2weeks today :-)

[PorkandPancakes]

Well, today is two weeks since I smoked. I've been out drinking twice, had to start learning a brand new dysfunctional computer system at work (which is not working still), delivered terribly sad news to an elderly lady with dementia and argued twice with the other half. But I haven't smoked a cig. Last night I dreamt I started rolling a cigarette. But gladly I didn't smoke it, even in my head. I'm still wondering what took me so long to get here?! I cried over those thoughts on the first 2 nights. Still, onwards and upwards. Happy Monday. Xx

[Nancy]

Two weeks is wonderful!  You are doing great!

[ChRiSpY]

Onward and upward is right.  Nothing but good stuff ahead.

 

Keep on keepin on.

[Sunnyside]

You are doing absolutely amazing all those triggers dealt with all ready

[Doreensfree]

Well done P.

Two weeks is a massive achievement....and you kept your quit...with life's curve balls....

Hugh five ...x

[joe]

Yep...getting there...

 

Well done...

 

Moving forward ,with your eye on the prize!

[Runfree]

Excellent!  Two weeks is such a great achievement.  You're there, you're in it, keep looking forward.  And acknowledge it somehow, a small trinket maybe.  

[BAT]

Congrats PaP ... Nice job.

[Tink]

Fantastic congratulations on 2 weeks!

[buMbLeB]

P&P, you're a treat to watch - congratulations on hitting two weeks! Of course there may be some trying times ahead yet, so keep your guard up always, but in the meantime you deserve a treat. I hope other lurkers are following your progress so they can see how it's done.

[PorkandPancakes]

You guys are all very kind. I worry it comes across like I'm not struggling at all with any of this and I'd hate people to think I don't get it, or understand it or feel the same as others. I think it's just my time. I have struggled, I had insomnia, im wheezy and primarily, I'm emotional. I have had a difficult time adjusting to a nicotine free brain. My hormones feel very off kilter. I'm also grieving. I grieve for the loss of my early adulthood and my late childhood. I'm angry at myself for the harm I've done. I'm working through the guilt. I used to lay in bed at night and think, "right now, right here. I'm doing nothing bad for me"

How terrible one should have to wait to be doing nothing to be doing something good for you.

So, please, for people that see me celebrating my quit and raving about not craving etc. It's still hard and it's still there. I just chose not to focus on 'I want one'. I can see people tearing their hair out arguing with themselves and part of the audio that helped me quit described That argument as being yourself having an almighty tantrum because you can't have what you want. But it's not something you want. Because if you wanted it, you'd have it and stop quitting. So you have a tantrum because you can't have what you want which is what you hope you will never have again because YOU DONT WANT IT! So, I CAN smoke. I don't WANT to. Thus, no tantrum. No want=no crave. I have triggers. I don't have cravings.

Anyway, I digress. I just wanted to explain how my quit is not easier than the next. It's just mine has gone in different direction to some others.

Happy no smoking day to everyone.

[Runfree]

We all express it differently.  One is not better or worse than the other; just different.  Some write at length on a support forum, some get on a bike and think it out, some endlessly berate a loved one  ;), etc.  

[babs609]

well done!!  2 weeks is monumental!!

 

congratulations....you are a non smoker!!  Yes!!!

[Petra]

TWO WEEKS IS AWESOME!!  GREAT JOB!!!

 

We experience quitting in different ways.  I used to hate that internal conversation that I want, but I don't want.  It never worked.  When I had that conversation in my head it resulted in failure.  Instead, like you, I chose not to focus on wanting one.

 

Success came when I told myself, "I can smoke, or not smoke.  I choose to not smoke."   That doesn't mean there weren't cravings or struggles or triggers, but I stopped the internal argument.    

[Ramona]

Major congrats on 2 weeks!!!  Well done.  I hope it STAYS breezy for you!!!  No need to defend THAT - I think we'd all pick that option if it was available to us. 

 

For me, I smoked 15 ciggs a day for nearly 16 years and (even at 1 year quit) I simply haven't learned how to be a "model non-smoker" yet.  I know I will get better and better as time goes on!

 

We all express it differently.  One is not better or worse than the other; just different.  Some write at length on a support forum, some get on a bike and think it out, some endlessly berate a loved one  ;), etc.  

 

How about "all of the above" RunFree?!?!?!?!?  My poor, poor loved ones.    :wub: :unsure:

[PorkandPancakes]

Oh goodness TEW. I am so totally in awe of you. A year down the line, I cannot even imagine. I watched my Dad battle with long quits and relapses for years. The struggles he went through. He quit 15 years ago now but he would still sometimes tell me how easy it would be to smoke just one! I think that's why I have been so afraid to quit. I was terrified that I would still be pining for smokes, 15yeats later. But that's ridiculous. See my Dad didn't have this education. He didn't reprogram his mind. He just quit cold turkey. My Mum quit in the 80's which was apparently even harder as everybody smoked, everywhere. She even quit using gradual reduction. She says she cut out her least fave cig of the day, one at a time until she was down to one a day. Then she gave that one up. I'm in awe. We have so much available to us now which means we don't have to suffer and endure for quite so long. It's an everyday battle though.

 

TEW, I think you're awesome and an inspiration. You come here, you support strangers. I've read the boards and I see you all helping newbies that skid in, some on their knees, some shrieking SOS!! Help me!!!!!, only to tear away again a week later, never to return. It must be so disheartening. So thanks to you and all the other old timers. I appreciate your support and just having a little corner of the Internet to offload my inane ramblings without upsetting anyone. I think there is no "model non smoker". We used nicotine for cheap thrills. We have to learn to function without it. I'm eating too much and struggling to recognise when I'm full. The next person may romance the smokes, the next.....you get my point..

I think "non-smoker" is good enough Xx

[Evelyn]

P&P you are doing great and yes it's a tough road with bumps but also with highs and this is one congratulations!

[Kendra]

2 weeks.  

                                  YOU ARE FREE

 

 

                             

               you have and are choosing to BE "right here, right now"  who and how you desire to BE.

 

                                                                                       thanks you so much for inspiring me.       sharing your journey on this board.

[action]

Congratulations on hitting the 2 week milestone - it's a big one! You have overcome a lot these last 2 weeks, and each time you dealt with a situation without smoking only makes you stronger. Good for you, and long may it continue (hopefully forever!) :good:

[REZ]

Two days late so congratulations on 16 days today!

 

You should be noticing some positive results, whiter teeth, craves are less and farther in between, extra energy!

 

Well done!

[bakon]

God job Pee Pee. Sounds like another name for tinkle.

 

Lots of hard work already done. Rewards are important part because nobody else is going to recognize the work