Huge congratulations to my quit buddy, Shabba, too - also celebrating a year of freedom today.
A whole year of freedom!
I am very grateful to have seen sense after 22 years, but more than that I am grateful to have the education and the mindset to know for sure that I don't want or need to smoke... to be able to trust the decision I made 375 days ago when I picked up a prescription for Champix and took the first tablet hoping for a miracle.
Of course the miracle I was hoping for never came. Champix helped me a lot, of that I have no doubt - but it was stumbling upon this place that made this quit. The advice of those people already here and winning in their battle against nicotine addiction.
That advice was quite simple really - education is what matters.
This post describes my personal moment of realisation - nosmokingday.org.uk/forum/s... . This forum, and the friends I have made here, is another thing in the long list of things that I am grateful for.
Some people will say, as I have said to others, that because I have now completed a year quit I am some kind of inspiration. After all, I look up to others who have been quit for a long time and use them as my inspiration. However, apart from knowing my own addiction and the reasons why I smoked there is only one difference between me now and me on day 1....
That difference? Practice.
At first, the same as anything else you don't know how to do, not smoking comes hard for a nicotine addict. We crave hard and it's really difficult to get past each one. As each day goes past it gets just a little easier.... It's to do with association - and as smokers, almost everything we do is associated with smoking.... and as you deal with each one, it gets easier next time.
The problem comes when you think you have it licked. Day to day life is easy. It feels great, you feel fitter and it is starting to get hard to even remember smoking at times (those in the first couple of months won't believe that, but it's true!). Then, all of a sudden and without warning, you encounter a situation which you haven't dealt with as a non smoker before and it's really hard again - you don't think you can do it, and you don't even know why.
However, if you choose not to smoke to each and every situation, whether it's on day 1 or day 301, the next time you encounter that situation it will be a bit easier.
Eventually, after repeatedly making a conscious effort not to smoke over and over again, you will not be surprised to learn that it starts to become automatic. Like riding a bike or driving a car.... you know how to do it without
concentrating on it.
Me, you, all those who still smoke can quit and stay quit - there is no one who can't. All you have to do is want to badly enough to invest the time and effort to learn. And to invest the time and effort to refuse to smoke in response to each trigger in the certain knowledge that it will be easier next time.
For the first few months of my quit, I always added the following line to all of my milestone celebration posts....
*Does a little dance*
This was picked up on and I was bullied (by NicFirth - the evil little man!) into agreeing that when I celebrated 1 year clean, 365 days with not a single puff I would video my little dance and put it on the internet for all to see. I hope you're not expecting much.... if you are, you will be dissapointed!
*Does a little dance*
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Ooooo.... I get to be the first to congratulate you, Stuart!! And the best dance it was, too..... what a dance Congratulations Stuart...... welcome to the penthouse (whatever that means!) You have done great, you have been an inspiration, and you've beat this addiction..... Nice going, you. Enjoy this tremendously huge milestone Love, Bella!
Bloody brilliant Stuart. An achievement that we should all try to emulate, and, after reading posts from you, Nic and Tomatpots to name just a few, if we really want it, you lot prove that we can have it. I want it, and without seeming to wish my life away I'll be glad when I can do that dance (Loved you both) after my first year. Well done Stuart. David.
Bernie, David and John - thanks a lot for the replies, they mean a lot as always.
John, Stubbornness helps - but it's the education that gives you the "I will not fail" mentality, as I know you will agree.
Once you have the understanding - there is no option. There is no other choice - never another puff. That doesn't mean that it's easy - but it does mean that it feels so much more important.... and nothing worth doing is ever easy, is it?
Had to come and give you a BIG congrats from me you know you are one of my heros. Bet your mum is so proud today I would be if you was one of my sons. Lovely dance from you and your little man hes lovely. Must go grand daughter is nagging for pc. Have a great day. Love Linda. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Linda - your absolute refusal to quit quitting despite everything life could throw at you is enough inspiration for everyone. I'm really looking forward to seeing you here. Thank you.
FayRay - It's really not as hard as it seems, keep it going and you WILL get here.
Chrissie, Thanks so much. Yes, my biggest reason (amongst hundreds of very valid reasons) for quitting was helping me to celebrate. Life is really good sometimes, isn't it?
Cav... Spending time on this forum helping others was my own way of helping myself. While it felt good to have a small impact on others along the way, it was selfishness really.
But thanks anyway, it's always nice to be appreciated.
Funny you should mention money, Jase...
At 5 months, I bought a nice road bike as a reward for myself - a beautiful Aluminium and Carbon affair.
At 12 months? I just bought a nice new laptop.
And that's less than 1/2 the money I've saved by not smoking.
Stuart, Congratulation on your 1 year milestone! I never doubted that you would do it. Enjoyed your dance and your dance partner is so cute! Enjoy your victory and celebrate! Thank you for all the time and advise you have given the people of this forum. You always say it was selfish on your part, wish more people were selfish then, because your words have helped many. Thanks again. Jody
Your success is richly deserved. You've said in the past that I've at points helped you and I'm proud that I was able to help but I can assure you that you have returned the favour many times.
Kind words from you both - I found very early on that writing down how I was feeling helped me to get through the bad times and to feel good when it was going well.
Giving advice helped me by concentrating my mind on what I had to do.
It really was selfishness - but if I helped along the way, that's fantastic and I'm only too happy to have done so
Never had a doubt you'd make it to the penthouse, enjoy the view and congratulations on the 1 year of no smoking. A real achievement - ruddy well done.
Fantastic stuff Stuart. Huge congratulations on reaching the penthouse. You have been an inspiration to me and I'm sure to so many others too. just brilliant.
Many congratulations on reaching your year. I used to be on here about 2 years ago. I applaud you (loved the video) and you have a great little boy. Good luck and best wishes for the next coming year.
You really have been - and you continue to be - a real inspiration on here. You have helped loads of us with your positive and encouraging posts.
I never doubted that you'd get to the penthouse - now just make sure that you and Shabba keep the place looking tidy! There are quite a few of us following you and will soon be knocking on the door
Well done Stuart-I never doubted you would make it.
Just want to add my thanks to the rest on here-you have been a real inspiration to me and many others.
As jerry-lee says, keep the penthouse tidy now-just 22 days until I'll be ringing the bell! Actually-got any architects and/or builders in there? With the amount of quitters following in your footsteps we may need an extension very soon!
I am truly pleased for you. Thanks for all your friendly banter and inspiring posts. I am very, very, impressed with your jive too, though your son is a bit better I am afraid to report.
I came back JUST FOR YOUR DANCE never mind my own 1 year date.
Not a dissapointment at all :cool:
It's been said by others before me but really people like you and Nik really helped me though the horrible first days when I got out of hospital. Even being back on this site is emotional. I used to cry at how horrible it all was being sick and then not not having the smokes. I cannot get over how I have changed as a person in the last year I'm told.
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Congratulations Stuart...... welcome to the penthouse (whatever that means!) You have done great, you have been an inspiration, and you've beat this addiction..... Nice going, you. Enjoy this tremendously huge milestone 
Love, Bella!
