6 months down the track
I do come back here from time to time because there is no-one in my immediate life who smoked and so no-one who quite knows what it is like to give up. That's why I celebrate half a year here.
First up, it is sooooooooo much better than when I first quit. When, occasionally, I have an urge for a cigarette, I am dismayed because that urge still exists. But then I remember how it pounced and pounced every hour of every day in the beginning. And it certainly doesn't so that now.
I remember asking a dear friend, who had been a heavy smoker, how he did it and he said, unhelpfully, at the time, I thought, 'Just grin and bear it'. I now know that is pretty much the way it works. Each day gets better and each time I resist builds strength. But there are times when the only thing that has gotten me through is a dogged determination that I WILL NOT HAVE A CIGGIE.
Thanks again to the gang that saw me through the early days - Shasha, Nanette, Lia, Dave, Nodrah, Joji and Feather. I know what we have in common is that we are all going to beat it - eventually and in our own individual ways.
As I said once, temptation remains a clear and present danger. This site has made the temptation further removed and less compelling.
Well done you. A friend of mine still craves after 10 years :(. Perhaps as an ex smoker the temptation is ALWAYS going to be there.
gday fullofhope, congrats on your mile stone, think your spot on when you say each time you resist a stinkn demon you definitely get stronger until your mind games eventually cave in...That is the SECRET and I hope all the new players read this and take it on board cause as soon as you loosen that grip your inner demons will take over and before you know it your back to a pack a day....take care and keep up the great work you've acheived
Hi Fullofhope. What a journey it has been. It is interesting that on this site the newbies will support each other. It has been a long road for some of us as you have mentioned. We felt each other's pain and encouraged each other. I used to think of analogies and had such a good time sharing these thoughts with the "regulars" at the time. So hard to go cold turkey... 6 to 9 months ago... We inspired each other and that was (and still is) soooo good. Bottom line, as Nodrah suggests, once a smoker, always a smoker. We do, however, get to choose if we light up or not. And when we don't, we know there are fellow quitters who cheer us on and would be so disappointed if any of us erred. After a tongue lashing, I am sure the support and encouragement would continue. I remember the conversations of all of the fictitious names and very real caring people. A huge thank you to you all.
Its a journey that has a beginning, a long running decline and a never ending finish, you are right two choices smoke or not smoke rarely a in between.
Amazing achievement and the next big milestone for me (I am just over 4 months). Thanks for posting and here is to never being in the clutches of this nasty friend again.
Hey!! Well done,I've not posted in ages as I had alot going on but had to Sa hi,I'm still smoke free,and its thanks to everyone who has been so supportive.Even after a slip,I didn't feel judged,which is so important.We all have different journeys,love to you all xx
Hello!! Well done, Fullofhope n all my fellow quitters. I am just enjoying my non smoking life, it's beautiful! I haven't been here in a while. I am very happy that everybody are staying quit. We have to love ourselves always!! I am approaching two years smoke free this August 9, 2016. I am looking forward to it!! Stay Quit!!!
Hello everyone. Lovely to see everyone checking in occasionally. I miss you all as you kept me going in the early days. I think 6 months is fantastic fullofhope. Are you going to change your name to "Nailingit". Congratulations I'm sending you a huge bunch of cyber flowers. 🌹🌹🌹💐💐🌺🌺🌻🌻🌸🌸🌷🌷🌷🌼🌼
HiFullofhope.A huge congratulations to you on this fantastic milestone.I just visited this site to see how everyone is going. So pleased that you have all supported each other and everyone should be very proud that they have done soooo well.
Congratulations to everyone 😀