My EX Journey

[SmokedOut041412]

I NEED TO QUIT: This is where I had that nagging voice telling me to quit. I knew I should quit. I joined Ex. I educated myself on this addiction. I read, read, and read some more. I blogged. I reached out TO  help. I reached out FOR help. I was aware of the negatives, the dangers, the cost of smoking, my reasons for quitting, etc.... Problem was---I felt I was "missing out" or "being deprived"  when not smoking. This is why I believe I was unable to successfully quit in this stage.

Versus

I WANT TO QUIT: I had reached the point where I no longer enjoyed smoking. I found myself putting the cigarette out shortly after lighting up---smoking much less than before. I HATED the stink, the cost, the health risk. I couldn't stop thinking about how much I HATED being controlled by this Addiction. I came back to Ex. I read daily. This is the stage I had to reach to be successful.

I Can Say (With Confidence) That I'm Done. The Battle Is Over. 

Don't get me wrong---I'm aware this is a lifelong addiction. Solution: N.O.P.E.   

I love this site & I love so many people here. Thank you to all my ex friends who support me on my decision to be SmokeFree. You put a smile on my face daily 🙂

Teresa

[jojo_2-24-11]

Hi Teresa, The proof is in the positive attitude! You are doing great! Thanks for being here! Have a wonderful smoke-free day!

[Yaya2.6.10]

Great blog.  The need to quit is dictated by outside forces and the want to quit comes from within.  That is an important distinction and you explained it well.

[pir8fan]

Hey Honey! We have both known for a long time that you could do this when you reached the point that your desire to quit, EXceded you desire to smoke!

There is a natural "Rebel" in poeple like you and me! We often do not respond well to other people's EXpectations of us! We are not likely to do anything(for very long) because someone else convinced us that we NEEDed to do it! However, people like us have the ability to do anything we WANT to do, if we set our minds to it! I have known since my very first day at this site that we had a lot in common! I am very, very happy to hear that you have reached the point where you WANT to do this! And now you WILL!

I hope that your blog will hold a mirror up to the faces of others, like us, who are telling us that they NEED to quit! I hope they understand the difference that you just articulated! Congrats Sweet Friend! Welcome to FREEDOM!            Tommy

[Ex_Nancy]

WTG Teresa! You've got it...N.O.P.E. gets it done!!!  xoxo

[Lonita]

Woohoo!!  N.O.P.E  Yahoo!! Knew you can do it!! I'm glad that you are here and you are my friend.  You got it going on.... Keep it... and enjoy it.

[zinamarie]

That was an excellent blog.  At first I thought 'OMG she's going to smoke', and then I realized the analogies.  Whew!  I hope they post this one on the intro page!  Protect Your Quit.

[Debi12]

Way to go Teresa  - n.o.p.e!

[owlfeather]

It's kinda like this:   OH, SNAP!!!!!

Great Blog!

[kate77]

Teresa, your post is so reaffirming and just what I needed to read right now.  Thank you!

[SmokedOut041412]

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[brainwashed34yearsago]

Great testimony Teresa. The power of positive thinking. Congratulations.

[MoeUnfiltered]

Hey Teresa,good blog. "missing out"My brain turned a corner when I stopped thinking I was being deprived.I am a nicotine junkie so missing my old abusive lover(cigarettes) will come up from time to time. I am so grateful to be free. Sounds like you are on your way to a forever quit. Not one puff no matter what! Moe smoke free since 2/5/10 former 3.5 pack a day smoker

[KatsKats]

Awesome Blog. I totally understand this but it scares me too. I have tried to quit before and never made more than a month. I am at my 24 hour point of no smoking...and at lunch time I kept saying why am I doing this? Going over my reasons in my head. People keep telling me that some day I will be ready to quit and I will just do it. I don't think I should wait for that.