As of 20:00 yesterday evening I have stopped smoking for 7 months.
A fitting end to 2009 and finally I feel that a goal I've had for many years has been achieved. To stop smoking, each and every situation that I don't smoke at on the recovery journey is a tick in the box. Christmas and New Year complete, for the first time in a long time without giving in to the nico demon.
Christmas could've been challenging as surrounded by smokers but all it really made me feel was po'd cause all my clothes stank, I'd get out of the shower and my hair would stink - and I wasn't even smoking. I must've been lying to myself so much about how the perfume masked the smell.
My quit is strong, which doesn't mean I don't think about fags, I do but it's always about the idea of the *calm* that a fag provided which is a fallacy, all having a fag ever did was satisfy the nicotine addiction. So when I crave / think about fags it's generally the want for this false nirvana which is the root cause. So I'm still re-educating my brain to not have a fag as a *reward* for whatever *thing* I'm experiencing.
For all those coming up behind, it's worth it and am thinking of fags less and less - no longer a desire for them most of the time - only occasional extreme situation and I will remain vigilant when lots of booze inside me especially if there are smokers around. I remember reading in the tales by Kevin about having a certain number of quits perhaps (not advocating that this is true) but for me I don't want to ever do any day again because I'm foolish enough to believe that I'm not subject to the laws of addiction - I will always be a nicotine addict and I choose to remind myself of this fact because it keeps me strong. My method of remaining quit suits my temperament, others have their own methods, as long as we stay quit it doesn't matter how. My constant re-enforcement will probably not suit a lot of people but it keeps me quit.
Written by
nsd_user663_4847
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Constant re-inforcement and going over why you won't and don't smoke works well. Its easy to forget the later you go in your quit, and you know as do i that you can't bend the rules of nicotine addiction so the best way forward is to continually remind yourself why distancing yourself from smoking is the best place to be.
Well done on your 7th month, and indeed now we are in 2010 that you can also say you quit in the early part of last year
Christmas could've been challenging as surrounded by smokers but all it really made me feel was po'd cause all my clothes stank, I'd get out of the shower and my hair would stink - and I wasn't even smoking. I must've been lying to myself so much about how the perfume masked the smell.
MAH - massive congratulations!
I quoted a bit of your post above as it really mirrors what I just realised for the first time. I know its a bit wrong but I was cold walking around my flat in my boxers a moment ago so went to put on a t-shirt and the first one I picked up happened to be last nights one. (i know, i know - i'm a skanky man!:o)
anyway, It absolutely stank of cigarette smoke. And the lovely realisation is that people must have been smoking in my friends flat last night after we got back from watching the fireworks on primrose hill (ah the snow - beautiful - did you see it?!)
and the best part is that it obviously didnt bother me at all as I didnt even remeber till i put on the t-shirt. Thats progress!
well done you for putting up with that all christmas. You are doing incredibly well. It was only one night for me but you really lived it and got though it.
Thanks All, this forum is a life line because of you. Just being able to rant and complain to people who understand exactly what I'm feeling because you're all ex addicts too. Only an ex smoker really understands what quitting is about.
Mah, even if you can't put it into a public post, being able to PM folk you know that have helped in the past helps too. So even the posts you can't see are there every day helping, and its all down to the folk who give their time on here.
Glad you've remained quit, i know you still have some tough times, much like i've experienced, but in those similarities re: quit its nice to know there are folk who've been through it too.
Great going on your 7 months, its still work in progress for us but we are doing so well, and 7 months is really really good
My quit is strong, which doesn't mean I don't think about fags, I do but it's always about the idea of the *calm* that a fag provided which is a fallacy, all having a fag ever did was satisfy the nicotine addiction. So when I crave / think about fags it's generally the want for this false nirvana which is the root cause. So I'm still re-educating my brain to not have a fag as a *reward* for whatever *thing* I'm experiencing.
Ditto..... well said MAH, just how I feel about the 'clam' that I feel a smoke gave me, in so many situations. I'm beginning to see it now, still an argument in my brain but logic is tipping the see saw ..... just.
Thanks Atomic, positive feedback is good for all, regardless of how far along the quit people are. Lending a helping hand feels good, having that helping hand acknowledged makes me want to do it more.
Hi Mah , a million apologies on their way to you as I missed your post . My laptop is sha***d and I am restricted to using my computer at work until I get mine repaired.
Moving on from the waffle ..WOW 7 ( and a half ) MONTHS now hun :D.
You are doing soooooooooooo well ,I am only one month in front of you and just lately have been really feeling great as a result of my quit.
I thought i'd posted on this :confused: I cant see myself, so unless I have and I am going barmy then I will post now. Congratulations!!! Well done you!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Six months quit and threw it down the drain!
