cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Give and get support around quitting

Roller831
Member

NML Weekly Check In – 9/6/2017

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing that you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt

 

We are doing this discussion every Wednesday to offer encouragement and camaraderie to those in NML, basically months 2-3-4 of a quit. Regardless of how long you’ve been quit, anyone who likes the conversation and wants to offer support is welcome to participate!

 

We will offer topic questions below if you find yourself at a loss for what to post.  These are for ideas.  We are happy if you just stop by to say hi and let us know you are still with us in NML.  Feel free to offer up ideas on topic question and I will include them in next week’s post!  Stop by daily or as often as you like!  Don’t forget to post to the Daily Pledge! 

*********************************************

  1. Topic Questions: Which would you prefer — three wishes over five years or one wish right now?

 

 

 

Are you about a month into your quit? Are you feeling a little down, a little lost? Don’t fret – you’re entering No Man’s Land, the 100 days that start about the time your first month ends.

 

The first month of a quit is emotional, exhilarating, exhausting, and many other “e” words I’m sure!  You are trying to take one moment at a time and focusing all of your energy on your brand new quit. Around the one-month mark, things start to change, and you spend the next 100 days or so in a place called “No Man’s Land.”

 

In No Man’s Land, you’ve come a long way, but still have a long way to go. The routine cravings are gone but the surprise cravings can knock you to your knees. Your family and friends think you should be “over it” while you still feel quite fragile sometimes. Your relationships with smoking friends/family may be feeling strained. Your inner junkie is still around, still whispering to you, and the temptation to give in can be every bit as strong as it was in your first few days.

 

But here’s the good news. In these same 100 days, for most people, your circulation has improved substantially, walking has become easier, and your overall lung function has increased noticeably. Sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath have decreased. Your body's overall energy has increased. The roller coaster is smoothing out, and you are feeling calmer and stronger overall. Good things are happening!

 

Click here to read Dale’s helpful blog about No Man’s Land:No Mans Land Days 30 to 130 (approximate) 

Click here to read what to expect in the first four months:  What To Expect In The First Four Months 

 

Checking in here will help you get through NML and on your way to the first year where you can celebrate being in the 6% Club!

 

Note:  Much of this content was previously found in an old blog post by SarahP when I searched for NML.  I want to make sure credit is given since much of the content above is taken from that blog post.  I also understand SarahP was willing to pass the torch to someone else on the weekly NML Check In.  Instead of doing a blog, I am making this a weekly discussion.

 

NML List

roller831

julesakaGG

TW517

Christophina

Brianairb2

constanceclum

josnyder72

Free2BU

bookee6

turtlegirl101

TurboRose

tlajbenn

stAn3

Dani_2017

gregp136 – GRADUATED!!!

Tags (1)
23 Replies
josnyder72
Member

Good Morning Fellow NMLer's...and once again Thank you roller831‌ for providing a place for us to check in with each other..Since last check in, a lot has gone on, Work has been hectic as always, we are in the process of being bought out, so it's a lot of worrying if we will have a job once all is said and done. I was at the hospital last Friday with my family as my dad was having another tumor removed (he is currently fighting oral cancer, after having quit smoking over 20 years ago) and of course it was the holiday weekend, so I spent it at home with hubby and worked in our yard, finally getting it all cleaned up.... I have to admit that I didn't crave (too much anyway) during the craziness... I am proud to say that I am still smokefree and continuing my journey through NML....

What a thought provoking question (as always!)...I think I would pick the three wishes over five years....I would not want to be greedy in taking the one wish (and using it to wish for more wishes???...I think that would be considered cheating) , I would want to hoard them away for when they were truly necessary....

Brianairb2
Member

Good morning my fellow travelers!  I'm going strong with 72 days, but lately this week have been visited by the occasional psychological crave.  My work schedule has switched over to working more nights, which makes for a routine that enables for thoughts of smoking (late night comedown, alone in the quiet of home) so I expect that I'll have to be very watchful over the next few weeks as I adjust.  The change is the result of a promotion, so that's good...the key is to ensure that I don't turn the good against me.  It seems like my lungs are producing a little more debris (a polite word for those of you maybe reading over your dinner) but overall I feel like my breaths have been deeper...I've actually been pretty good about remembering to take deep breaths and check in with where I'm at.  Overall, some days are better than others, but I'm doing pretty well and verrrry careful to not get complacent.

