200 Days
A nice early Xmas present. 200 days nicotine free!! :-) $5,803 saved.
I still have the odd moment or two every now and then when I have a mental craving, but it quickly passes. I can be next to someone smoking and not feel like I'll give in and ask for one.
Reading back over my early posts the thing that strikes me is the fear.
Fear about quiting.
Fear of cravings
Fear of the experience.
So the best way to describe where Im at now, is to say Im no longer scared about quiting.
Ive done it. Its over. And I no longer fear it.
For those still early on in the quit experience and feeling the fear I say to you, keep going.
You're stronger than you give yourself credit for.
You got this.
You can do it.
And once youre through it life gets so much nicer :-)
Nothing to fear but fear itself. I still don't think you found it as hard as you had feared PV. We have buried our heads and cowered for decades only to find that we are much stronger than we gave ourselves credit for. We are certainly stronger than a nicotine craving, a mere thought. This journey is the best thing we will ever do for ourselves.
It can even be easy with the right mindset. Just make up your mind that you do not want a cigarette. We certainly don't NEED cigarettes, as they do nothing for us except rule our lives.
Congratulations on your 200 day accomplishment PV. This journey is over for you the minute that you know that you are in control because there is no desire. Enjoy your freedom and let the past go. Stay in touch and stay strong and free.
Cheers my friend. Happy Holidays!
Hi,
I'm new here. I have been quit a while. I do like to help.
I've learned quitting is a process.
Our bodies and minds need to readjust when we quit.
We need to strengthen our quit muscles and keep them strong.
I've learned to use the 5 D's,
Deep breathing,
Drink water,
delay
discuss
distract
I've learned to watch out for H.A.L.T.S.
H unger
A nger
L oneliness
T ired
S ad
I like Allen Carr's book The Easy Way to Quit smoking.
We are junkies with junky thinking, needing to watch for that.
We can do this.
Nancy
15+ years quit.
Congratulations on 200 days quit. I tried to introduce myself, I did not mean to do that on your post. Sorry. You've got a beautiful quit!
Happy holidays PV
You have a digital record of the day that you Quit the smokes. Your series of stories has probably inspired others to Quit too? If you ever have any doubts in your determination, you can always come back here just to remind YOURSELF of that FEAR you felt.
And thus keep you well clear of any weak moment.
Welcome Clearcolours. What a pretty name, and what a wonderful accomplishment. ...15 years smoke free. I wish i could say the same, but i won't wish my life away...got too much to live for now. It sure is great to be smoke free though, and I will savour every day.
It is nice of you to join in and support our members. I think H.A.L.T. is from EX isn't it? Why don't you tell us your story and how you quit on your own page. I hope i have the opportunity to get to know you better.
Hi PV. Power to you. $5800 is a ridiculously expensive and unnecessary bonfire. Money saved from the ashtray. You no doubt have regained self respect for your effort. My bonfire has missed out on over $36000. I have had fun trying to spend less that 10% of that. The rest is an amazing pay rise over 4 1/2 years. Enjoy yours and knowing you are no longer a social outcast.
Great work PV It seems you have achieved what was difficult for you and learnt a lot about yourself too well done
WOW! So many great inspirational stories and words.
Fear was my big downfall.
I'm not afraid of The Nicotine Monster any more.
Merry Christmas to you all especially my beautiful kind friend HAPPINESS, PuffNoMore, TryingTK, Red-67 and many others who took their time to help me quit.
I appreciate every word and so needed your encouragement and praise. It kept me on track and I understand the journey now
I think fear of living without smokes still remains the number one hurdle for most smokers to start a Quit.
We have been told that the hold is as strong as an heroin addiction! Is that really true? I dont think so. Certainly not in a physical sense. For some people the addiction in the mind can be just as addictive as hard drugs I'm sure. The smoking habit and the addiction seems to be mostly in the mind with cigarettes. To break the smoking habit we need courage to welcome the Quit. We need determination to continue the Quit. And learn to not miss the deadly smokes. I think that's how to become a happy Ex-smoker.
Thanks for highlighting the fear factor PV
I think that most here realize now that there was nothing holding us back except the brainwashing that we were subjected to for many, many years.
On learning the truth about how nicotine works, how it affected your mind, how society and constant repetition and conditioning held us under its influence, we can now understand the powerlessness we felt. Understanding, however also gives us a means to fight back. We are not powerless. We are certainly much stronger than nicotine is. Nicotine has been exposed and with it it's power over us. All we have to do is embrace the fact that we no longer have to be at it's beaconing. We can be in control.
It has stolen self confidence to the degree that even when the cage door is opened we huddle in fear of venturing out. Afraid to leave, but stay and give it the control to have us systematically poison ourselves.
I should hope that no one has given up on life to that extent. Surely not anyone who came here to iCanQuit seeking help to quit. When will people open their eyes, accept the truth and fear not doing something more than embracing all the good that they have the power to claim?
There is nothing to fear but fear itself. It will immobilize you. Read and learn. Come to believe that you too can kick this insidious drug to the curb.