DenaliBlues

Bucks the trend

Whereas oven roasted moths satisfy. MOTHS

7

2 Would love it to be 2 but I think it’s actually 7…

Swarming millipedes invaded lower entrance. (True story, this actually happened to us. A whole bunch of millipedes crawled under our basement door one time. It was unnerving. And a little gross.) YUCKO

Drank rum eggnog

Revved Cadillac engine

Ventriloquist

Impale

Calm Bright

Challenge flag

Bleat

Fire! Foes! Awake! (For you LOTR fans...)

5. Watch a movie

Hi, Susie. Really glad that you are reflecting on your recent experience and continuing to learn from the board. That's awesome. My own experience is that smoking is an addiction that has physical AND emotional AND ritual/habitual aspects to it. For me, withdrawal was a physical crisis, no question. Headaches, the shakes, disorientation, insomnia, agitation, weird skin stuff, brain fog, the whole gruesome enchilada. It truly sucked, but thank heavens that phase was temporary. Just like detoxing from every other chemical addiction. (Tho nicotine is more potent than many others.) It passes. Then there are the emotional and ritual/habitual aspects to tackle. These take longer to resolve, but they are far less intense than the initial withdrawal. All of which is to say that quitting requires multiple strategies to deal with different facets of the experience. Successful quitters usually need a portfolio of tactics to mix and match and alternate... things to do with our hands, our mouths, our minds, our bodies, our emotions. Staying busy is key, as is the willingness to pivot to the next tactic on your list if the one you're trying isn't currently working. Think of it as a creative challenge! At the end of the day, though, Yoda is right that the only certain way to stop smoking... is to actually stop smoking. Procrastination keeps us addicted. If I had a penny for every time I said "Next week..." or "Next month..." or "After my exams..." or "Once my dad's out of the hospital..." I'd be a very wealthy woman, and have a lot fewer health issues.

Hi, Elena. I am so very sorry to hear that you are going through a painful separation. Been there. I'm glad you posted here, to let us know what's happening and to share that you smoked. For what it's worth, a few thoughts: - Many years ago I, too, spent a long time agonizing over a partner's hurtful behavior and mean spirit. Until one day a friend looked at me in exasperation and said, "Why on earth would you still want to be with someone who treated you so badly? Good riddance to bad rubbish if you ask me!" At the time I was totally indignant that my friend would say something so insensitive. But then it hit me over the head that I could be free of the agony if I truly detached from the person who was making me suffer. I literally saw stars. And my life started to get better. Immediately. - Smoking never brought back anyone we lost. It never righted a wrong. It never filled a hole that was empty. It never healed a broken heart. All it does is make us feel lousy for smoking on top of whatever other crap we're wrestling with. The addiction knows when we're vulnerable and uses that as a moment to pounce. We have to fight back. I'm not in your shoes and would never presume to speak for your experience. But it is possible that smoking, itself, is driving - or at least intensifying - your feelings of despair. Smoking powerfully undermines a person's sense of self worth. The idea that it will somehow soothe us is a false promise. The feeling never lasts and we just end up feeling lower than before. Addiction also thrives best in isolation. So stay connected to us, and to others. Please don't give in Elena. Find your ferocity and reclaim your quit! And please be kind to yourself along the way. We're here to help.

NOPE!

Congratulation @catlover! So very happy for you - and thanks for all the support you have given to me and others!

Clobbered kvetching sticks

I can relate to what you wrote, Sandi. This Train saved my own quit many times. So grateful for all the wise, quirky, funny and real / honest people on the Train… including you!! You are living proof that quitting is tough but possible. And worth fighting for. “Who the hell wants to get those withdrawal symptoms again…?” Amen to that, sister!

N O P E

-20!

-18