Practice makes perfect.: Now 1st - ground... - No Smoking Day

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Practice makes perfect.

NicFirth profile image
NicFirth10 Years Smoke Free
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Now 1st - ground rules for reading this thread. No I am not any where near even contemplating the mere slightest possibility of a chance of breaking my quit, so no stay strong you can do it etc this is just an observation.

I have often said we need to experience the triggers before we can expect them not to occur, in other words we have to practice not smoking. This I believe is because we have many, many years of learned behaviour to unlearn.

Due to a sudden bereavement at Christmas a long time ago I always find the run up depressing every one else is full of expectation and excitement while I'm full of unhappy memories. This is the 1st year of dealing with it without smoking. As such I am experiencing an increase in instances of yearning to smoke, I know I will not and to be honest I feel that this year has been the hardest to cope with because I am not only dealing with the low mood but also the need to reinforce my quit at the same time.

On previous track record I should be feeling happier really soon, and once Xmas is here the mood will be totally different.

My point is that while its is very rare for me to have situations where I have a strong desire to smoke that is because I have had enough practice to at them that they don't happen very often. (I keep telling Mrs F that I need more practice of not having the post "nookie" smoke but I don't think she believes me;) )

It will be very interesting to look back on this in a years time and see how I feel then.

Anyway keep not smoking.

Nic

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NicFirth profile image
NicFirth
10 Years Smoke Free
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nsd_user663_3633 profile image
nsd_user663_3633

I know exactly what you mean, I am also always low on the run up to Christmas... but I don't actually know why. Perhaps I am the reincarnation of Scrooge or something! But I always enjoy the seaon when it finally gets here.

I have a family bereavement low point in April every year, so I can relate to your feelings on that side too.

I hope it's not too bad for you, and that you have a really good Christmas when it gets here.

I do agree with you that you need to experience a trigger before you can deal with it... I think it is key that people realise that just because a trigger doesn't happen very often doesn't make it any less real. It can actually be more of a problem if it only occurs every year or 2.... simply because you haven't had to deal with it before.

nsd_user663_1733 profile image
nsd_user663_1733

Understand totaly what your saying. Its hard when they are triggers we only get once or twice a year takes more getting used to. My worse time is september when my mum past away I have failed my last two big quits just after her date. Stuppid. Hope it not to bad for you Nic Get Mrs f to keep helping with the other. HEHE.xxxxxxxx

NicFirth profile image
NicFirth10 Years Smoke Free

I hope it's not too bad for you, and that you have a really good Christmas when it gets here.

It starts to bite when we start gearing up for Xmas but its fine by the time its here its just the run up, actually the early part of the week was worse so already feeling tons better.

One thing that I'd really love to know why women expect men to understand their feeling and remember important dates but it doesn't work the other way round, Mrs F never remembers, and I've been the same for the 15 years I've known her but she just gets uptight about my lack of Xmas cheer, I've given up telling her why every flipping year!

Stop ranting Nic!

Ho Ho,

Ho Hum,

Hum Bug :D

nsd_user663_3633 profile image
nsd_user663_3633

It starts to bite when we start gearing up for Xmas but its fine by the time its here its just the run up, actually the early part of the week was worse so already feeling tons better.

One thing that I'd really love to know why women expect men to understand their feeling and remember important dates but it doesn't work the other way round, Mrs F never remembers, and I've been the same for the 15 years I've known her but she just gets uptight about my lack of Xmas cheer, I've given up telling her why every flipping year!

Stop ranting Nic!

Ho Ho,

Ho Hum,

Hum Bug :D

I always put an entry on the calendar for the middle 2 weeks of december... and the week around 15th April.

"Stuart's grumpy time"

That way she still gets mad cos she forgets, but feels guilty next time she looks at the calendar!!! A guilty woman is a sure fire way to help with that trigger you're talking about, Nic ;)

nsd_user663_3738 profile image
nsd_user663_3738

nic,,you seem to be of a very strong nature,we here know you will not fail and give in..so look christmas right in the eye,and say this is going to be the best christmas i will every have,,you have all your family round you,,and you have all of us here for you ,a bit early nic but a happy christmas and a happy new year:D,,as i say just keep the faith all the best tony

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