NML Check In 7/26/2017

on Jul 26, 2017
Latest reply on Aug 3, 2017 by Lady86

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So I saw a blog post with a NML check in a while back. The last check-in was on June 24 or something like that. I am happy to take the lead for a while and post a weekly NML check in! I'd love to know who is here with me! I know ready2021 is here with me and Diannnnn will be here soon...

Welcome to The No Man’s (Woman’s) Land Roll Call revisited (AGAIN). Let's tell everyone how we are doing! Take a moment to check in! Let's hang out and play for surely we are all in this together!

No Man’s Land, for those who may not know yet, is approximately 30 day to 130 days into the quit. Of course, some enter it sooner, some leave it later. There are many excellent expressions of this throughout the Ex Community, so I will let you find it for yourselves. Check out these great posts!

What To Expect In The First Four Months

No Mans Land Days 30 to 130 (approximate)

I will try to post a weekly discussion. Hope to see all the NMLers at least stop by.

Lets keep in touch and keep smoke free!

Roller with 35 DOF!

Outcomes

35 Replies

Brianairb2 Jul 26, 2017 11:05 AM
Just hit my 30th DOF!!!! Ready to explore and master the terrain of this No Man's Land...
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- rollercoaster831 @ Brianairb2 on Jul 26, 2017 11:32 AM
  Well I am glad you are here! We are all in this together and are quit buddies (if you will). I am going to take this NML thing head on! Glad you stopped by to check in!
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Youngatheart.7.4.12 Jul 26, 2017 11:47 AM
gregp136 is also in NML - he gave a check-in a try, but there didn't seem to be much interest!
Hope you are successful! Posting those links each week is probably a good idea, as new people will always be arriving to travel that land!
Nancy
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TW517 Jul 26, 2017 1:10 PM
I'm checking in, and I'm darn glad to be here! OK, not really. NML can be awful at times.

But since I have to be here, I'm darn glad I have you guys as company! I've got your back if you've got mine.

I'm sure I'm missing several people, but how about?:
Christophina ready2021 bookee6 ChangoGrande jbliesmer
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- rollercoaster831 @ TW517 on Jul 26, 2017 2:10 PM
  We are here for each other! While NML can be awful at times, let's make it as pleasant as possible! I've got your back...no worries!
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elvan Jul 26, 2017 1:47 PM
rollercoaster831 I think the more support there is for people in NML, the better, I DO HOPE that this catches on. I cannot tell you how important the weekly blogs were to me when I was in NML...there was humor and advice and a sense of never being alone. It was wonderful.
Ellen
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Diannnnn Jul 26, 2017 9:27 PM
See you guys in 6 days!
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ChangoGrande Jul 27, 2017 12:13 AM
Hey Roller rollercoaster831, I'm here with you and 68 DOF! Just been too busy to be checking in a lot lately.

All is well in NML for me, so I can offer the hope that it doesn't have to be hard (so far, at least!).

Onward and Upward,

Eric
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Christophina Jul 27, 2017 3:52 AM
Today I opened up the Out of the Ashes book and landed on page 218. Here is the daily reflection:
Feelings...
Smoking is a way of not feeling.
To stop smoking is to open myself up to feelings--good and bad. A barrier is removed from between myself and others--a mixed blessing. It makes it possible to feel at peace with myself, and with the larger reality I am part of.
Today, instead of focusing on "not smoking" (a non-action), I will instead strive to feel my feelings without judgement, and to be open to what is going on around me.

How weird is this. There's probably a logical explanation. I clicked on here to say thanks for the nudge TW517
and hi to everyone and to admit that I am skulking on the edge of the playground.
Anyway, when I clicked on the reply page the quote from Out of the Ashes book popped on.
Don't care how it appeared because I'm going to take it as a sign.
A reminder of something elvan told me about feeling my feelings.
Most days I feel I am drowning in my own tears.
I used to be a good swimmer, so I'd rather tread water for a while longer than start the anti-depressants prescribed by my Doctor.
Anyone want to play in the sandbox with me? Sniff. Bigger sniff.
Day 68 dof also ChangoGrande :-)
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- ChangoGrande @ Christophina on Jul 27, 2017 8:54 AM
  Feeling your feelings is key, Christophina. Burying them doesn't make them go away, it just hides them from sight (and actually, that hiding is just a delusion that we choose to believe--we haven't really hidden anything because we know those feelings are still there). So the feelings continue to effect us, no matter how well we convince ourselves that we have buried them or somehow mystically removed them.
  
