Stay Connected

[JACKIE1-25-15]

I have been on this site for 9 months (updated, 3 yrs  3 yrs 11 months and 12 days) (4 yrs 6mths 20 days)  5 years 9 months, and when I read that someone has relapsed, or started back smoking  one of the first things I look at is how long it has been since that person last posted or wrote a blog or visited the site. Usually, it is a very long time and I usually have never seen the name before or vaguely. remember.  Some also admit that they should have stayed connected to this community. So I am figuring to myself one way for some of us to keep our quit is to stay connected.  No, I am not saying all day everyday blog, post but this community is a lifeline that should not be forgotten.  There are people here readily available when support is needed.

There have been times that I did not have anyone to express what was going on with my quit.  Whenever I posted I got a response. Those responses can help you see things in a better light.  Just doing that let me know that everything would be okay.  It is reassuring that I have people to connect to when necessary. Come here first before you light up.

I have seen a post that states they don't use the site much because it makes them think of cigarettes. For me, it helps me to forget and has become a daily routine for me to visit my friends via Ex-community.  If this site has been beneficial in your quit wouldn't it be wise to stay connected?  Just saying. 269 (1192)  (1650) ( 2051)days smoke-free.  Take what you can use and leave the rest. NOPE will keep you free. Never give up, never give in, protect your quit it is your own. 

[MarilynH]

Congratulations on your stupendous 269 DOF and counting, this site and all of the wonderful people here are totally awesome and are here for each and everyone of us. So blog when tthings are rough and need help. 

Marilyn 

[Puff-TM-Draggin]

Amazingly, this site now consumes more of my time than eBay, sort of my Ex-bay, if you will.  Besides all of the money I've saved on cigarettes, (approx. $550.00 to date,) I spend a ton less money collecting too.

Win-win!

[froguelady]

First let me say congrats on 269 DOF, you are doing great. I agree with you 100% on staying connected to EX site.  I left once for a few months and found myself having more thoughts about smoking than I thought I should so back I came. I try to get here everyday for a few minutes if nothing else but to read some blogs. I don't blog very often but am always ready to help anyone that needs it. I guess I will be here the rest of my life.

Have a good day, smoke free of course.

[kristen-9-7-15]

Wow!  I must have been a very heavy smoker and/or where i live cigs are way expensive!  Puff... I am at 44 days and saved $923 dollars and you're ahead of me in days.  Yikes!!

[TerrieQuit]

Hi, Jackie! I am here reading, commenting, supporting and encouraging every day. but for some ridiculous reason I hate to admit and ask for help when I need it! I feel like I know what works, I do know what works! This nicotine addiction is a very powerful thing and I must remember that I haven't even made it through the first four months! Sometimes I read Dale's page everyday!! It is the #1 important thing in my life right now, To keep this quit!!

Thanks for this post, Jackie. I needed to hear this,and it helped convince me to post a blog! You have been a big help to me staying quit, and the Elder's, I wouldn't be here without their encouragement and support!

Thanks every one for all you do to help me!

Terrie  107  DOF

[bonniebee]

I read the blogs daily and comment on many of them but I do not blog very often anymore . I just feel like having  commented on so many blogs I have nothing left to say !

In AA there is a saying something like this ....You must give it away in order to keep it ! I think it applies here as well .

That is why I continue to come here everyday or almost every day I have been helped and supported by so many caring ex'ers so I want to also give back .

[elvan]

You are so right, Jackie, staying connected is really an important part of the recovery process.

[northern-eclipse]

Definately stay connected! I just had something bad happen today (trying to fix my truck, wound up throwing tools around in the garage). Came in and got on here. A little better now thanks to this site and this blog. Looks like with all the money being saved by us we should pool a portion of it and play the lottery LOL. Keep up the good work Jackie.

[suzykely]

I have a quit date set for a week from now and like what you say about getting and staying connected. i believe i can do this but need all the help i can get. i tried a couple months ago and only lasted 4 days. i believe in the power of us all supporting each other. thanks for your blog

[friendofsmokers]

@Jackie-

Great post.  I'm probably the minority here as I have never smoked myself but have several people in my life who did/do smoke. One of which who is on 1,477 DOF today. I'm proud of him and he has changed his life.

The others...I am not sure if I will be able to get them to come here or if I will have to work directly with them. Whatever the case, I hope to learn new strategies to support them in their effort to go cigarette free when they're willing to.

I'm here to soak in as much information from your struggles and your successes as possible.

FoS

[Eric_L.]

Yes.

[Kimshine]

This is a great blog, Jackie.

I agree with what you say about staying connected, I think it's also important to spend time here staying connected after the crisis of the beginning of our quits.

We must always be vigilant!

[TerrieQuit]

90 days ago and still today my quit is top priority in my life! It's always fun to look back! Thanks Jackie!

ps you had to know i'd snoop out the link!  hahaha!

[kristen-9-7-15]

I snooped too!

[nicolelineah]

It's true. If I would have stayed connected I probably wouldn't have relapsed. All I can do is try again with more knowlege than I had before. 

[indingrl]

CONGRATS JACKIE AND GOOD JOB! I love you and thank God for your experience-strength-hope-love-and teaching by your own ACTIONS and non smoker lifestyle! Thank you for all you do for ME and EVERYONE here!

[Giulia]

"when I read that someone has relapsed, one of the first things I look at is how long it has been since that person last posted or wrote a blog. Usually, it is a very long time"

Agree.  I also look back on their home page to see when they last posted (if ever), last activity or blog,  or when they last logged in.  And I wonder if the fact that I have over a 13 year quit is because I'm still so active here.  And I can picture myself taking a long vacation from the site and beginning to forget what Day One feels like.  Forget why I can't have "just one."  And forgetting either of those makes relapse so easy.  No matter how many years you have smoke-free.  We see it all the time here.  And that's part of the reason we're Elders and speak not only through the experience of our own quitting process but through witnessing the mistakes in the processes of other long-term quitters.  

I suspect that staying as daily connected as I do also perhaps creates more cravings now and again, a couple of times a year is all, but my instincts tell me if I don't stay connected, if I'm NOT reminded of the cost of this addiction I'll forget.  And if I forget that cost - I might have to pay it again.  And I can't afford it.  Having gone through several Day One's  years apart  I just don't think I have that "challenging ooomph" in me.  I don't know how I'd generate that excitement in a new quit at this stage of my life.  It really is easier, after you've crossed the point of no return, to stay free.

[KMC56]

I agree...I have been smoke free  little over 3 years...absoluting thought I was going to the Looney bin the 1st 6 months of my quit..that my functioning life was over without a cigarette.  Oh...there are moments that i find myself that a quick 'break' will fill the void of time I may be experiencing...thankfully..my mind is trained to say N.O.P.E. with a sense of pride, and move on with my life.  That may even include coming to this site..and solidifying my success, its within the words of those successful elders, those who are beginning their journey, and even those who relapsed...picking up their bootstraps owning up to their relasp..all contribute to the reality of this addiction..and not to take your freedom for granted.

Yep..still smoke free..still live with smokers..and though I'm sad for their addiction..I hope that hanging out with them on the deck or at lake, i am STRONG, and hopefully a poster person of an ex smoker for them.  

I truly thought I was going to be that last person on the planet smoking...yep patting my self on the back, we all get to have that privilege!!

I plan on staying on this site for as long as it's live to support keeping it real one day at a time!!

There are at least a half dozen quitters that started with me, and a couple of elders I would love for them to  reconnect here at EX..hope they are smoke free and are staying strong!!

Here's to our continued smoke free success...support ..and staying on this site.

~Kathy