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)? 

[AnnetteMM]

It's as important to me as my own birthday! I will always celebrate my quite date - my second one is coming up in December

I rewarded myself at 30 days, and then at 90 days. Those milestones were clear to me as HUGE humps to get over.

[redluvr]

That's good to know, AnnetteMM‌. I wasn't sure if I should feel weird for looking forward to the anniversary of my quit date. I'm only three weeks smoke-free at this point but I so eager for the warm and fuzzies I'll feel once it's been a whole year. I seized on the opportunity to 'engineer' the moment I got rid of my cigarettes in a way that has made it impossible for me to forget. How I got rid of my cigarettes‌

[Barbara145]

Yes, Yes, Yes!  I treasure everything about my quit. It has been six years for me. 

[YoungAtHeart]

My quit date is July 4th - so I consider the parades, fireworks and special events as also in honor of MY QUIT!!!  It took me FOREVER to get up the gumption to quit, so I do celebrate the fact that I bit the bullet and did it. I celebrate each and every one of the 7 years (so far!).  As a matter of fact, I take note EVERY winter night when I get in bed with feet that aren't like ice cubes - which is what they were when I smoked.  Now they are warm when I get in, and warmer still after I am in bed for a bit.  I cherish the smell of the salt air when I travel the bridge to our barrier island ocean town.  I couldn't smell it when I smoked.

There is ALWAYS something to celebrate about our quits - and the quit date is but one.

[redluvr]

It's interesting you should mention something about noticing a smell that you didn't as a smoker. About a week ago I ate a place known for its cheap, buffet pizza. Everyone knows that you're paying for quantity, and NOT quality at this joint. I've gone there off and on for years, but this was my first visit as an EX-smoker.

After my first piece, I found myself wondering if they'd changed something about the recipe because it tasted better than what I was used to...

So much of what we think of as gustatory is really olfactory. Their food still sucks, I was just tasting more of it for the first time 🙂    

[Debi12]

I am celebrating my ten year anniversary today.  I usually come to this website each November and have a look around and read some posts or questions.  I logged in daily the first few years I began my quit and found the advice, friends and conversations to be of so much help to me!  I celebrate each year by treating myself either with a nice dinner out, buying some pretty flowers or just sharing with those I know and love what a great day it is to celebrate.   In the beginning  each day, week or month smoke free was a day to celebrate... now I think of quitting more in years. 

Celebrate every milestone!!  It is a huge accomplishment that you will never regret!

[indingrl]

Yahooooooooooo - WAY TO GO TEN YEARS NON SMOKER LIFE STYLE - CONGRATULATIONSGOOD JOB!

[MarilynH]

Wow Debi12 a super duper CONGRATULATIONS on your precious quit journey YAY for 10 splendiferous Smokefree years of Freedom and counting WTG YAY for each and every year WON.

[constanceclum]

Quitting smoking was and is harder for me than alcohol and cocaine  which I was also addicted to. It will be as important and anniversary as my marriage and birthday!

Connie