Thank you...

Hi all,

Today I just feel like giving something back to this amazing online community - I cannot even find the words to express my gratitude to those on here that supported me during this journey - but I want you all to know that I feel truly blessed to have "met" you.

***** THANK YOU ***** 110 Days *****

I would like to encourage all the new persons coming to this site to stay on their quit path and succeed - because it is actually possible!!!

I smoked about 20 ciggies per day for 25 years (more if I was socialising). My decision to give up came from within me. I have a non-smoking related health issue that poses no real threat to my well being yet. If I continue to smoke this health issue will manifest as I age. So I woke up one day and decided that was it - I didn't want to smoke anymore. I wanted to control this minor health issue to keep it as a minor issue which is very easily managed.

That, my friends, was the easy part - the decision to give up. The actual giving up part was hard...

When I first started my quit journey I was scared. Scared of failing. Scared of the unknown journey ahead. Scared of so many things. In fact, I was so frightened of these things I almost convinced myself that I didn't need to give up because the ciggies weren't causing my health issues. So I posted various things on here and the support and encouragement came flooding in.... How lucky was I to have you guys xxx

I remember initially losing my ability to concentrate - not a good thing in my law based job ;o) All I could think about for the first week was smoking. and during my fights with the cravings I began to question my identity as a non-smoker: did I really want to quit after all????

What made it all harder was that my partner still smoked. I had access to ciggies whenever I wanted them. So for me my journey became about CHOICE.

I had the choice to have THAT cigarette or not. Then I had a choice to have THAT cigarette or not... This pattern followed the intensely strong cravings and each time I chose NOT to have THAT cigarette. Then days turned into weeks. Weeks are now turning into months... I still make these choices but just not as often anymore as I don't have so many intense cravings and I don't often think about smoking anymore either.

People excuse themselves from quitting because of stress. I don't get this. I used smoking as a stress reliever (we all did) but after I decided I would quit I just followed the same pattern = CHOOSE not to have that cigarette - if it was really bad I asked myself "will smoking that cigarette get rid of my problem/stress?" The answer is always no. So again, its about choice - choose not to have that cigarette. There are no excuses when you actually think about it.

Was this easy for me? absolutely not!!!!

I had a failed quit attempt a few years back (but then I was invincible back then when I was younger - just ask me!!!) I put this down to a lessen learnt and a few years later came back with strength and will power :o)

As time goes on you will begin to feel stronger and perhaps take risks such as "one drag/ciggie wont hurt" DONT DO IT - its a fallacy!!!! You will actually begin to feel stronger but peoples - we are addicts - we are here because we want to give up our addiction to nicotine - don't kid yourself the craving can and will strike you at anytime - do not let your guard down EVER

I personally found that at around days 30, 60, and 90 the cravings intensified for a few days - phew I got through them with your help - thanks again :o) I appreciate your kind words and support

I guess what I'm trying to say is YOU CAN DO THIS we all can

Believe in yourself - take one day at a time - take one craving at a time - take one choice at a time - and lean on each other for support and encouragement

Choose wisely xxx