Hello Denim,

What a blessing it is to everyone here that you were able to take over this forum.  This place and the great people were so helpful when I quit almost 9 years ago.  Thanks so much for your dedication!

Anna

Breathing Fresh Air Since 10-1-2013

Douglas, 

Congratulations to you on 10 years free!  So wonderful you were able to help your brother in such an important way.  I am coming up on 9 years and so thankful for the help from this forum to make this my forever quit.  Never a thought of wanting to smoke ever again.

It can be done!

Anna

Breathing Fresh Air Since 10-1-2013

Marjorie,

Congratulations on 6 weeks!  That is a major accomplishment!  It does get easier with time, but it does take time and the improvements are gradual.  The day will come when you realize you are not thinking about smoking/not smoking.  When the smell of smoke starts to make you feel sick instead of making you wish to smoke, you will have turned a big corner, and maybe you already have.  Keep going forward and celebrate each week and month and finally your first year smoke free.  Celebrating each milestone keeps your quit fresh and exciting.  

Best wishes,

Anna

Breathing Fresh Air Since 10-1-2013

Hello Everyone,

Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking!  I made the decision (for the last time) almost 9 years ago and I will always be so thankful for the help I received on this forum.  I am here to tell you this can be done and you can be free from nicotine addiction.  I encourage everyone to read and post as much as you can for ideas and encouragement.  It takes some time but it does get better if you do not smoke.  If you smoke, you start over and it becomes a vicious circle.  I know how hard it is, we all do, but it is worth it for the end result.  The main thing that helped me after truly making up my mind to quit no matter what, was understanding the addiction.  The articles and posts helped me to understand why I could never have just one.  Some say they still romance the smoke long after quitting.  I can tell you it does not have to be that way if you change your mind and attitude about smoking.  I can honestly say I have absolutely no thought or desire to ever smoke again and that feeling came after about the first year.  Not smoking became a way of life without the constant effort.  Celebrate every day, week, and month of not smoking, then your first year, then two, etc.  This can happen for you and I promise quitting is the best thing you will ever do.  Keep it up and best wishes to all!

Anna

Breathing Fresh Air Since 10-1-2013

Hi Anna,

And a big congrats to you too!!  We did it right? We were hard core smokers and now it's almost as if we never smoked.  In my daily life it never occurs  to me to light a cigarette.  I never romance  a smoke, i just don't even ever think of lighting one.  Smoking, like other aspects of myself, is just one of those things that fell by the wayside.

 I disagree  with the notion that we are, and always will be, addicts. I'm not, nor are you.   Occasionally I will have a dream where I need to buy a pack of smokes.  In the dream I could not find a retailer who had them in stock and that would make me anxious.  But the dream normally takes a different course and buying smokes was no longer part of the "story". 

Good to hear from you.  I like to stop by to share my experience with those who are on this journey, to show that this really can be done.

Cheers partner!

Thanks Douglas.  Nine years free happened on Saturday.  In the beginning, it was impossible to imagine reaching one year, much less 9 or 10!  I know I am not actively addicted anymore but I do believe it lies dormant and just one could open the flood gates.  I am so thankful to have no desire, not even the least bit curious as to how it would feel.  Even the thought of breathing in smoke at this point makes me feel scared and sick.  Very nice of you to come around and encourage others.  Good for you and best wishes with a healthy life!

Anna

Breathing Fresh Air Since 10-1-2013