Like Lori said, stay in the moment.  I have, and I cant believe i am in the 11th month. Most of the time I don't think about it and it's ok to be around smokers. That the fact that even if something triggers my addicted brain, and I feel weak, the fact that I do not act on it shows that I am controlling my addicted part of the brain and not the other way around.  As time goes by, every time I see someone smokes, I'm starting to see the ridiculousness of it. I mean, what are we doing? Sucking on a smoking stick, inhaling smoke into our lungs to get a fix. and we were fooled to believe it's the cool thing to do. It's never too late to kick it. Lets go!

Stay strong, Andrew. Try to avoid all the triggers this weekend.

Look forward to tomorrow.

Paul

Oh yeah we were fooled.  Fooled to think we NEEDED it.  Of all the things we may need, smoking is definitely not one of them.  I am sure most smokers know that smoking is bad for them but have talked themselves into the "I cannot quit" mind set.  Pity

How is it going Andrew?

:)

To: Xvaper

How am I feeling?

Wonderful, thanks for asking.

Day 4 and feeling strong. Although I do get some minor cravings, I continue to chant "I just don't smoke anymore". Thinking about all of the things that I miss, but the fact is that smoking did absolutely nothing for me. It blows me away to think that I fooled myself for over 40 years. A total waste of time, money, self-esteem, The list goes on and on.

I am getting serious about changing my lifestyle. I have always been a list maker. The list contains things such as what I need to do, other things that I want to do -  goals aspirations, rewards. Things that make me feel good about myself. 

I am reaching for the stars today. I have so much more than I have ever imagined. Its time to act 'while am feeling like this - it's almost a spiritual thing that my higher power has enabled me to see clearly what I need to do. One thing is dealing with my addiction to nicotine and lots of other wonderful things that I can actualize and act on. 

Approaching my 70's I I now feel that have the power to change anything in my life that I chose to. It's an exciting feeling. Go for it Andrew!

To all - thanks for your support. As I read your posts,  I feel empowered to continue my journey to a smoke-free life. 

In gratude,

Andrew

This is amazing Andrew. I am so impressed with all that you are doing. The psychological work is so important, in fact crucial.

You may be one of those lucky ones that stops and never even think about smoking again. But if you do get cravings, it is not you, it is your addicted part of your brain. Some people cope by demonizing these thoughts, caused by the 'Nicodemon' monster that lives in your brain.

Recently though, I have started treating that part of my brain, the Basal ganglia as I learned it's called, with a bit more kindness. I realize that it is not its fault for having been tricked to consider nicotine as essential for survival as food and drink. This was caused by my actions. I don't blame myself either, i was operating under an addiction to an available drug, which is not even recognized by some as addictive as 'hard' drugs. The culture I lived in encouraged smoking as something  cool, through a spectacularly effective long campaign devised by the tobacco industry, to keep cigarettes ingrained in culture and acceptable in society as a 'habit'. Keep us updated!

Hello Andrew,

I’m happy to read your message! And I’m inspired by it too! 
It’s wonderful to hear you are reaching for the stars. You’re over the biggest hump. Those stars are there for the taking. I think you should grab one and put it in your pocket every single time you make it over a crave wave! Yes Sir. 
 

Quitting takes so much getting out of our heads. That is no easy task for us humble humans. We know for the most part that smoking did nothing for us. We know the destruction, manipulation, loss of control firsthand. Yet, when we stop, we lament the loss. As if we lost a friend. I honestly believe it goes back to teaching our brains when we were teens to develop this connection. I believe that connection halted some other wiring process in our developing brains and we learned so young to connect the feeling that nicotine gave us with a lot of positive things.

I have also read and come to understand quite a bit about neuroplasticity. Our brains never stop rewiring! That is one of the most amazing, fantastic, glorious gifts! The take away with it is, we aren’t dead yet. We can change anything we set our minds to. Some things are easier than others for sure. 
Is it possible to turn the thought process a little? Like, say, instead of saying “ I don’t smoke anymore” saying out loud “I’m smoke free! Yippee!” Of course whatever works for you works for you. I’ve found that consciously reframing things into a positive statement, though it does take effort, is helpful for me. 
Either way, 4 days is rocking it!!! Keep up the strong work! 

Hey Andrew,

How are you doing? 
Hang tough. You are so worth it! Every hour that passes you are stronger. It may not seem like it in certain moments, but, you really are.

Let us know how you’re doing! Don’t forget we are here and to post an SOS if needed! 
You’ve got this!!!

Yo Lore -

Thanks for checking in.

I'm doing fine. No big time cravings. Been keeping busy around the house taking care of business on the computer, going to doctors appointments and otherwise living the retired life.

I have 5 days under my belt. Not sleeping real well, up in the very early morning but time passes quickly that time of the day. I have been journaling almost every day, capturing my thoughts and feelings. Its great to read months and years later. It gives me a perspective on my life that I tend to forget about.

I do feel stong and am confident that this is going to be the time. Using patches and lozenges to ease the withdrawls, sometimes I wonder if I really need them. I have 28 days before I fly on my own. 

Again, thanks for the attention. Hope you are doing well.

Good Day,

Andrew

Hi Andrew!

My pleasure! How is your Friday going? 
I didn’t realize you were retired. What a fantastic time to not smoke! New chapter of life, time to do things that bring you joy and inspire you, no work stress, so many good things! Time to lay down and nap if and when you want, or go for a stroll. First day of the rest of your life every day. Nice. 
It’s a good feeling to feel like you don’t need the patch or whatever. Stick with your plan though. Show the addict you are committed. That you made a decision and plan and that you are following through. No harm done. 
 

Im doing well, thank you! Covid finally got me. Went to the gym last Saturday and had a great work out, came home and laid in the sun (which we have had very little of this Spring) , started to feel congested. Then came in and took a nap, woke with 101.9° fever, headache, cold symptoms. I knew right away. Did a home test that was positive. Went in to my work next day as I thought I better have it documented if I have it and sure enough positive. Fever only lasted less than 24 hours then a few days of lots of snot and pretty tired. Now I’m feeling good and ready to get back at ‘em! I am so very grateful when I finally got it that it is Omicron (version who knows) and not the original or Delta. It is nothing short of a miracle I made it this long since I’ve worked in it every day since day 1. I have colleagues that were not so lucky. Such a strange journey this has been for the world. 
 

Hang tough!!! Embrace the feeling of being smoke free! Celebrate!!! 
 

Talk soon!