Advice

[larklibby]

What would you do?

 

I'm 2 months into my quit - Although naturally I'm fighting against cravings (and winning) I do realise I'm still early in my quit. I'm faced with putting myself in the biggest trigger environment possible for me at the end of the month. I write and review music, i've just had my press pass through the post and i'm set to attend a festival I review each year. It's over two days - outdoors - music and beer. 

 

Do you think I'm long enough into my quit to place myself in this environment. I know everyone is different, but what would you do?

 

I'm pretty strong willed and stubborn and my gut instinct is telling me I would get through it no problems - but am I too early to face my biggest trigger or would you say just face it? If I slipped I would be devastated.

 

Any help appreciated

 

 

 

 

[babs609]

I say do it. Dive right in!

 

I'm betting not only will you get through it but you will enjoy it....its empowering and you will enjoy yourself at this festival like you never had before because you will be doing it as a free man. :)

Well done!

[Nancy]

You can do this!  Think of all the triggers you might face, and make a detailed plan how you will deal with them.  Visualize your responses until they become second nature.  Have fun!

[beacon]

I think there is good advice above. Have you been out drinking yet as a nonsmoker? How did that go? I like the idea of having a plan. For example, will you drink? Or not? Where will you hang out if not with the smokers? Can you leave if you had too? What is fun without smoking? Etc. Around three months into my quit I went to California on vacation for two weeks, including to wine country. I had a good time. I thought about smoking alot on the trip but I knew that I needed to move on with my life too as a nonsmoker....

[larklibby]

I think there is good advice above. Have you been out drinking yet as a nonsmoker? How did that go? I like the idea of having a plan. For example, will you drink? Or not? Where will you hang out if not with the smokers? Can you leave if you had too? What is fun without smoking? Etc. Around three months into my quit I went to California on vacation for two weeks, including to wine country. I had a good time. I thought about smoking alot on the trip but I knew that I needed to move on with my life too as a nonsmoker....

I have already had a drink without smoking and was fine. I think it's more of the environment trigger, plus drink, plus it's outside so smoking isn't limited to one area. I'm leaning towards going. I just didn't want to be over confident and naive with my quit. But why should something I will never do anymore stop me from doing something today. 

[BAT]

NOPE FEST 2015

 

You don't have to smoke to have a good time  :) 

[larklibby]

thanks guys, you've confirmed what I hoped and was kinda thinking  :sun_bespectacled:  Just didn't want to be a n00b about it 

[jess]

Not sure if you followed me this past weekend..My biggest fear was the marina aka boating season. Our marina is a pretty lively bunch with a lot of fun people drinkers and smokers included. This past weekend I was scared to death to go..1st time ever as a non smoker.

Best thing I did was to hit it straight on. I needed to face the demons and prove I could do it, that I was stronger than any romancing thoughts.

Much easier than I thought. Also, yesterday was my 7 month quit, my first anniversary where I thought to myself..yep...I got this.

Hope this helped, hang in there and guard that quit!

[larklibby]

Not sure if you followed me this past weekend..My biggest fear was the marina aka boating season. Our marina is a pretty lively bunch with a lot of fun people drinkers and smokers included. This past weekend I was scared to death to go..1st time ever as a non smoker.

Best thing I did was to hit it straight on. I needed to face the demons and prove I could do it, that I was stronger than any romancing thoughts.

Much easier than I thought. Also, yesterday was my 7 month quit, my first anniversary where I thought to myself..yep...I got this.

Hope this helped, hang in there and guard that quit!

Hey Jess - Yes I did and that story really does help (and well done you). I guess the concern was that I had just 2 months under my belt, should I wait until i'm a bit further down the line, rather than test it at this stage.

[jess]

At less than 3 months I was in a car accident which took the life of a cousin...it was awful, the absolute worst day of my life...still haunting. But, guess what, I didn't smoke. My point is, there is nothing no situation that can make us smoke except our own choice. Sometimes we forget this or we fear situations, get consumed by stress.

I let the thoughts of the marina scare me, question my quit, wasn't sure I could be there without a smoke.. the fear is gone. If I ever smoke, if you ever smoke it is because we choose to..a conscious effort to put that cig to our mouth, light it and puff. Yuck

[larklibby]

At less than 3 months I was in a car accident which took the life of a cousin...it was awful, the absolute worst day of my life...still haunting. But, guess what, I didn't smoke. My point is, there is nothing no situation that can make us smoke except our own choice. Sometimes we forget this or we fear situations, get consumed by stress.

