I'm still around. No slips. And still no casualties!
I see that I'm coming back to many wise words.
JoDee, I'm so happy that you made it through this recent change in your family. I like the "Don't add to overall stress by going through the stress of quitting again." You gotta tell us all about barhopping & Lady Gaga! I've seen some of her live performances on YouTube. She's a powerhouse!
eya, I'm sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. But I'm really glad that you're sticking with it!!! And I bet you look great and edgy with those new highlights. :) I'm still blond. I've been anxious, too. But I took your advice on the exercise and it helps SOOO much! And it's sustainable because I don't wear myself out.
Like you said, Aloha, I've had days recently when I've been calm and happy. This is very odd, because this is exactly the state I would normally attempt to achieve by smoking...and now my body is doing it naturally. I'm confused, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Also, even though I initially felt like I lost 25 IQ points, I seem to be growing back some brain cells lately. I'm having hours of crystal clarity. Unfortunately, for now, it's interspersed with many MORE hours of anxious boredom. :(
I think that, when I quit, I forgot to replace the "me time" I would get from smoking. Taking deep breaths into my belly and following them with a top-off at chest level--at regular intervals throughout the day--was part of my routine. So was taking a couple of minutes for myself. For some reason, I'm thinking of an TV advertisement for chocolate with a tagline, "My moment...my Dove." This girl sneaks into a covered doorway to have a
piece of candy. I'm going to try to do more of that...to pencil myself MUCH more frequently into my own schedule and then see how I feel in a couple of weeks. I'll set an alarm if I have to that would remind me: "Hey Rox, it's 11:30. It's YouTime." I'm gonna let you guys know how it works out. :)
lose the smoke but not the fire! I love that, eya!!!
--Rox