Three Months Today!

[Flo]

Hey! Today is August 18. Do you know what that means? It's exactly three months since I quit smoking. Three months. Imagine that. I almost didn't realize it. Imagine that.

Heard on the news this morning that the tobacco companies will have to put on cigarette packages that nicotine is addictive. Duh. The other item in the news following that was that second hand smoke can cause heart failure/strokes. Another duh. This last one especially gets me as some of the quit smoking sites really downplay second hand smoke because a lot of the quitters have spouses who are still smoking. Of course I understand what they are getting at - don't let the spouse stop them from quitting - but they should also get away from the second hand smoke - kick the smoker on the balcony for heaven's sake - Oh well, the ups and downs of marital bliss - anywho, I digress.

I went on an interview on Wednesday and it was only later that I realized that all three of us during the interview went for an hour - enjoying ourselves - chatting, laughing - without one mention of coffee or tea - becuase all three of us were non-smokers and it was 8:00 am and we had all had breakfast and had no need whatsoever of anythign else. There's no way that would have occured when I was a smoker.

Three months ago, my battle ground was the office. I found it hard to go the whole day without a break - not the cigarette - but the breaks - I was restless a lot of the time - now I find I can get lost for hours in my work without a thought. When I do break, it is to stretch, have something to eat - and I feel great after. Progress noted.

I am so very grateful I am free of cigarettes and for this site where I can yammer on and on about my quit.

[Bubb]

Go ahead and yammer on and on Flo...that's what this place is all about.

Stay proud, stand tall, enjoy the ride you're on as that's what this is all about. Enjoy your new life and do all the things you couldn't/wouldn't do before.... because you were too busy smoking.

Do dwell on your success but be mindful of the beast as he's quite clever. Don't allow the junkie thinkin' thing to sneak up on you. Don't become bored with your quit.

Keep posting because your enthusiasm can be contagious.

[Flo]

Thank you Bubb! I really appreciate your thoughtful response. You're right. I was too busy smoking or thinking of smoking or trying to smoke. And I like your advice to not become bored with my quit. You're right. This site is great because it lets us yammer on and on about our quit. It is a big deal for us and we know it but it's really helpful to have others acknowledge and join us in celebrating the quit.

I hardly ever get craves or thoughts of smoking now but yesterday, I got a bit stressed and thought, this is a perfect time to have a cigarette. It passed as quickly as it took to think it but it was there nonetheless so we do have to be aware of that and make sure we do not feed the beast as it can take your hand off.

I tell myself, cigarettes travel in packs. If you have one, you have the carton. It's over. So, NEVER TAKE ANOTHER PUFF. Not an option.

[Don]

Well there you go Flo!
Smoking is soooo over.
Don't look back...ahead is the way...and you're walking it!!

[Flo]

Einstein was right. Everything is a miracle. Thanks Don for the support.

[Ann]

CONGRATULATIONS!!
There is no going back only forward to another three months of being smoke free.

[Elaine]

3 months is huge, Flo! Kicking this habit is not easy but you have the right attitude and the right determination to make this quit stick. Way to go!

[Flo]

Thank you Ann and Elaine. I really love this site. It is intimate yet the library is vast and in the end, to keep one's quit, education is the key, which means alone time reading and thinking and applying the learning from the reading and keeping it close in times of need.

I got a new job which I start on September 5th. I won't be able to get on site as often for awhile during my first while on the job so if you don't see me around, that's why.

[slim]

Go with the FLO

Way to go Flo, 3 months is a wonderful milestone and you are beginning to see that life without smokes can be wonderful and rewarding. the reward is no longer the cigarette.....yeah!!!!!
Keep focused on your progress and post some juicy yammering anyime!

_slim

[Flo]

Thanks Slim! I am sure that one of the key ingredients in a successful quit, for me, is the support system and those who listen to my yammerings about not smoking.

[ncpops]

Yo Flo, way to go! Don't ya just love yourself? Stay with it, ktq.

Jimpops

[Flo]

Thanks Jimpops! Yes, I do love it. Isn't it great? Why did we all wait soooo long to do it for Pete's sake. No one told us, at least not me. Of course, when you're a smoker, the last thing you want to hear about is a quitter so...what a shame.

This is for the lurkers out there. Try it, it's really great and not as hard as you think it's going to be, not if you want it bad enough.