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Post by Don on Jan 3, 2024 15:37:18 GMT -5
TWENTY TWENTY FOUR!
Whether you quit twenty four years ago or just today, breaking that addiction is the best thing you can do for yourself.
To the casual visitor that reads this, know that this place was once a hub of people all looking for that escape to their smoking addiction. This site has since gone mostly quiet as the friends made during our personal struggles have moved on with our lives. This place still serves a purpose as a testament to that process of quitting, containing shared experiences, tips, and victories. Sometimes it shows how hard it is to stay quit and the temptations that can shake up a quit.
I will say that the struggle to quit is made exponentially better when you can share with others in the journey to be free. So with that, you should seek out support groups to help your battle. Use whatever tools and help aids available (gum, patches, meds, software like online forums and Quit-meters to show your progress)
It's not easy, but IT IS POSSIBLE TO QUIT AND STAY QUIT!
Happy New Year, Happy New YOU!
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Post by Don on Jan 1, 2023 10:59:03 GMT -5
A new year comes!
Still happy to see this old board running. It may not have the life blood running like it once had, but it and the (Just4U) board it came from, gave hope and encouragement in the tough battle to quit smoking. The pages on this site may have some goodies and useful nuggets tucked away in its archives.
If you are reading this, I assume you may have found it from searching the web as part of a resolution to end your addiction. That's a good thing as you will need help to keep your determination going. Long ago when the Internet was something new, I eventually found a small board with people all sharing the same struggle. It helped, immensely. You should continue to seek out that support and also use any and all information out there to keep up the fight.
At some point you should keep your quit date as your milestone. Sometimes that date will get reset, several times, especially around the 3's (3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months). I used to say that I had quit each night, but had to reset that counter each morning. Don't give up. We all learned to walk from early infanthood by falling often, getting up and wobbling repeating the process until we could run.
Some people even used 'quit counters' to demonstrate a count of cigarettes unsmoked and money not spent on such a filthy addiction. That alone provides motivation and a startling slap in the face of the impact smoking has us.
A support group is one way to help you stay quit, long after any other quit aids used in your battle (patches, gum, pills, etc.). Find support, you will not be fighting this battle alone!
-Don still quit: 10/27/99
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Post by Don on Jan 25, 2022 16:45:29 GMT -5
Hello Ladies! It has been quite a while and quite the journey. Still quit but now I have to quit the excess calories. 10/27/99
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Post by Don on Aug 13, 2018 20:55:14 GMT -5
Howdy do Country and everyone else!
It's been a while since i checked in. Saw a commercial today about Chantix and the actor saying he has no cravings at all.
Gotta say after so many years, no cravings at all for me too. And it's been quite a stressful year which in those years past, a cig was the crutch to cling on to. While i sit in a lull catching my breath, surely more good and bad times lay ahead. Cigs are not needed anymore and smoking never solved a stinking thing.
And so I too pop in to clang the smokeless bell and echo the ring which says Quitting can be done!
cigless since: 10-27-99
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Post by Don on Aug 15, 2017 20:40:13 GMT -5
Hey hey Slim, long time no see...and NO SMOKE!!
Glad to know you're still keeping Quit and you're sharing that news here. Bet your kids have grown some! (Mine certainly have.) As you see this place is more a memorial now as opposed to a thriving support site. While not as lively, this place still holds a good deal of info on how others coped and became Quit so for that I hope visitors take note and search\dig away. Every little bit of knowledge of what it takes to quit and the diary of struggles recorded here can only embolden and fortify all who seek help in their own private battle with smoking addiction. And so shall SmokeBusters (Just4U) live on. btw...when this board was originally set up it was pulling images from Photobucket who just recently changed their terms of service regarding 3rd party direct image linking from their basic accounts. As a result many of the images were replaced by a stock image from PB dictating their new policy that 3rd party linking requires a higher paid service plan with them and so I reverted some of the graphics here back to their defaults.
