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Share your quitting journey

No Disrespect Intended!

smorgy8513
Member
0 12 25
‎01-23-2014 07:43 AM

I'm sharing this because I think sometimes you have to laugh or you will cry, you have to smile so you don't get stuck in the "junk" of life....

On Facebook today:     "Winter has been diagnosed with BiPolar"      Again, this is not to offend anyone with a MH diagnosis (I do this work as a living), but doesn't it seem like winter is doing this roller coaster thing and creating havoc with many that are having to deal with it?  Like it can't figure out what to do?

Example:    For the 3rd time in 2 weeks schools in this area have closed due to the cold weather.   Not because of snow (that is more typical) but because it is so cold that the school administrators (and 2 weeks ago the governor) said "we don't want to put our kids at risk".   Good thinking.   (over 500 closings in state today)   And then there is the "black ice" so you have to worry about driving.   

This morning here in my little corner of the world (outside Minneapolis) it is -15.    We will have a "high" of -4 today.  It is much worse in Northern Minnesota but I'm only concerned about me  (smile)....     Tomorrow it will be 34 degrees but we will have 2 bouts of snow going through, Saturday back to high of 0......Next week they are predicting an even colder blast, more school closings!

WWWWWHHHHHHYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!     I am so sick of this.....and I know that you nice people out east have had over your fair share of snow and cold too.        What is going on this year!!!

So that I won't get stuck huddled in a tight ball in my bed with 6 layers of blankets over me.....I have to find a bright side.

We are gaining 2 minutes of daylight EVERY day....they are promising spring will get here eventually.....no mesquitoes right now....I can cover the weight I've gained with sweatshirts....I have 2 cats that like to cuddle....AND no temptation to want to be sitting out on the patio and smoking!    

So, the journey continues......Remind me in mid July when I complain about the heat and humidity that I should look back at my 1/23/14 blog!

I have 171 days of Freedom!

BTW.....I need to change my profile pic and have decided that IF I dare do the zipline in Orlando I will use that for new pic!

Sharon

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12 Comments
katsnroses
Member
‎01-23-2014 07:55 AM

I remember when it was super cold out as a kid and we would still have school. I'm not happy about the cold myself and am in fact enjoying my snuggle time with my cats as well. I feel what you're saying about sitting outside and enjoying a smoke. It was my every day thing in the morning also, and thruout the day cause I didn't smoke in my house. So I do  think that quitting now while it's cold has helped, maybe by the time summer hits it won't be so bad when I go outside. If and when I get a craving out there I can hopefully just brush it off by then and find something better to do. Keep a thing of bubbles out there and blow bubbles perhaps?  

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malin
Member
‎01-23-2014 07:59 AM

Had to laugh when you said "winter has been diagnosed with bi-polar"     thank you for that laugh!  You are such a joy!   Yep, this too shall pass. 🙂  

malinda

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Bee_Jay
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:14 AM

Zipline!!!!  Enjoy!

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candylance
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:19 AM

They closed schools here in southern VA because it "might "snow. 

Candy       d135

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linda258
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:24 AM

I also had to laugh at Candy's statement...

Please put winter on some meds..... quick.... I am tired of it too (as I sit on a foot of snow).

But, I hear you say Orlando.... birght sun.. warmth... oh my! Enjoy!

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cory-3-10-13
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:28 AM

Hmmm, are you going to be condo hunting while you are in Florida? That might just be the solution to this winter thing? Whaddaya think?

I like winter, but I'm sick of it, now, too. Its no fun when you can't even go out and romp in the snow because of the low, low temps. Or when you have to carry your dog home because his paws are too cold and he won't walk. (Yes that has happened to me, learned that lesson the hard way, thank goodness he is only like 40lbs or I don't know what I would've done!)

Nice blog post, Sharon! Hang in there, spring will come!

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SarahP
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:46 AM

pretty much the same here in Chicago... VERY ready for spring... heck, I'll be happy to see 40's! 

SO GLAD I don't smoke anymore! I wonder if this weather got anyone to quit? 

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ShawnP
Member
‎01-23-2014 11:08 AM

The last few winters haven't been that cold, actually rather mild so we ended up with more snow but it melted just as fast as it came. Its probably time for all this arctic weather. I love snow but i am wanting spring now. Enough of it already. I just want to get out and walk.

