NML & Inbetweener Weekly Check In - 1/15/2018

[Roller831]

We have this discussion every Monday to offer encouragement and camaraderie to those in NML, basically months 2-3-4 of a quit and those who have not yet reached the 6% club. Regardless of how long you’ve been quit, anyone who likes the conversation and wants to offer support is welcome to participate!

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! 

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

This week’s topic: Celebrate NML!

I have something to say that might surprise you – I enjoyed No Man’s Land.  Really!  We talk about the “dangers” of NML so much that some people think it’s a scary place, but the truth is, No Man’s Land is something to celebrate!

You’re getting back to your life. Putting the roller coaster behind you. Your quit meter is really adding up, you’re feeling better and looking better. You’ll probably have your first encounter with a doctor or dentist, and you’ll get to tell them you quit – I promise you, their response will make your day! You’ll start to feel a sense of freedom that can actually leave you a bit giddy. You’ll do the math on how much money you’ve saved, how much time you’ve saved, and you’ll start to feel like that smoker you remember was a different person.

Of course those bumps in the road are still there – quitting isn’t over, but you know how to deal with them. Because you took the time to learn and prepare. Most of the other blogs in this NML weekly series are about the bumps – let’s not forget to enjoy the rest of it! NML is an important part of your journey, so celebrate it!

And one day, maybe in month 4, maybe in month 6, maybe even later, you’ll have an Ah-Ha Moment that will make you laugh out loud. If you have had your moment, please share it below!  If not, no worries.  Check in and let us know how you are doing!

Dale’s Moment:

No Man’s Land ends when you realize smoking doesn't matter anymore because you haven't thought about it or being a smoker hardly at all. My moment was when I was driving up the familiar route to a jobsite I was on before I quit. I reached for my pack on my truck seat out of habit because I had done so many many times going up that hill. I like to call it "the ghost pack" and, I laughed because right at that moment I knew I was through.

SarahP’s Moment:

Mine was at the Atlanta airport, one of the last airports in the US at which you can smoke. I had an hour between flights, and the gate I arrived at was right next to my departure gate. The only thing separating them was the smoking lounge. I thought “too bad I don’t smoke anymore”. That random old junkie thought startled me so much that I laughed out loud. That was when I knew, truly knew, that smoking was behind me.

My Moment:

I went back to read some of my old blogs because I knew I had a moment but couldn’t quite remember when in NML it happened.  It was 39 days into my quit.  I took this from my old blog post (https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/people/rollercoaster831/blog/2017/07/31/now-i-get-itnml  😞

I actually had a split second moment of panic followed by laughter!

I had just finished prepping food and getting a lot of things ready for the week.  It was almost 1PM and I was hungry for lunch, but wanted to get all the prep work done first.  After the prep was done, I paused...it hit me...I was getting ready to reward myself and "relax" by having a cigarette before heating up my lunch.  Of course, I did not.  This honestly was a quick moment of thought, but my husband noticed the pause and asked me what was wrong.  

I told him I was having a thought of a cigarette and smiled at him and said there is no way that will happen!  Then I laughed.  After weeks, I had a thought.  This was not a craving at all.  Just a thought.  An old habit because I would do this in the past.  I was going to "reward" myself with a smoke because I got a ton of stuff done.  I was going to "relax".  

NML.  Yep.  I get it now.  I am protecting this quit.  I can laugh at the thought.  I am aware it can happen.  I am grateful it didn't.  I am hopeful and determined it won't.

If you’re out of NML, please share your Moment with us in the comments. If you’re in NML right now, never fear! You will have this moment! You will laugh out loud! You will smile as you say “whoa, I’m out and didn’t even realize it!”

ENJOY the journey! 

(Taken from an old NML Blog Weekly post by SarahP)

Click here to read Dale’s helpful blog about No Man’s Land:https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/best-of-ex/blog/2011/05/24/no-mans-land-days-30-to130-appr...  

Click here to read what to expect in the first four months: /blogs/jonescarp.aka.dale.Jan_2007-blog/2011/06/26/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 and graduate to eventually become an Elder!

Please let me know if you are interested in posting the NML Weekly Check In.  I am happy to continue it, share it, or pass it to the nEXt EXer in NML who is ready, willing, and able.

[minihorses]

Please excuse typos and grammar.  one of my cats is lying upside down on my left arm so typing or left handed capital letters is resrictred. I don't wanna wake him up, he's too fuzzy and warm. 

I don't think I've had that aHa moment yet but I've had quite a few moments of 'you don't do that anymore dummy'.  I'd love to take a long drive but besides the fact that hubby has my car while the truck is in the shop I don't think I can do it yet.  All things in time.  Not smoking is beginning to become a norm now.  I still have vapes around the house but I only touched them a couple times during the first month. For me, they are not a trigger, not a want, not a need.  They are a challenge to myself.  Even if I get an urge, which is more of a memory of smoking than an actual urge I can look at them and walk on by.  It seems silly but having nicotine available and NOT using it by my OWN WILL and my OWN  DECISION has made my quit easier.  I am proving to myself that I AM stronger than I thought, I don't WANT it I don't NEED it!  One of my son's friends was over the other night and he smokes.  The smoking area in my house is the garage or outside.  I mostly smoked in the garage.  Every time he and my son walked by going to or from the garage the smell of cigarette smoke hit me like a brick. Yuck.  The next morning the garage stunk so bad I sprayed and aired it out for about 4 hours.  Hard to believe that only 79 days ago I smelled just as bad as that garage! I'm on the right path and being very proactive in my quit.  For the first time in many years I'm proud of myself.  I'm proud to be kicking smoking's ass out the door for good!  I'm still very short of breath sometimes but it doesn't last long so I'm not concerned.  I have been coloring in my swear word book and doing embroidery work a little every day.  I haven't had the energy that I always got after previous quits though and it's p**sing me off!  I always got so much done after I quit but I just don't have it in me this time.  I think that is one of my most frustrating parts of this quit.  I have at least 2 extra hours a day from not smoking so I should be able to get things accomplished but not so as of yet.  One day at a time I guess.  No plans for this upcoming week in NML other than to hopefully get out of the house for a few hours if it warms up because I have severe caged rat syndrome going on!!  Have a great week fellow NML-ers!

Julie  78 DOF

[Roller831]

Hi Everyone!  First, please accept my apologies.  This is my busiest time at work and I haven't had a moment to post although I've been trying to read and peek as best as I can!  I am well on my way to the 6% club and am strong in my quit!  

NML can catch you so please be aware and keep the site close if you need it.  If you think you want to smoke, come here FIRST!  Ask for help!  You will be better off for it and probably be very happy you did!

Roller

210 DOF

[gottastop2]

Thanks Roller! I’m at 66 days, I have some easy, busy days when I hardly think of it. I have other days where I get a feeling in my mouth or throat, clench my teeth and fight off cravings all day. I definitely like those easy days the best!! Doughnuts    help all things, lol!!

[elvan]

When roller831‌ can't be here, please know that you can click on the magnifying glass at the top of the page on the right side and enter No Man's Land Blogs or NML and you will get some results from older blogs.  No Man's Land has been around for a long time and many of us have been through it.  Hold onto each other...help each other....YELL if you need help.  Before you smoke, please write a blog and put the word HELP in the subject line.  Someone will come along and have the right words to say...exactly what you need to hear.  We have all had o go through No Man's Land..."The Only Way Out is THROUGH."