  Glad to see you are hanging in there. Keep doing that, keep feeling the feelings, and you will get through to the other side. The only way out is through.
  
  Eric
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- TW517 @ Christophina on Jul 27, 2017 9:14 AM
  I'm much more emotional on this quit compared to past. I'm assuming because this time is cold turkey versus NRT's. My daughter was here visiting for a week. I dropped her off for her return fight at the airport yesterday, and as I pulled away, I broke down in tears. I'll see her again in September! I just saw her in April! The other day, my wife brought something to me. Don't even remember what it was now (like a pair of scissors or something). I teared up thinking, "Oh she didn't have to do that, I could have got it myself".
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- JACKIE1-25-15 @ Christophina on Jul 27, 2017 10:31 AM
  Good stuff, continue to share. I am @ 913 days and I can still learn. Thanks. Keep up the good work.
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maxie8 Jul 27, 2017 11:50 AM
Yup, I'm in. Today will be my 32nd day of freedom. Looking forward to many more!
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jbliesmer Jul 27, 2017 12:33 PM
i'm here! 82 DOF!

Jaime
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rollercoaster831 Jul 27, 2017 1:07 PM
Glad there are quite a few of us sitting here in NML! I will try to get a weekly post up on Wednesdays, but feel free to keep checking in here until next Wedensday! Feeling your feelings is a good thing because it is the only way you can begin to deal with those feelings. We are here for each other and I am confident NML will not get any of us if we reach out here first!

Thanks for being a part of this amazing journey with me!
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ready2021 Jul 27, 2017 5:32 PM
Im here got here late but I am here on this journey also 52 days and counting
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Diannnnn Aug 1, 2017 9:51 AM
I made it!!!!!!!

I have entered NML! Today I am just happy to be at this point in my quit. I have kept my eye on this milestone and I made it!

We can do this gang! We are together and supporting each other so we are definitely stronger than our Nicotine Addiction. Let's rock this time!

Thank you rollercoaster831 for starting this check in. I am thinking about quickly summarizing each day here, just like some of us do in the Keep Moving Challenge. Might help keep this thread fresh. Whatcha think?

Dian, 30 DOF !!!!!
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- rollercoaster831 @ Diannnnn on Aug 1, 2017 10:11 AM
  Welcome to NML!!! I am thrilled you made it and we will take this time on together! I think your idea to post a quick summary or just how you are doing on a daily basis is great to to keep the weekly thread alive! Great idea Diannnnn. I was already preparing the weekly post for tomorrow in my head.
  
  I am doing ok today. I am still not feeling 100%, but trying to get rest and heal the best I can.
  
  The disadvantages of smoking are many but those of quitting are none. The advantages of smoking are none but those of quitting are many.
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  - Diannnnn @ rollercoaster831 on Aug 1, 2017 11:03 AM
    Thank you for the welcome!
    
    Just take it slow and the healing will happen. I hope you are feeling 100% soon.
    
    I get to go for a follow up with my primary today and give him the 30 day news. I'm looking forward to that. I rarely get to report that I am doing healthy things. Normally I would go in with a sheepish look and admit I suck at doing the right things.
    
    Have you ever read any of the Dark Tower series by Stephen King? I keep picturing NML as a desert that is never asleep, where there are nasties hiding, waiting to attack our quit. I can't figure out why I am happy to be here....
    
    Dian
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    - Youngatheart.7.4.12 @ Diannnnn on Aug 1, 2017 11:58 AM
      Perhaps you are happy to be there because you know there is a beautiful oasis at the end of NML? With lush trees, and flowers, and a lake to laze away the days in?
      ;-)
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      - Diannnnn @ Youngatheart.7.4.12 on Aug 1, 2017 3:13 PM
        Yeah, that's it Nancy! Thanks!!
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- TW517 @ Diannnnn on Aug 1, 2017 12:03 PM
  Congrats on 30 days!!!!
  
  Your posts always make me smile! On one hand, I'm selfishly glad you're here in NML with us. On the other, you are so sweet and have helped me a lot, so I don't want anything bad to happen to you
  
  So, welcome... I guess?
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  - Diannnnn @ TW517 on Aug 1, 2017 3:14 PM
    Thank you! I am happy to be here, seriously. I'm so glad I make you smile, I really do try. Smiling makes us feel better, eh?
    
    Dian
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- ChangoGrande @ Diannnnn on Aug 1, 2017 11:50 PM
  Welcome to the club, Dian!
  
  And congrats on 30 days!
  
