Quitting tomorrow!

[Lauralives]

Friends,

I have been reluctant to share that I have smoked on and off since my last quit.  My new date to quit is tomorrow.  I admit that I am afraid.  I have been feeling really good and my moods have been great and my energy terrific.  That is why I am afraid.  I have a full plate of new beginnings, besides the quitting, so I pray that it will just be part of a new and positive future.

I welcome prayers and words of encouragement.  I made it 491 days last time and know "Not One Puff Ever" is so true.  Thank you all for your continued support and for not giving up on me!

Hugs,

Laura

[JACKIE1-25-15]

Prayers and encouragement coming your way.  Never give up. You can do this. 

[AnnetteMM]

Have you discovered what you gave up that 491 day quit for? Knowing why you gave up a solid quit will give you insight into keeping this one.

[Barbscloud]

Welcome back. We're not giving up on you, so don't give up on yourself.

138 DOF

[Giulia]

You have to do something different if you want something different to happen.  You've got it in you, you've done it before.  You can do it again.  Find your sticky and cling to it.  Re-read your old blogs and responses.  They may help.

[SimplySheri]

[SimplySheri]

I once gave up an 18 month quit.  It was deliberate and a choice I made.  It took me longer than I wanted to understand that I could never, ever smoke again.  Once I took smoking off the table, I quit for good.  I don't know your story and I don't know your circumstances, but I know you can quit forever if you put your mind to it   Best wishes for a very strong, unshakable quit smoking journey!!

Sheri

[Lauralives]

Annette, this is just an excuse, but after my bike accident I was unable to do all the exercise that helped me quit the first time.  My neighbor came by and I bummed one from her, thinking just one.  Boy was I wrong.  Six weeks later I am getting back on track.  Thanks for your support!

[Lauralives]

Thanks Barb!!

[Lauralives]

Giulia, could you elaborate a little on that?  I thought what I was doing was working and obviously something was missing.  After the bike accident, I didn't have the exercise but that's no excuse.  Thanks!!

[Lauralives]

Thanks so much!!

[Lauralives]

Thank you all!!  It helps tremendously!!

[maryfreecig]

OK. Journey has your begun. Thanks for blogging and talking about the highs and lows. You want smobriety...so it is definitely achievable!  

[Mandolinrain]

HEE-HEE-HEE

Your in my prayers sweetie, you can do this and we will help you..

Stay close to us!

[elvan]

Laura, 

We are all here for you...we all want you to succeed and we all started from the beginning.  You have that 491 day quit behind you and you CAN make it...you DESERVE to make it.  Stay close...yell, scream, vent, CELEBRATE....like I said, we are HERE.

Big hugs,

Ellen

[CommunityAdmin]

Be sure to update your quit date by following directions in How do I get my quit date to show on the community?‌

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Lauralives]

Yes, I did it a few days ago.  Thanks Mark.

[CommunityAdmin]

June 23rd is the current date showing on the community.  You need to follow steps in that link to resyncdate to community. 

Matk

[Giulia]

Can I elaborate?  I'm not sure.  What you were doing WAS working, until it didn't.   "My neighbor came by and I bummed one from her, thinking just one.  Boy was I wrong."  You could not have been on this site for 491 days and not have known that "just one," is the death of a quit.  We say it all the time here.  Let alone we have our own THE EX ONE PUFF FILES‌  NOPE isn't just a 4 letter acronym.  But maybe I'm wrong about that.  Did you really not know that one leads to all?  I just can't fathom that.  Did you forget it?  Did you think "Well maybe THIS time it will be different?"   Something allowed you, gave you the excuse, to smoke.  

What has to be different about this quit is that you have to "get" that.  Deep in your quit psyche.  And when you do, the warning bells and flags will go up to such an extent when you're about to bum one or head for the nearest store you simply CAN'T ignore them.  What has to be different is that some - quit protective mechanism has to be implanted in your brain.  Because the NOPE tenet didn't make it for you. I don't know what has to be different for you to make this quit work.  That's what YOU have to figure out.

For me - my fail safe is that I never want another day one.  I absolutely understand that I can never have even one puff of a cigarette without x number of more smoking years.  But more than that, I am truly afraid of another day one.  Because I don't think I've got one in me.  I fear it as much as I used to fear quitting.  My mantra is NADO (Never Another Day One)  I will do anything to never have another day one.  Fortunately in order to achieve that all I have to do is NOTHING when a craving comes my way.  If I don't act upon the craving by smoking, I continue to be free and safe.  So will you.  

It really is easier to stay quit after you've been quit for a while, then to start a new quit.  Get it back and cling to it!  Tomorrow can be your last Day One.  Think of it that way and rejoice in it!

[Lauralives]

Thanks Giulia.  Such great advice.  I am going to print it out as a reminder.  Thanks for taking the time to explain that I didn't get it.  Part of me believed that I could just have one.  I have gotten such great support.  Today is my last day one.  Laura

[Lauralives]

My quit stats are correct.  Where is the problem?

[CommunityAdmin]

The Quit date is now updated to July 30th.   Looks like everything is all good now.

Mark
EX Community Manager

[Lauralives]

I smoked yesterday and today and have no excuses.  Laura

[SimplySheri]

Laura, I hope you quit!!  I hope you realize what you are doing to yourself as you stop and go with quitting.  I hope you love yourself enough to reach for that smoke free life you are supposed to be living.  Know that I'm here cheering you on when you are ready    No judgments, just hope!!

[Lauralives]

That brought tears to my eyes and thank you.  Dang I am struggling!  I feel like that commercial where that guys is fighting on the floor with himself.  I wanted to be honest and not use excuses.  I know everyone struggles.  Let this be a lesson to myself.  One more confirmation that NOPE is the only way to go.  Thanks so much!!  Laura

[SimplySheri]

Addiction is no joke but you can recover!  The commitment has to be there, even if you simply take it hour by hour.  When you put them down, put them down for good   I know the struggle.  I know.  But I believe in you   You can.

[SimplySheri]

[lknightb]

I'm right there with you Laura. I had a bad relapse. I quit again today. So far so good. My prayers and encouragement are with you. Hoping we can get through this. 

Linda

[SimplySheri]

So sorry to hear that, Linda, but so happy you got right back on your quit!!  You CAN get through this   Let us know what you need to help you, ok?

Sheri

[elvan]

lknightb You don't need to hope, Linda...NOPE is the best way to quit.  Not One Puff Ever....I was a serial quitter, I tried over and over and over again to quit and I slid backwards UNTIL I found this site and the people here.  I came here every morning and every evening and I read everything I could find.  I paid attention to what was working for other people and I adapted what I could to my own quit.  I have been free for over four and a half years now and we all want to help you here, we have all been where you are.  Remember that smoking does nothing FOR you, only TO you.

Ellen

[lknightb]

I'm going to come here as often as I can too. 

[Lauralives]

Linda, thank you.  I am so sorry for you as well.  I, too will pray for you.  We can do this.  NOPE is the only way.  My quit date is Monday the 6th of August.  I am preparing.  I am following you now so we can help each other and everyone else too!!  Hugs, Laura