Thank you roller831‌ for running the check-in!  You are appreciated!

Roller831
Member

Hello fellow NMLers!  I have to admit, I've just been hanging around lately.  I don't have anything exciting going on and find myself settling into the back to school, the weather is cooler, and I've got to get some of the weight off that I put on mode.  I have some short term and longer term goals for heath and exercise and now I just need to start and stick to them.  I am cruising along with 77 DOF today (which is actually 11 weeks!) and see the 3 month prize ahead and then onto triple digits!  I take things one day at a time, but it is getting easier and easier as time passes.  There is good and bad in that statement because I am cognizant of being mindful of this quit.  I do not want to get too comfortable because then I feel I would be at risk for a slip.  On the other hand, it is good that not smoking and being free from nicotine is not a daily thought for me.

Anyway....I am with josnyder72‌ in that I would want one wish to wish for unlimited wishes, but I also believe that is cheating so I would pick three wishes over five years.

And you know what the topic question for next week will be so start thinking....what are those wishes going to be!

Have a great week, stay smoke free which will allow you to BE FREE!

Sending a BIG HUGE thank you to all the NMLers who post and keep this idea of a check in alive and to those not officially in NML who choose to stop by and participate and cheer us on because all are welcome here!

Christophina
Member

Um, it's commonly understood in these parts that your wishes don't come true if you say what they are. 😕

Roller831
Member

So make three wishes up

YoungAtHeart
Member

Just chiming in to encourage those still in NML to stay in touch!

I would ask for the three wishes over five years - but would use the FIRST one today to ask for a 6 month  summer every year, and fall, winter and spring to each be 2 months (I hope that doesn't count for TWO wishes??!!!)

I clearly remember one specific day during NML for me.  It was around Day 108, and I had the monster of all craves.  It was intense and seemed to last forever.....and I felt as though I just couldn't fight it anymore - that the journey was NEVER going to be over.  I wanted just to give up.  But - I asked for help, and was encouraged by the elders (at that time) to hang in there just a bit longer.....

I did - and here I am 5 years later.

Just hang in there  - I did and can attest that it was SO worth it!

Nancy

Roller831
Member

Thank you, Nancy.  I am happy you are stopping by with your words of wisdom.  I find it helpful and am grateful to the Elders and hope to be one someday!

elvan
Member

Please pay attention to YoungAtHeart‌ and remember that we have ALL had to go through what you are facing now...it is part of the journey and the only way out is through.  I LOVE OldBones-Larry‌ saying, "One step and then another will get you to where you want to be."  It's so true, it DOES get easier and there will ALWAYS be good times and bad times...that is life, there is no getting around it.  You are learning to deal with life on life's terms and you will get to know the people you are meant to be.

Ellen

Christophina
Member

I have lots of lovely wishes given to me in the last few days. My 7 year old granddaughter and I went for a walk in the forest at the weekend and she found 'fairies' floating on the breeze in the open spaces and caught them and gave them to me to make wishes before releasing them.  She is very sweet and I feel grateful and happy to get to spend time with her at last.

During a group meditation yesterday I was given even more wishes and then I came home to check out the ex community and yet more wishes!! I am wish rich.

Three wishes please over five years.

My quit is solid.

I had a nicodemon sitting on my chest for a couple of warm nights whispering persuasively how nice it would be to get up and sit outside in the garden under the stars with a cup of tea and smoke. After the initial shock at being woken up by these thoughts I said out loud 'you must be joking', turned over and went back to sleep.  Thinking about it now I realise that whilst properly awake I have always been much quicker to distract myself from any romantic smoking thoughts.  How sneaky to come in the night.

Generally, these days at 110 days of freedom NML is a stroll in the park.