Things that work.

[Incy_Wincy]

My mission for day 19: to make a list of things that have worked for me, and why I think they did...(bonus mission points for posting on my favourite forum! I have yet to receive any points, bonus or otherwise, but hey, I like the missions.)

1: Distraction, in the form of a) food, mainly sweets.

b) water. Gallons of water.

c) Reading. The complete works of several chick-lit style easy-reading authors.

d) Copious forum-haunting

e) Baths.

A distraction only really needs to last for a few minutes, but hey, then you get sucked in...

2: Making lists. Of i) reasons to quit

ii) benefits of quitting

iii) things that have worked to help me quit...hang on...um...brain melt!

Keeps you focussed.

3: Remembering my Dad's extreme bravery and humour in the face of his last weeks of pain. Honestly, we laughed at some pretty inappropriate stuff, and he made that ok. But at the same time he really made me realise how important, fragile and precious life is.

Quitting's like a tribute, or a promise, or something. He'd be pleased, and I don't want to let him down. (You'd better have internet connection wherever you are, Dad!)

4: Exercise!

This works because - it's a distraction

- it's measurably easier than it used to be on the lungs.

- makes all those endorwhatsits or whatever they are that make you feel good come out and play.

5: NOPE. It's just genius.

6: DonnaJ's signature. Everyone wants happiness, nobody wants pain, but you can't have a rainbow without a little rain.

This reminds me that a few minutes per day, a few weeks of my life, is a small amount of rain, and the rainbow's well worth it Thanks Donna!

7: Complete, and I mean TOTAL change of routine for the first three killer days. I was on holiday. It worked...might not have ever managed it in my own house. So phew!

8: Celebrating millions of tiny milestones and reminding myself how hard this is, how awesome I am, and how proud I can be. And making lists of those milestones. And sharing them on the forum...now I'm back to 1: so I'll stop.

TLDR: Keeping busy, basically, was my key!

[AnnMarie74]

Yay I was missing something and it wasn't a fag it was this post from the lovely you! Feel instantly better. Add helping others to your list of things you can be proud of. Donna's signature is fab and helps me every time I get a what's the point moment. Your posts keep me focused on how the rain is not really rain because actually there is lots to love already. Here's to NOPE x

[Incy_Wincy in reply to AnnMarie74]

Aw, AnnMarie, you just bought a little happy-tear to my eye! That's so SO sweet of you

Big the power of positivity and being in the same boat! See you tomorrow lovely - we're BASHING that nicodemon!

[__steve__]

Just a great, great post.

[Incy_Wincy in reply to __steve__]

Thanks you so much kind sir

[nsd_user663_58050]

I couldn't agree more with everyone. A wonderful post.

No 3 about your father is also close to my heart as well.

[Incy_Wincy in reply to nsd_user663_58050]

Thanks walkabout. Dad's really the thing that has kept me on the straight and narrow the most. Have you lost someone too?

[nsd_user663_58050 in reply to nsd_user663_58050]

I can understand that. Even more so if the loss was due to a smoking related illness. My father at Christmas. Myocardial ischaemia due to clogging of the arteries; he would not stop smoking, didn't believe he could. A phone conversation to say we'll see you later and an hour later, no more. Still feels unbelievable.

Your experience seems different I think.

[Incy_Wincy in reply to nsd_user663_58050]

Oh walkabout that's sad. I know what you mean about unbelievable - even though we knew dad only had months at the most, I still couldn't really believe it when he went. So sorry for your loss walkabout xx

[nsd_user663_58050 in reply to nsd_user663_58050]

Thanks Incy. I reckon that unbelieving is part of mourning, I suppose the denial bit, but it comes up every now and then, and probably will for me for a long time.

[nsd_user663_58050 in reply to nsd_user663_58050]

I'm sure I just posted a response! I think that 'unbelieving' comes and goes, not so much denial, just that situations are simply not the same and they hit home every now and then. My mother still talks of missing her parents from time to time. I guess that's the nature of such close relationships. I'm getting 'deep' again!

[nsd_user663_2681]

Incy that post is absoloutely brilliant, glad you like the signature too, it helps me when I'm having a plop day, I'm sure your dad would be immensely proud of you right now xxxx