New here gave up for lent

[nsd_user663_56694]

Good Morning, my name is Joshua and I am new here.

I gave up smoking for lent so I am a month an a half without smoking already.

I am originally from London but am working with a charity in Cambodia and have been here since early March. Before I left the UK I was reading this forum but I thought I would just start smoking again after Easter so I didn't sign up. I tried to read the forum when I got here but couldn't get on, it might be the internet company or the government that are blocking the site but an IT guy that works for the charity told me some tricks and now I can get it here most of the time.

It was very hard for me not smoking but lent is about sacrifice, when I got here it was harder still as so many more people smoke than at home and you just can't get away from it and they are so cheap. It may sound foolish but it feels harder still now that lent is over and I am allowed to go back to what I gave up but I think if I can get through the next few weeks then I will be OK, well that's what I'm praying for.

Thank you for reading,

Joshua

[nonico 7 Years Smoke Free]

Lent & meaning

Hi Joshua

congratulations on quitting for Lent - a great accomplishment.

Please please do not go back to smoking. One way to keep you motivated is that Lent means nothing in and of itself - it's a build up to the resurrection on Easter Sunday. You have been reborn too - as a non-smoker.

[nsd_user663_56237]

Wow, a month and a half?!

I'm just coming up behind you and have also been a bit up and down, but have found that positive thinking is a huge part of whether or not you find it difficult.

Moping (which I have done plenty of) definately has the effect of making you feel worse, whereas being positive and just getting on with it seems to fight off the craving and perk you up at the same time.

Well done so far, keep up the hard work!

[nsd_user663_54554]

Two "well dones" and a plea

Hi Joshua,

First well done is for the work in Cambodia, a very worthwhile use of time and effort and I hope your charity work is successful.

Second well done is for giving up something so significant for lent! I normally give up something totally unimportant, like chocolate, or chrisps, or cheese or something. But giving up smoking??? :eek:

Now the plea. Whatever made you give it up for lent, tap into that. Your body has already gone through significant healing from the damage done by toxins, your brain is now getting used to you being a non-smoker, and the chemical addiction is broken. There isn't one good reason to start smoking again, a million not to, please don't do it! Keep going!

[nsd_user663_52535]

Joshua

Just a line to say all the very best as you embark on your quit journey.

If you can quit for 40 days, then a permanent quit is imminent!!!

And well done on doing your charity stint in Cambodia, I have very good friends stationed there with the S.A.

Fi x