Question for long-term quitters

[redluvr]

For those who have quit for longer than a year:  Does your quit date mean anything to you? Do you do anything special to reward yourself or otherwise think of that date in any special or different way(s)? 

[RebeccaNDBecky]

When I 1st quit, I had to take a smoking cessassion class, and happy i did, I learned alot of tips and tricks there,. not everything works for everyone, but it was suggested that in the beginning, it was important to reward oneself, just small things. I did this every week, then once a month on my quit date. It keep me focused on the next reward. The rewards got bigger with longer milestones. I worked up to an 8 year, new sewing machine, upgraded that on year 10. Make it fun!!

[maryfreecig]

I believe that if it did not mean everything to me that I would be at high risk of returning to smoking. Quitting smoking has been like having a reverse labotomy. It means everything, whereas smoking used to.

[Barbscloud]

Absolutely.  Celebrating one year smoke free is the best.  And, celebrating milestones along the way is so motivational.  

Barb

[Giulia]

My quit date is a very special day for me.  Yes, I DO celebrate it and unlike birthdays, which I have become less and less fond of as my body ages, my quitbirthday is a day I look forward to as it just keeps getting better and better every year.  

This is the quit gift my husband gave me.  (I'm a bug lover.)  It's probably the only gift I've been given in which I remember the actual date. 

    /blogs/Giulia-blog/2013/09/10/how-precious-is-your-quit 

[redluvr]

That was an inspiring blog, Giulia‌. I definitely need a reality object. I was actually thinking along those lines already, but I just didn't know what to call it. Thank you so much; that was exactly what I needed to read this morning!

Maybe a week to ten days ago I began thinking that there should be something in my life I could view or interact with on a daily basis that would serve as a reminder of how I used to smoke, but also strengthen my commitment to never start again. I thought maybe a tattoo would suffice, but once the tattoo is complete, you never have to think about it again. That didn't seem right. 

Reading what you wrote (as well as the comments) presented me with what I think is the perfect solution. Since I'm not married and have no piercings, jewelry has never had any real meaning or symbolism in my life. So... I think I'm going to have a ring made and start wearing it as a constant reminder. Maybe I'll even add an engraving of my quit date and mantra.

The act of putting a ring on each morning and taking it off at night before bed feels like a close representation of my previous relationship with cigarettes. It will be something that I will always have on my person and also (hate to go there) something I could easily get rid of if I blow my quit. 

[Giulia]

Trust me - if you get yourself a ring that symbolizes your quit, and you put it on in the morning and wear it throughout the day and think about that ring ever day - you won't easily toss it out if you relapse, (could be worth a dime - doesn't matter) and it really may just help keep your free.  Here's part of a response I put on one of my own blogs:

"In Uta Hagen's acting class in NY, one of the techniques we practiced was to focus on a particular mundane object in our home and spend a lot of time thinking about it, making up a story about it (if it had no personal reference already imbued.)  Giving it a life so to speak.   After spending several hours doing that, this mundane object grew in stature in our mind." 

It's up to YOU to imbue that ring with specialness.  For it has none on it own.  And you do that by just really thinking about what it means to you, how it symbolizes your quit.  YOU make it important to you.  It could be a rock you pick up somewhere, or a piece of special bark you find off a tree.  It doesn't have to be a ring.  It's whatever "speaks" to your soul.  You know?  If you see something somewhere that you think symbolizes your quit - THAT's the thing you need to put in your pocket or in your home.  If it's small enough to carry with you throughout the day, that's good.  But it could be something you leave at home to come back to, an object that waits for you that says "have you made it through the day?  Do you still honor me and thus your quit?"  You know what I mean?  Yes.  I know you know what I mean.

[YoungAtHeart]

You need that ring cemented to your finger - no losing a quit EVER again!!!

[Barbscloud]

And, I cherish my key and necklace memorial one year spoons from Missy.  I always receive compliments on my necklace.   I also still apply my monthly cigarette budget to "Me" now.  It's been fun to use that money in different ways.  Now it will go to Christmas!

Barb

[Cousin-Itt]

Yes   My quit day changed my whole life

Cousin-Itt  1197 DOF

[MarilynH]

I celebrate every year by having a lunch out this coming July will be 6 glorious Smokefree years and I still smile at each and every Day WON and my smile gets even bigger when my anniversary rolls around.