EX Community

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎01-20-2016

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.

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎02-19-2018

You can do it.

anaussiemom · ‎02-22-2018

How many years did you smoke Jackie?

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎02-22-2018

Over 40 yrs plus 4

anaussiemom · ‎02-22-2018

Wow. You must have worked your butt off for your freedom from addiction.
Kudos.

Hugs.

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎02-22-2018

I gave it my all. With every part of me. An inner strength within that grew each time I said no. It was not easy but doable. Failure was not an option for me. No matter what. I committed. I had my mind made up nothing was going to stop me. I was afraid of dying with each puff that I took. I was not sick but scared I would be. I had a slight cough when I laughed it has gone away. I no longer have to clear my throat from smoking. It is a joy. I did it as a gift to myself. You can too.

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎02-22-2018

I stared smoking when I was 21 years old. Sad. Quit twice. Once for about 4 months another time about 8 months. Until I used the support here I failed. Take what you can use. Every little bit helps. One day at a time.

JACKIE1-25-15 · ‎02-22-2018

Most of us here have smoked for a very long time. Except for the young folk.

anaussiemom · ‎02-22-2018

Hope so

Thank you for sharing.

TessaGrace · ‎02-23-2018

Thanks for the inspiration, Elder Jackie.

Janetsimpson · ‎03-07-2018

Hi all, I am on day 58 and feeling good - but not going to rest on that! My husband quit with me (we finally did it together - we kept caving together so am so glad we have stayed strong).

I smoked for about 20 years (a couple of quits in there) and then quit when I got pregnant with my third child. That was the hardest quit - I had a complete breakdown in the grocery store and had to leave my full food cart and drive home. I swore I was never going to smoke again and go through the withdrawal I was experiencing....fast forward 18 years and you guessed it - took that first puff in January of 2013.

It took about 2-3 years until I was basically full time smoking (would quit for a couple of months and then managed to quit for a couple of weeks...and then only could make a few days...both my hubby and me in the same boat)

People would just say "Again?" when I quit and they were right - UNTIL NOW!!

This time, I read everything I could find, used the patch, read Allan Carr's book and quit on January 8 2018 and this time it is different! I am informed and really feel this is the one - the final one! I even have my sister (a 40 year smoker) almost at a quit - I am so proud of her!

My father died of small cell lung cancer at 69 yrs. old - life long three pack a day smoker. My mother has Emphysema and is still smoking - over 60 years. With this history people always wondered why I smoked...well can you say addiction!

I feel good and I love this site - it helps me stay on top of things and not be complacent - I know I will have many more temptations, but I honestly feel so strong - I just can't image taking that first puff NOPE!!

Anyhow this is my first share so hopefully this helps someone and if not well I helped myself

Thanks for listening (reading...)