My First Smoke Free Christmas in 7 years

While not a lifelong smoker, I've certainly had my share of cigarettes in three separate timeframes. First time, the habit lasted about 13 years. After a few years of being quit, I picked it up again, and that lasted another 10 years, if my memory serves. After several years smoke-free, I fell off the wagon again, and this time it took six years to quit, which is where I am right now.

I'm in my tenth smoke-free month, and just realized this will be my first smoke-free Christmas in seven years. Joy to the world!

I've had a very rough year which I've chronicled elsewhere. I'm spending the holidays alone. The year has been such a challenge, that if I had known what was coming, I would have said there was NO way I could successfully quit smoking. My nicotine-stained brain would have convinced me to wait for a better time. But you know what?

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO QUIT THAN RIGHT NOW, NO MATTER WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I would not have thought I could be successful. But I am. I'm ten months into it. I think I'm going to make it, this time forever. I may be a slow learner but I DO learn eventually!

So, when I get a bit down about the setbacks I've been dealt this year, I try to remind myself of my great victory - I quit smoking. No matter what has happened or will happen, I'm a success at one very important thing: I quit smoking.

Happy holidays, everyone. And you newcomers? You can do this too. You can make your own story a success story. Trust me - if I can do it, you can do it!

[nsd_user663_18145]

What a great post DGee so glad to hear your still being so positive and staying strong

Life certainly can send some horrible curve balls that just leave you reeling and thinking wtf how can i cope without my old so called friend because that used to be the natural reaction to any bad or even happy situation that was going on because thats what we always did have a ciggy

i do hope you are standing tall and proud for managing not to use what has happened to let that smoking side back in and take the control back

Stay strong my friend and hope you enjoy your smoke free xmas

hugs

Carol x

[nsd_user663_53202]

You've had some really tough times this year - life can be so bloody unreasonable at times! You are entirely justified when you praise yourself up for quitting under such challenging circumstances. Very well done.

I've had a few Christmases alone - and found it to be a harrowing experience. If you haven't been alone for Christmas before, then I advise that you plan plenty of things to do to keep yourself occupied. I found cooking a full Christmas roast to be a good item on the list. If you find yourself sitting around thinking about everyone else spending warm cosy times together while you are alone - it is really painful, so snap out of it and do something to occupy yourself.

Despite the rather grim nature of this post, have a good Christmas, and congratulations on a great quit.

[nonico 7 Years Smoke Free]

Have a great Christmas

Hi DGee

Congratulations on your smoke free Christmas.

I hope you enjoy your Christmas without your false friend of cigarettes.

Spending Christmas alone is not the worst thing in the world - I've spent Christmas with people who made me feel more alone than I ever could if I was on my own. The Christmas season goes so fast that it's over before you know it.

Great to see you're keeping positive about your quit.