2 months today.

[Friezfriend]

It's amazing this site, it really is. I come on and read for a bit and learn so much about myself, just by listening to others. Some of you struggling a bit, some of you determined, some of you scared, some of you down and some of you absolutely jubilant. Every time I read someone's post it gives me a new perspective. Like so many I used cigarettes when I was down, when I was celebrating, when I was stressed etc etc. Particularly down ones. Some of you are harangued and stressed by the rigours of demanding families and complicated lives, others are working hard and busy. I have been in all of these places and this year find myself living on my own with no relationship, daughter working in London (I'm going to see her tomorrow Hurrah!) and two sets of friends that I used to spend all of my time with have moved abroad. I haven't been able to find work and have only worked for 5 weeks in the last year. Money is short and I'm lonely and have become quite isolated. Boo. So I choose this time to stop smoking, I ask you (as my cockney Nan used to say!) But at least I haven't got anyone to scream at or kick start me in to thinking I can't cope with this situation without a cigarette, there is only the dog and the flippin house rabbit that I could shout at and you can't do that because the little sods are so lovely and affectionate. Life really chucks changes at you doesn't it? There was a time when the stress of being a single parent and working full time and having a social life was almost too much, busy busy busy, but now I have chances to worry about different things, like the canal flooding today, watching the Heron fly past, listening to the owls at night. Goodness knows what will come next but I do know no matter how still I become or how hard I hang on everything changes all of the time and sometimes without warning. Most importantly, ultimately, we cope,, our experience of that coping might be grim, determined or positive I suppose that reflects our personalities but one thing has struck me recently. Every single person who blogs on here, even if they feel like a wobbling tower of jelly must have an enormous sense of their strength, despite all of the warnings, cost, fear,smell,wheeziness , I won't go on, we have all doggedly stuck to something that we know that whilst we may like it, it has the potential to kill us. Well if I've had the strength to do that for all of these flipping years, I must also have the strength to apply myself to something else. Now who do I want to be when I'm grown up????? Have a lovely day everyone and thanks for being here.

[Eye_]

Hi Friez

This is an amazing post. You so well describe life's rich tapestry where no sooner do you feel safe and secure than someone pulls the rug out from underneath you. I think we can all recognise the ups and downs you describe and with each one we overcome we develop wisdom and knowledge that we all have the strength to make the best of what we find ourselves presented with.

I never cease to be amazed at the wisdom that rolls out of the posts on this forum. It is so powerful the way everyone can find an answer to anything they are worried about in relation to smoking. That's how you all pull each other through and each and every success is a part of the input from everyone on here. It's so uplifting.

I know you will enjoy seeing your daughter tomorrow, she is a product of all your choices and decisions and a huge validation that you get everything right.

Thanks for posting this Friez , you have lifted my spirits today.

Good on ya'

Eye

[jillygirl Administrator Queen Bee]

Hi Friezefriend, reading your post made me and I am sure others that we are all human all have ups and downs, but most of all appreciate life in general.

[EmJay Partner]

Hey Friezfried,

What a fantastic post Thanks ever so much for sharing such personal thoughts and your journey to date. It really will help others.

I think you have just pointed out almost every single thing that kicks about in every corner of most folks' minds when they go through this roller coaster ride of a stop smoking journey.

Your post is absolutely fantastic and very well written. I have no doubt that for those who read it will be inspired to 'crack on' with their journey and know that what they are going through, no matter what they do - that by smoking will not change anything other than their health.

You are a true winner and no matter what you choose to do when you grow up, I'm sure you will be a success

Thanks once again

[andi22]

Lovely blog Friez. I too am on my own - don't even have any kids, only one sister and one brother who both live abroad so I do feel very alone at times. That's partly why I've persisted with this running lark, through many setbacks, as a way of finding a new group of people to make friends with and get me out a bit more. It seems to be taking longer than I thought it would but I'm slowly getting there. Maybe you can try to find some kind of hobby to help you get out a bit more too.

Have a lovely time with your daughter tomorrow.

[monky Administrator Cake sniffer outer]

Hey Friez, A massive, big, gigantic well done to youuuuuuu gal A lovely post too Friez, am sure it will get better for you soon and you must have found a difference with not having to pay for fags eh Stay strong gal, cos your doing so so well, and I adore you for it

Enjoy your time tomorrow with your Daughter

[Betts]

Thank you for haring this Friez. So true. Time and space to do the right things for your health, yourself, come much easier when the noise of the other things diminishes enough to 'hear' your Self. The demands of everything drown that out for me so much.

[Friezfriend 13 MONTHS WINNER]

Hiya , thanks for your messages everyone. Betts yes it is almost impossible to focus on 'you' when you have all of the other demands, I'm thinking that is how things are working this time, but saying that I do know other people who have had the sheer determination to carve that time out for themselves, wish I had been a lot tougher about this years ago because we would have been wealthier and healthier. Suppose you live and learn as they say,

[yellowsnowdrop]

I'm just so glad that I've just read your post Friezefriend.It has made my day.Thank you for sharing.xx