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JACKIE1-25-15
Member

I tried everything

As it gets closer to my 365th day quit I have been reflecting quite a lot.   I enjoy this site and the friendships that have been nurtured.  I am inspired by both the new and the old members.  Thoughts come to mind from where I started and to the now of this nonsmoking freedom of life journey.  I do know the best is yet to come in this and other aspects of my life.  

 Before quitting, my addiction was always telling me that I “wanted or needed a cigarette”.  In fact, nicotine told me that lie at least 10 times a day, 7 days a week give or take a few cigarettes for over forty years.  Calculate the effect of your brain being told that for so long.  More importantly, imagine what it takes to replace those thoughts in your new nonsmoking daily life.   Some may dispute it but it took me, one day at a time, sometimes moments, hours, seconds, or the length of an urge.  Along with the time, it took determination, with an in your own face; I am not going to smoke no matter what attitude.  This is my quit and I was/am not going to allow anything, anyone, no thought, no urge, and no addiction to cause me to fail.  This may sound easy but at times it is not.  First, I had to relearn my thinking.  I had to listen to the advice of the elders.  I leaned on my friends here for support and vice versa.  I put my trust in God and prayed learning that with a willing spirit I would make it through.

 I focused on learning, reading, studying, researching. blogging,  making friends,  commenting, and having fun.  I left no room for failure.  When Nancy gave me the link to Allen Carr’s book, it took me less than a night to read it.  Then I purchased my own updated copy to make sure I had it all.  There were days that my eyes were so tired, red, gritty that I would literally have to take a break to recover.  No NRT’s but I had them available if needed.  I used Wellbutrin for a very short period of time.  MY MIND WAS MADE UP.  TURNING BACK WAS NOT MY FUTURE.  I developed my own mantra SINAO...smoking is not an option The other day while reflecting I had this epiphany.

I tried everything to quit but it did not work until I tried myself.

This statement is so huge yet hard to explain to someone new.  To someone who has just begun this journey let go of all the excuses and apply yourself it is "doable".... 360 DOF. God bless.    

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51 Replies

Great blog Jackie! I always enjoy reading your words of wisdom.

Kimshine
Member

Beautiful Jackie, your epiphany says it all! 

Sometimes we don't count on the fact that we've got what it takes until we have to count on the fact that we've got what it takes!!

PERFECT!

Giulia
Member

BINGO!    "I left no room for failure."  and  your bolded statement.  "You have to try yourself."  Not in the sense that YOU try, but that you challenge yourself.  You "tried" yourself.  This is EXACTLY what is necessary to conquer this addiction.  The statement is only hard to explain to a newbie.  You are no longer a newbie.  Thank you for adding to our wisdom here.

Yes, Ma'am!

This BLOG rocks with the BEST of them!

Congrats, Jackie! 

TerrieQuit
Member

Jackie, I have always  looked up to you! You have said some very profound things to me that have really helped my quit. You said it all right here in this blog! PERFECT! I already look at you as an Elder, girl but in 5 days it will be official and one hell of an Elder you will be! Love Ya!

Terrie  198  DOF

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bonniebee
Member

SINAO !!! I remember when you made that acronym and wondered if it would stick well it did for you and many others now it is a part of The Ex - Community slogans ! You are already an Elder to me Jackie !!! I am proud to be one ofyour quit buddies !!!

It has been quite a journey and the journey continues ! Thanks for being a part of My journey !

Stay Strong and Carry On !

         SINAO and NOPE !

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MarilynH
Member

EXcellent blog for an  EXceptional , EXtremenly wise lady, I congratulate you on your awesome 360 precious smoke free days and just around the corner is your huge milestone of 1 yr of smoke free living and your beautiful entrance into the 6 % club yay, yay and yay again WTG Jackie 

blaquequeen83
Member

WONDERFUL blog Jackie!! I am so happy for you!! Inspiring!

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agthornton007
Member

i love this blog indeed I had also got to a point where i had had enough of smoking being a slave to this smouldering smelly stick. Congratulations on your quit  

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