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jeanne-8-4-13
Member
‎01-23-2014 11:24 AM

It is 11 degrees here in ohio. We live about 80 miles or so from Cleveland. My poor dog doesn't even want to go out, and I know I don't. Sharon, I do enjoy reading your blogs, but honestly Ziplining, WoW!!! You are one strong lady.

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marilyn_marmac
Member
‎01-23-2014 01:50 PM

The smart part of my brain said "this may not be a good time to mention that it's flippin cold here in FL at 43°." The smartass side of my brain said "hummm, maybe when she visits Orlando she will consider a transfer to this warmer climate if I send her a nudge." ;/

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dalichild
Member
‎01-23-2014 07:30 PM

In our little corner of Illinois, they have been closing schools because of the cold and all the adults are like: "WE went to school in this"  but I went to a farm school so we had a lot of snow days... either way, my kid hasnt beem at school all week because they had monday off, she had strep throat tuesday and wednesday and thursday was a "its too cold to go to school"day sigh she better go tomorrow

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Roxie-1-16-2014
Member
‎01-23-2014 08:18 PM

Do you ever wonder why we stay living in Minnesota? I ask myself that every winter. I live about an hour and a half away from you and got to enjoy the lovely weather too. I can't wait until spring so I can go walking on my breaks. I was thinking how lucky I am to be smoke free today. If not I would have been standing outside freezing and thinking of having myself commited. I mean who in their right mind stands outside for 15 minutes in weather like that? I saw a co-worker outside and said that used to be me. I'm sure happy I've come to my senses and got my head on straight. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's reprieve. Now I'm going to go find some hot chocolate and a couple blankets to see if I can shake this chill.

Congratulations on 171 days of FREEDOM!!!! You are an inspiration!

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About the Author
Gone but Not Forgotten. RIP I've thought so many times about quitting, done a few quits with the longest being 9 months. Blamed that relapse on my sister because she broke her hip. This time I feel different 8/5/13:The first day of my forever quit. About me? Well, I'm old enough that I am going to semi-retire (work 2 days per week) starting in October, 2013. I have 2 grown sons, 2 older sisters, 2 cats. I'm passionate about my work, love mystery books. I give all the glory for my work, any successes I may have to God and prayer. I have a lot of people praying for me right now and that is where I feel the strength. I also am finding strength, information and support from this site. I hope I can offer some of that to others when I get past the newbie stage. 9/4/13 30 days today!! I've learned so much since I've been coming here each morning (and sometimes at night). Words: choose, not try-----decision----not giving anything up, but gaining---I'm worth so much more than a cigarette. These are only a few of the pearls of wisdom that I've taken to heart. So many great people. I learn something each and every time I come on here. I'm learning about myself too. I teach clients everyday that feelings are feelings and ok to have, but I've always fought that concept myself. I heard when I was little "what have you got to cry about?" so I learned not to cry. If anger was shown it meant going back and shutting the door 10 times quietly or maybe getting the wrath of my parent. So, I learned not to cry, not to feel anger. I'm learning now that I have those feelings and that smoking pushed them aside and down. They are there and real. Now I'm trying to learn how to show and express them instead of going off by myself for a smoke. I have supporters. The biggest pride is what I feel in myself. With each day I wake up I can say "Today is day ____" and I feel proud. Not the kind of pride like I could never fail. That is a realization and why I need to be aware and conscious each moment. No, smoking doesn't solve anything. And today I am proof that I can go on without the crutch of a cigarette! 8/5/17 4 Years Quit!!! Who would have "thunk" it? I never took responsibility for my relapses, always blamed whatever it was that occurred. So, when I quit on 8/5/13 I knew I REALLY wanted it to work, knew that I needed as much support as I could get but I think deep down I was afraid this one wouldn't take either. So, I did as much positive as I could: Chantix, prayer, atomic fire balls, telling friends AND coming to the EX many times throughout the day. The people here became my friends as well as my family. I could share when I was struggling and get encouragement. Have there been struggles in my life since then that would have "caused" me to smoke in the past? Of course! Life goes on and troubles happen even when you don't smoke. I lost my sister who was also my best friend, my diagnosis of lung cancer and the treatment that has gone on since then (dr tells me "not curable, but treatable"). Would smoking make any of those things better? OF COURSE NOT! But when you're an addict the brain tells tons of lies to you..... Newbies: use the resources that the EX provides to you and you will have major milestones too. I thank my family here and love each and every one of you that have helped me! Too many names to mention.