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Post by Don on Jul 8, 2017 21:22:20 GMT -5
I just for the heck of it swung by and saw life again on the board. It's been quite a long time that I had to go digging for my login info. By all means Karen, Toot away! You've fought the fight and earned the right. This place may be a quiet place now but it is a testament to those who have come and gone, who have quit and re-quit and re-quit again and those who remain quit. Buried deep in these forums are some nuggets of wisdom that others might find useful, even if at minimum it's to know others have shared the pain of quitting that the visitor too is experiencing. I forever thank the support I needed and received to get off that addiction. For those out there that wish to quit smoking, seek out for support! You need not fight alone. Until the next time....Stay Quit my friends!
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Post by Don on Jul 29, 2016 14:02:05 GMT -5
Hi Country!
I don't know what the visitation rate for this place is anymore. I too don't make the frequent pass I used to make.
I guess busy lives take us away, so true for me at least.
It's almost ironic that I now make a swing by this place as I am also reviewing my life insurance plans. My old 20 year plan is about to end and I qualify for the non-smoker rate on the new plan.
While I can't stop aging at least I'm glad to stop smoking.
I am also glad you kept the fires burning and checked in!
quit since: 10/27/99
PS. Thank you for telling us here about Dee's passing. A simple search of the posts brings her smiling face to us again. She was one of those solid strengths here, and to all of us.
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Post by Don on Oct 27, 2015 20:05:03 GMT -5
Passing through and I see you've stopped by too Karen and Country! Compassionate thoughts to you both for husbands missed. I wish good things had more permanence.
The Boy totaled his car a few weeks ago and took a late night ambulance ride. Except for a few bumps, bruises and back pain he is fine. We take blessings and lessons in the moments we're granted. With teenagers in the house, there's a lot more worry than in days past. Where's that cig now? Serenity NOW!
Oh well, I glad there's still a few stalwarts left visiting the forum. Good to see you, wish more would still check in from time to time to let us know how they've been.
Till next time, happy Quit all!
--Don 10.27.99
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Post by Don on Oct 27, 2015 19:52:40 GMT -5
10-27-1999...that was my quit date.
And here I am 16 years later still cigless.
Probably one of the few things I can look back on with absolutely no regrets. What a battle to get there. Countless quit dates, until finally one stuck.
About the only thing I ever miss was that illusion that smoking makes things like stress go away. Maybe it even did, for the 5 or 10 minutes it took to suck one in. Never did it solve anything though. That addiction thing, oh that's the worst, worst thing ever. Mental slavery.
Sixteen years ago, there was no such thing as "vaping" either. I'm not really sure if that's any better with regard to addiction. The NicoBeast still plays his game, still pulls the strings. A different tool, but same trap I bet.
I was never one to use one of those 'quit meters', but the pile of unsmoked cigs is unfathomable and amount of money I spent elsewhere (as if I would really save every dime not otherwise spent on smokes) would be eyebrow raising.
Smoking sucked. Quitting sucked. Staying Quit, glorious! In one word, Wow. 16 years, Wow.
It's extremely important to note that my Quit was not a solo act. There was support along the way. My spouse, this site (and that what came before) and the people I met online herein, going through the same agony. That was key! I've put some time between my last drag, but I haven't forgotten the hard path stayed on and the 'voices' of those cheering alongside. You helped, you made an impact and a difference. Thank you, all you lovely Quitters!
10.27.99...and still going, smokeless.
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Post by Don on Sept 21, 2015 21:18:46 GMT -5
I try to swing by every so often. To be honest I thought I was the only one to cruise by (besides Ann).
This place has become more of a memorial to those hard days of quitting. Hopefully that's enough of an inspiration to others to see that quitting is possible and that we move on, smokeless into whatever may come.
When I started this smokeless journey, my son was a wee little lad. now he towers over me, is a senior in HS, has a sister who's never seen me smoke and is a little young lady in her own right. What a long fruitful trip it's been. I love being able to look back on things.
I know everyone has had their ups and (very) serious downs. Life makes it so hard sometimes to stay smokeless. No judgements here.
Personally, quitting has been one of those things I can look back on and say I am so proud to have done so.
