First holiday temptation avoided

[Tryingtquit]

Hi all, hope you're all well and staying strong.

We just returned from a lovely break in France where smoking seems like the nation's favourite passtime. Every street, cafe and place of interest brought with it clouds of smoke which, depending on my mood was either disgusting or really, really tempting.

The biggest hurdle put in my way was when I was directly offered a "cheeky holiday treat" in the form of a wee cigar (normally something I would've bought when 'quitting smoking' - as they're not cigarettes{!}) on the last day of the holiday by a guy who only minutes earlier I had told I had quit smoking! ...Lead us not into temptation and all that jazz. Needless to say I told him about my 50 days milestone and politely declined (when other 'non-smokers' took up his offer). It felt like a real achievement for me, especially as I was drinking and would've normally had just had one or two cigarillos as a wee "treat". Down that road madness lies!!!

I think if it hadn't have been for the regular milestone badges and the other 'warnings' on this forum, I may not have been so well prepared to face the holiday temptations head on. So thank you all for your input which I read regularly.

I'm still on the champix (which is still helping) and have my sights on achieving 3 months as an ex-smoker. I can only hope that it takes up less space in my thoughts as time goes by. The not one puff ever rule is really helping in my trying to quit efforts.

All the best,

George

[Hercu Valued Contributor]

10 Stars George...Well done ..You nailed this one ... ! Congrats !!

[Tryingtquit in reply to Hercu]

Thanks Hercu! Much appreciated

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Ah post of the day definitely goes to you Tryingtquit , what a great one and curve ball overcome - think holidays is the worst and you done it with flying colours! Have a big Sunday treat today, you deserve it!

Going to pin this post too

google.ie/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=...

[Hidden]

hi Tryingtquit

France,love the place,I would move there if I could

Going to Normandy and calling in a few places in Sept on motorbikes.

smoking is everywhere,but we don't need it 😁

good your doing well

take care 😊

[Tryingtquit in reply to Hidden]

Too right; thanks.

Hope you have a lovely break - safe biking.

[Assem 1 Year Smoke Free]

Well done Tryingtquit 👏👏👏 be strong 💪

[Tryingtquit in reply to Assem]

Thanks Assem, well done on getting the 50 Days Smoke Free badge too - long may it continue.

[Abuelajeannie 3 Years Smoke Free]

I live in Spain so i know about spending time in pavement cafes surrounded by smokers and how difficult it is not to cave in. It did bother me a lot in the first few months after quitting, like you I alternated between hating it and being tempted to smoke and indeed I came perilously close to caving in, but I stayed strong and now It doesn't bother me so well done on resisting and keep up the NOPE mantra it helps

[Tryingtquit in reply to Abuelajeannie]

Firstly, well done on staying quit for as long as you have; the sun, coffee and cigs used to all go together so well - now the sun and the coffee are more than enough! It gives me great hope to think that it gets better with time. From what I understand from my wife (who is an ex smoker but has stopped for well over 8 years), the temptation eventually goes too. Good to hear that it doesn't bother you now.

[Abuelajeannie 3 Years Smoke Free in reply to Tryingtquit]

I've been quit 16 months now. I do have the odd wistful thought about having a cig but it's always a fleeting thought I'm not remotely tempted.

[J9_54 4 Years Smoke Free]

Well done you for staying strong. I hate saboteurs' who try and get you back on the smokes, it's hard enough each day without them. Keep going you're nearly at your 3 months.... 😊

[Tryingtquit in reply to J9_54]

Thanks J9_54 - what irks me is that some people just can't see how much of a battle it can be for some people. They're trying to be funny or to 'help' relieve the stress of not smoking but it's just a pain in the proverbial to us trying to stay quit. 9 months smoke free is amazing. well done on staying quit.