others who are quit for a long time and can't imagine getting that far themselves. The problem with making the picture of quitting too big is that it becomes overwhelming for some. Quitting is about not having a smoke now and not having one when you get the next craving. Take it one step at a time and before you know it you will be making huge leaps. The thoughts of how long you are quit should only be reserved for retrospect and not for planning ahead. It is great to say that you have been quit for one week, one month, one year. But when you start your quit, to say you have quit for one hour, one day . . . are victories to cherish in themselves. So be glad in what you have accomplished. After all, one less smoke, is a celebration by itself. So, one more hour . . . okay? Peter www.listrite.com/Breakaway D81

Good morning. Yesterday, I had a very stressful day at work. I felt lots of pressure. I worked through it and when I got home last night, and settled in to watch tv with parter. And at some point, he went out to smoke on our deck. And then that stinking thinking thought emerged... I could have just one. Or how come he gets to smoke and I can't smoke? Wow. A lot of stinking thinking. Why was I feeling like I was missing anything? Why was I romancing that smoke in the moment? I challenged it in the moment and told myself that smoking was off the table. But... I still have recovery work to do if I think in any instance that smoking has anything to do with relaxing, or dealing with stress or causing any pleasure, satisfaction, fun or relaxation. I simply DO NOT GIVE MY FUTURE SELF ANY PERMISSION to smoke or use the patch to deal with any of life's normal trials or tribulations. Thans for listening. Keep your quit. Gene

Wild Thing: Tone-Lōc - Topic

Hello again @Breath-of-Power .. here is another perspective on Indiginous peoples relationship with tobacco and how misusing tobacco causes addiction... and the pathway to re-establish a healthy relationship with tobacco. Just some food for thought: https://tobaccowise.cancercareontario.ca/en/first-nations#:~:text=The person who wishes to,use in the wrong manner. And here is a quote form the this Indigenous Tobacco Program that describes their approach to help people deal with the negative impacts of commercial tobacco. Note the use of the word "Commercial Tobacco" ..... "Our work focuses on respectfully informing First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities and individuals about the negative health impacts of commercial tobacco. We use positive approaches to addressing post-colonial tobacco use and work with communities to help raise awareness of the risks of commercial tobacco and the dangers of the tobacco industries’ targeted marketing campaigns, particularly to youth".

Hello @Breath-of-Power.... I hope you are doing ok and finding a way to keep yourself motivated to keep your quit. One thought I had when I read some of your posts was that you were struggling. Struggling with the rational side of your brain that still wanted to keep your quit. But I also saw you start to give yourself permission to smoke again before you actually started smoking. I know that internal argument because I have been there. That is when a relapse really begins. When you start to dismiss other rational arguments that you are no different than any other person who has managed to quit. That somehow, it is harder for you than all other smokers or quitters. That somehow, the natural laws of addiction and the quitting process do not apply to you. That your pain and suffering is different than all other smokers and quitters. But I also saw you stick with the Quittrain and keep the conversation going with people who were trying to support you. In my mind, that is evidence that your desire to stop smoking again was stronger than your irrational brain that was trying to give you permission to smoke. Please take a step back @Breath-of-Power.... and examine your reasons for wanting to stop smoking in the first place. That is where you will get your mojo back to jump right back on the Quittrain and get your quit back on track.

Not one puff or nicotine patch ever!!

C+C Music Factory Gonna Make You Sweat 1990

@Doreensfree... how did I miss this thread? Congrats to a wonderful lady. I really appreciate all that you do here to support others.

Not one puff or nicotine patch ever

Welcome back @NoMore2024 ..... I have been exactly where you are right now. I was also a serial quitter and serial nicotine patch user. I also remember long quits where I almost forgot about smoking and BANG.... I allowed myself to succumb to smoking triggers. Which was really a sign that I was not paying attention to all those reasons I was using in the first place.... when I was hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Or even when I was having fun and thought that smoking would enhance pleasure. That feeling that something is missing. Now I know that one too. That could be you experiencing nicotine leaving your system and your body trying to find a new equilibrium without nicotine. Or its the mistaken thinking that any life experience needs to have nicotine involved to make you feel ok. In either case, that is a MISTAKE. Non-Smokers and people who do not vape or use nicotine do not need nicotine to make anything in life better. If you allow that feeling just to be, over time, those neuropathways in your brain will re-wire. @NoMore2024. Let’s both make this our forever quits. You've got this

Not one puff or nicotine patch ever!

Not one puff or Nicotine Patch Ever!

This is brilliant.