I still remember that smell. I smell it on those who still come into the office, or ride the elevator. It's an almost fond memory, but glad I'm not experiencing it first hand. To get really weird, I smelled it in my car one day for a full ride to work, perhaps a visit in my passenger seat from my recently deceased smoker brother (and if so, thanks for the visit Rob).
We are the smokeless survivors. We carry on and carry forward. Thank you, ALL of you!
Cigless since 10/27/99
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Post by Don on Jan 1, 2015 14:38:40 GMT -5
Two Thousand Fifteen! Time marches on. What a long journey it's been. For many, the new year rings in a resolution to go smokeless. For others, smokeless-ness continues. I've been on the smokeless road a long time with you all. Smoking is a faint memory. I don't regret quitting one single bit. That's probably one of the few things I can honestly no regrets about. 2014 was a pretty stressful year. I know many of you had hardships and many of you got on with your smokeless lives. 2015 will be no less stressful. This year I'm already planning on going crazy, got the reservations all ready, just got to find time to book the rubber room. But I will LIVE 2015 SMOKELESS! I invite you all to the smoke-free zone as well. Happy New Year everyone! I hope there's an overabundance of good coming your way. Cheers!
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Post by Don on Sept 13, 2014 12:05:39 GMT -5
Hi Country!
Sorry to hear you're having health issues. The silver lining is that you aren't smoking anymore and adding insult to injury.
As for sleep study, I don't know what issues you are having with sleep, but if it's sleep apnea like I have, there are some treatments that can help with that.
Agreed, smoking doesn't do a whole lotta good. Takes your money, time, health, self-esteem, taste, smell and adds a smell onto you. Not worth it at all really.
Hope you get some good news soon.
10-27-99
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Post by Don on Aug 13, 2014 19:25:05 GMT -5
I'm here and still kicking it!
Country - good news (i think?) Hopefully a round of antibiotics can knock that out. Smokeless lungs heal faster.
Can't believe summer is about 2/3 over and the kids are heading back to school next week. I think the kids need it, they've been sleeping until noon and staying up late into the wee hours. Vampire kids. Haven't done much of anything this summer or all year for that matter...too much going on with the job. I'm starting to hate computers, I already hate meetings. Don't miss the smoker life, but those 5~10 minutes to decompress outside the door every hour would be nice again.
10-27-99
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Post by Don on Jul 1, 2014 17:20:05 GMT -5
Oh what the heck, anyone still out there?
It's July (really-already!) and time for a call of the Roll!
I'm still smokeless, don't care to smoke, don't need to smoke, hardly ever hear the NicoBeast anymore.
That isn't to say that life is smooth and easy. No, nope, life is as hectic as ever. I'm more busy than ever. Free time-nil. Work taking all the time and not giving any pleasure back.
In my addicted years, oh my would I light up. I can't imagine myself doing that now...I mean, what's the point? It wouldn't solve anything. Just another cigarette wasted and another cloud in my lungs.
When I started this journey with you all, my son was just a little tiny tyke (The Girl) wasn't even born then. Now, The Boy stands taller than me and drives my butt around. Glad to see they haven't lit up nor have the inkling to.
Breaking the chain of addiction hopefully means breaking it across generations...but in reality it is their choice.
I made my choice and I am much better for it.
I choose to remain smokeless, no matter what!!
cigless since: 10/27/99
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Post by Don on May 29, 2014 14:31:01 GMT -5
Wow Country, I am sorry for your loss. Unfortunately I have no words of wisdom for this. And even so, everyone handles loss in their own way. About the only advice I can offer is to avoid self-destructive grief. I know you are hurting and all too often we neglect what's good for us while dealing with grief. Withdrawing from the world and ourselves is only helpful in the short term, but long-term it inhibits the ability to find happiness in things. Just like smoking boards, there are support groups for those dealing with loss. My brother has been gone for 2 years and my sister in law relies on a support group she feels comfortable with. Bend an ear to those who will listen. Lean on those who offer an arm to hold when the walk is hard.
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