- Home
- Community
- Staying quit
- 888 days and counting
888 days and counting

Still staying smoke free and vigilant. No more cravings to speak of. Actually, sometimes I wander why I was addicted to cigarettes begin with and that’s a dangerous territory for me. Thus, I have to practice NOPE mantra - not one puff ever. To those who are just starting out and still fighting your nicodemons believe in your inner strength because this is one fight is worth winning.

888 days Wonderful so many days and yet you still help out and check in. I will be like you as I have been down that road before. I will continue on with your Mantra Nope not one puff ever. Thankyou and congratulations.

888 days and a white laptop later! Way to go Safe. You are a real trooper for never giving up the faith after a couple of false starts. Never giving up after your wife confiscated your new laptop, instead you relinquished it to her because in a sense, she took the journey with you. I hope you got yourself a laptop which you richly deserve. Not only for winning the fight, but for helping others for all this time. Please continue to support us all here on IcanQuit and to keep yourself reminded of your past slips. I know your story has helped many from chancing that one Puff. It is just not worth it. You my friend, are worth your weight in gold.
Please tell me, did you get a laptop for yourself? What is your next reward?

Thanks everyone. You all inspire me to keep going.
Happiness, to answer your question - no I did not get another computer because my work laptop is still good enough to do most of what I need. Also, my wife started sharing access to the new desktop when she isn't using it. However, in the meantime I did buy a nice second hand Toyota Camry for myself and a nice used van for my daughter's family. Made me realize how much money I wasted until I quit. I could make a long list of what I could've bought in the last forty five years with the money wasted on smoking but I won't because I don't want to start crying over spilled milk. Cheers, stay smoke free and vigilant.

P.S. did my math and I actually it's total 38 years of smoking, not 45. But I could still cry over so much wasted money ant that's not counting health and time.

You are so right Safe, there is no sense crying over spilled milk, but we can salvage what is left of our health and years and make the best of them. It is so nice to be able to help our families and see them enjoy it now when they need it most too. We may never know the true amount of time we have gained, but we can rest assured that we are given some . All the best to everyone and may you all reap the rewards that you justly deserve and the time to enjoy them.

Hi Safe . I just want to send you a personal thanks. I know i said i didn't have cravings, and i will stand by that, but i am or was used to summers by the lake relaxingg/chilling by the lake , yes with a cigarette . Although i am proud that i am no longer subjecting my grandchildren to it, and setting a positive role molle to follow, there are times when i think how great it would be to just...... Same as having an ounce of my fireball whiskey to relax. Unfortunately, like New Year's...lol.... it did not agree with,or at least something didn't...lol./. hence perhaps the willingness to look into pot as a substitute relaxant. I look up to you, We grew up in the same era. You don't seem judemental, neither do I. Live and let Live!!!
Your wisdom has helped me most through this journey and I can only Hope that My writing inspire or encourage others. NOPE is most important next to the actuality.... Believe....... I did and thank you. xo
and am so glad that you have remained with the forum to prevent us from falling to temptation. Thank You!!!!. I do feel that i am one of the stronger ones, and spouting off so much,.... do i have a choice any more??? lol. Honestly I enjoy giving my time and support to a totally worthwhile cause while i enjoy retirement. It is a great way to give back and .... yes... it makes me feel good. I will not feel guilty for feeling good while doing good. I wish others would contribute and feel the joy that i feel , although I realize that they don't have that luxury of time. ....lol and i even debate if retirement is a luxury. Yes i deserve it ,but also miss the camaraderie of working with other people... and the exercise. Somehow I still can't get that motivation. I like my time to myself, too and to Icanquot and to Playing cards at the Seniors Meeting Place.
I guess quitting smoking afforded me choices,, and of course no regrets. Thank you again for being you. Strong, true and supportive.

Thanks for your kind words Happiness,
In addition to my NOPE mantra, same as you I also practice live and let live. Life is too short for negativity, so no reason to be judgmental. I do remember the times camping by the fire sharing a nice, fat J with friends and having a cig burning in the other or cruising on a cruise ship with a balcony and sitting on that balcony reading a good book, smoking and just having a blast. Those are great memories but that’s all they are just memories because in the end the bad associated with smoking outweighs the good by a huge margin. And my previous two semi long quit made me realize just how addictive cigs really are. In my previous two quits I reached about the same point where I am right now, that is, no cravings and loss of comprehension why one puff will get you hooked again. But not this time - lessons learned, not one puff ever (nope) because this time I am fully prepared and aware of what happens with having just one puff. Keep sharing the Word Happiness and enjoy a smoke free life with your loved ones cause that is what I am doing to the best of my ability. Also, we like to BBQ but steaks and ribs sometimes come out either undercooked or over cooked. So with the money saved I bought me a Thermaworks thermometer for about $100 US. Expensive but worth it, gives an accurate temp reading within 2 seconds every time and the bbq comes out perfect every time now. Cheers.