I let the thoughts of the marina scare me, question my quit, wasn't sure I could be there without a smoke.. the fear is gone. If I ever smoke, if you ever smoke it is because we choose to..a conscious effort to put that cig to our mouth, light it and puff. Yuck

Agreed! I'm just making sure i'm not being too over confident with my quit, if there is some sort of guide of a safe 'line' in terms of length of quit - thanks again x

[jess]

Wish there was a guide..all I know is Bakon ' s just don't smoke. :-)

[larklibby]

LOL I mean more a guide from people further down the line in a quit - but a written guide and rules would be excellent! :lol22:  

[Still winning]

When's the festival, I'm a hippy type - take me and I'll bop you on the head if you try and smoke lol.  You wouldn't believe the amount of folks round here who will threaten harm haha. Plus Bakon calls you a windowlicker if you're ever tempted!!

 

No seriously, trust your instincts. My opinion from my experience is you have to trust yourself and live the new life you're giving yourself don't you :) Otherwise not much point in being free.

 

What festival though?  Is it televised...might I see a scouser and shout oh I know him :)

[larklibby]

Youre right I should go with my instincts which are I'll never smoke again - I'm definitely not tempted to smoke! I just don't want to mess things up (it has been known!)

 

Here is the fest - http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/  grab a camera and i'll get you in as a press photographer!

[Devil Doll]

At less than 3 months I was in a car accident which took the life of a cousin...it was awful, the absolute worst day of my life...still haunting. But, guess what, I didn't smoke. My point is, there is nothing no situation that can make us smoke except our own choice. Sometimes we forget this or we fear situations, get consumed by stress.

I let the thoughts of the marina scare me, question my quit, wasn't sure I could be there without a smoke.. the fear is gone. If I ever smoke, if you ever smoke it is because we choose to..a conscious effort to put that cig to our mouth, light it and puff. Yuck

Yes,

Yes,

YES!

Jess is 100% correct! Smoking is always a choice and no matter where you are in your quit you can conquer that choice. :)

You can do it Karl! Conquer the trigger and have a fantastic time! :)

[babs609]

i never ever ever ever want to be a window licker

[Toni]

I am just 6 weeks in my quit. I drink coffee all day and 6 weeks ago I thought there was nothing better than a cig and a cup of coffee. Coffee is still good without that cigarette. My husband and I like to go to the smoke filled casino and we still go. Smoking is never an option. I have given up cigarettes, not what I enjoy in life. Good luck and I hope you have loads of fun at the festival!

[DCCXXVII]

i never ever ever ever want to be a window licker

 

THIS... exactly babs... I never want to be that one to walk bakon's "walk of shame"

 

 

Just don't be that special little snowflake... hit that festival just don't smoke... NOPE!... I know you have got this larklibby :)

[cpk]

Karl: I was thinking, maybe if you decide to make these reviews the best you have ever written...and focus really deeply and fully on the music, and the great art being produced. I know that since quitting my senses feel "washed clean" and music sounds extremely lush and beautiful...more than ever. Shift the focus a bit, and anyway, it's such a cool thing and I wish I could get that free press pass...used to be a performance art photographer back in the day. Ride on the joy of such a cool job, and leave the smokes to others not as enlightened as you are now. Feel inspired to do some photography myself this weekend. Have fun. :yahoo:

[Doreensfree]

Hi Karl...Liverpool is the place for making sweet music....

Your a fabulous non smoker....go forth and enjoy my dear friend....xx

[Pippa]

Hey Karl - just saw this - I think you should definately go ... Your commitment to the quit is strong and experiences like this will just make it stronger :-). Also - I want to read your reviews so that means you have to go :-)

[Evelyn]

Larklibby, om my first quitday I was armed with high sugar levels and took a coca cola (lotsa sugar) at my neighbor downstair and watched her smoking battling my own junkie thinking and hugest trigger: I always came there to smoke. So YES dive in, try not to get drunk, but do not avoid beer and you stick with NOPE

[larklibby]

Thanks everyone - I shall be going and i'm going to bloody enjoy it!

[babs609]

Thanks everyone - I shall be going and i'm going to bloody enjoy it!

 

can't wait to hear all about it...you will have a blast   :)