Thank you @jillar... this is an importnat message for me. Yes, I was a serial quitter in the past and then I became a serial nicotine patch user. I am not making any grandiose statements about where I am going but I want this to be my forever quit - nicotine free. And I I will do this one day at a time. Awesome post. Thank you. Gene

Hi, Not sure what happened to Friday October 25th... But NOPE to today and NOPE and no patches on October 26th.

@jillar... I am sorry for your loss. Hugs

1000 days ... and on ... GAELthoughts, Quitnet Re-Post, August 3, 2005 From The_GAEL on 8/3/2005 3:05:47 PM It's a funny thing, this addiction. It starts with the most social of behaviors - just sharing some time and a chat with friends, and 'lighting up' as we used to say. Usually, a beer in one hand and cig in the other, feeling grown up and mature at - what was it - 15, 16 years old... In those days, it was usual to offer your cigarettes around the group, and in turn, accept one offered back - part of the bonding process, I guess, being accepted into the group. And so the seed was planted. Later it became less of an event, not something done when the evening arrived and a little relaxation was the prize for the day's labors and stresses, but it was a persistent nag, somewhere in the psyche to get away, to stop what I was doing, to halt the concentration and focus on the task at hand, and... light a cigarette. It wasn’t yet the constant companion that soon it would be, but it was definitely exerting pressure - selfish and vile - to have its hand on my shoulder and its lies whispered in my ears... that was coming, but I never saw it. And so it took root. In time though, smoking was always with me. Always had a pack in my pocket and another in my car. Soon I was buying 2-3 packs at a time and then - self delusional and totally hoodwinked - I was buying cartons to save money. If I got below half a carton in my stock, I'd buy another carton; just to be sure I had plenty on hand. And I still never saw that I was addicted, and I was not choosing to smoke - my free will was totally ineffective - I had no choice - I had to smoke - and I was blind to the strength and power of the addiction - it was that good in its power over me. And so, the evil infestation grew and thrived on my withering self-determination. Later it was clear that there was no rationality in smoking - not one - all I had believed was self-delusional. The financial cost, the disgusting smell, the morning cough to get the brown-green mucus out of my lungs, the lack of taste in any food, the difficulty I had in climbing stairs or carrying any load, the fact that that I was controlled by the need to inhale the smoke of a toxic weed, the very fact that I was killing myself... I was causing the acceleration my own death... the very end of my life... But I still didn't get it. It was still a pleasure, I told myself, one of the few I have left... even after I had seen my mother die of it, and aunts and uncles, one favorite with a tracheotomy after his larynx was removed due to throat cancer. My blindness was complete - oh, no, not me, I'll prove them all wrong, and live to be 100... But, it's all crap. The blindfold had to come off. For me, that happened just over 1000 days ago. I've told of the events that led up to it, and just beyond it many times - it's still in my profile, and I stand behind all of the words I wrote there, even though much of it is almost 3 years old. It wasn't easy. It wasn't the first attempt, or third or... I don't even know how many times. But it was the last. I had a quit in me, and I invested in it... I cleared the weeds and found a spot to plant a flower. It's a fragile thing, a single flower, and needs care and close attention. It needs the weeds to be kept well back, and it needs love and a gentle hand, but it has one purpose - to thrive. And it will thrive, and grow strong, and flower and gain strength with each passing season. I used to say Strength, Courage and Determination was pretty much all that was needed. I now believe that these are part of it - a very strong conviction that you are making the single very best decision to improve your life, followed by the courage to accept that decision and act on it, and the determination to hold fast to your commitment to yourself. The missing part - was to recognize the importance of doing this alongside others, and in the supportive company of friends. I don't think I've ever thanked the friends I've made here at the Q, and in 1102, nearly enough. Without your support, whether you knew it or not, I would not have been smokefree these last 1000 days. Thank you, for my life. ________________The GAEL 1006 days, 13 hours, 5 minutes and 13 seconds smoke free. 24157 cigarettes not smoked. $4,225.20 and 6 months, 4 days, 12 hours of your life saved. Your quit date: 11/1/2002 1:00:00 AM

HI @MLMR .... just checking in to see how you are doing. How are things going?

@Sazerac ... Congratulations on moving into your 11th year, smoke free, nicotine free!!! You were one of the people that reached out to offer support to me when I first joined this site a few years ago.... and I am grateful for that! I did not quit at the time but you were the reason I decided to come back to the Quittrain when I was ready to not only stop smoking but stop the nicotine patch.:) I am happy to hear that you have been able to apply the lessons leared about addictions to other areas of your life. I sincerely hope you are finding some relief from your other health challenges. Wishing you all the best. Thank you for being here for so many newbies in the past. Warm Regards, Gene

Not one puff or Nicotine patch EVER!