  Eric
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  - Diannnnn @ ChangoGrande on Aug 2, 2017 8:08 AM
    Thank you Eric!
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    - elvan @ Diannnnn on Aug 2, 2017 2:30 PM
      Congratulations Diannnnn, you are going to get through NML and have all kinds of supportive stories for those coming behind you.
      Ellen
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      - Diannnnn @ elvan on Aug 2, 2017 5:49 PM
        Thanks Ellen.
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Diannnnn Aug 1, 2017 8:04 PM
First day in NML was good . Probably helped that I had a counseling appt and a follow up with my primary care. Both are extremely pleased with my progress and feel I am on the right track all around.

I am bloody thrilled to have made it this far on my first quit. I have you guys' backs and I know you have mine...bring it on nicodemon! You can't have us back!!!!

(Somebody please remind me of that statement when I have a bad day, k?)

I don't miss smoking although I still have craves, as we all do. I like being able to breath, taste my food and spend time doing healthier and more productive things.

Here we go, Phase 2 of my quit. This should be interesting!

Dian
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Diannnnn Aug 2, 2017 9:03 PM
Ok my fellow NMLers....get posting! How does it feel? What have you noticed during this time? You may think it is nothing, but it may be something to someone!

My day was skewed by the cold I caught from the nephews. It's pretty mild, but it is the first one since I was hospitalized. Had major munchies this morning, but it may have been because I let my 24 hour patch go an extra 4 hours. It's ok to eat a pack of M&M' s right after breakfast, right?

Other than that I just had the normal passing thoughts of smoking. Those are easy because they aren't real craves, more like I simply forget I don't smoke anymore until the thought of smoking comes along. Then I just go, hmmm, "nope, don't want one." and I'm done. I know it won't always be that easy, but at this moment, I can't imagine being content smoking again. I would hate it!

What about you? Does anyone here miss hacking up a lung first thing in the morning?
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- Brianairb2 @ Diannnnn on Aug 2, 2017 10:59 PM
  I feel like I've had a pretty swift transition from my beginning to NML, but a couple of times over the past week I've had this weird shadow of fear come over me where I think, "what if I screw this up?"...I don't know what it is exactly, but then it's gone. I think that I've been so intent on staying on a relatively strict routine---working everyday, enjoying myself even when it's stressful, go to yoga afterward, then go to the gym, take a train or walk home, fix a meal, read, maybe watch a movie as long as I'm able to keep my eyes open, then sleep, and begin again the next day---that I'm starting to think that I really need to get a little variety to avoid fatigue, and maybe allow myself more time to sleep. I've decided to just do one or the other everyday (yoga or gym), and allow myself some time to work on a few creative household endeavors. And sleep. I need to sleep more. I also need to make more time to eat because I don't think I'm eating enough for all my activity, so maybe try to cook more?
  In regard to just cravings, they're just in passing, but I know past failures have come from me being in a bored or lonely state, and thinking "just one. I got this." when I know better.
  In all, I am swaggering cautiously through No Man's Land.
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  - Diannnnn @ Brianairb2 on Aug 3, 2017 8:56 AM
    Omg, you have that weird fleeting fear too? I'm just thankful I am able to send the thought on it's way relatively quickly. How easy would it be to dwell on that fear? No thanks!
    
    I think you may be on to something with changing things up a bit. Especially if you think nutrition and rest may be suffering. I think it is really important to take care of our bodies during this time. I have a theory that the better we feel physically allows us to more easily handle it when our addictions try to lead us astray. I think also that you can become addicted to anything if you have that tendency. There is such a thing as too much exercise. I try to remember, "Everything in moderation."
    
    You are doing great and none of us need those stinkin' smokes to get through life. We can do this!
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rollercoaster831 Aug 3, 2017 9:03 AM
Are we going to keep posting on this thread or use a weekly check in thread (I posted one yesterday)? I am open to either way, but I feel like there are two of these going now...
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- Diannnnn @ rollercoaster831 on Aug 3, 2017 9:55 AM
  I'm sorry, that is my fault. However you want to do it. I just didn't want to leave Brian hanging.
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constanceclum Aug 3, 2017 9:10 AM
I will soon be entering NML and will be happy to have a place to come, read and comment. In the passed I have failed at 6 to 8 weeks-not this time! We have to help each other through this period and also be accountable to each other which I always find helpful.

Connie 24 DOF
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Lady86 Aug 3, 2017 10:11 AM
NML role call... Melissa here 134 DOF. This only gets easier as more time goes by.
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NML Check In 7/26/2017

Outcomes

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